We are Here to Help Answer Your Questions
Please see below for answers to many of the most common questions we receive, and feel free to Contact Us if you need more support.
Our shelters are Open Door with Managed Admissions, meaning that we accept all incoming animals, but we do ask that surrenders are made by appointment to ensure we are prepared to care for each animal. We do have to euthanize some animals but only for reasons pertaining to health or temperament. We do not impose a time limit on an animal’s stay and strive to find new ways to treat animals with medical or behavior problems, as well as enrich the pets in our shelters. Our adoption rate is well-above the national average.
There is no set time limit. We hold healthy, adoptable animals until we find them homes.
Stray dogs without ID tags found by a Good Samaritan are held for two (2) days. If the found dog has ID tags or a microchip, per PA State Dog Law, the dog will be held for five (5) business days once a certified letter is delivered to the address of the owner.
There is no holding period for stray cats without ID tags that are dropped off at our shelter. If the cat does have ID tags or a microchip, the owner is notified and given 24 hours to respond.
All domestic animals without ID tags brought to our shelter from City of Pittsburgh Animal Care & Control are held for three (3) days. Animals with ID tags are held for ten (10) days. After that time, animals are evaluated to ensure they are suitable for adoption.
No, we are unable to offer this service. You must contact your local animal control agency.
Yes! They may be dropped off at any time. Please see our Wish List for some of our other needs.
No! We are supported by the generous donations of the public. To make a contribution, Donate to us or call 412-345-0345.
Please contact our Humane Investigations Department at 412-345-7300 x245.
Yes! All dogs over the age of 3 months are required by law to have a license.
Please visit our Wildlife FAQ and call our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at 412-345-7300 x500 for further instructions.
Please see an Adoption Counselor or call the Adoptions Department at 412-345-7300 x215 (East) or x251 (North).
We request at least a $25 donation to offset the costs of taking in an animal. As an open door shelter, however, no animal is ever refused for an unwillingness or inability to make that donation.
No, payment is due at the time of service. Please speak to our Clinic Manager at 412-345-7300 x223 (East) or x253 (North) regarding special circumstances for sick animals who need immediate care.
Gestation is approximately 63 days. However, in keeping with the mission of Humane Animal Rescue, we encourage you to have your animals spayed or neutered in order to control the pet population. Please see our Veterinary Clinic section for details on our many programs to prevent unwanted animals from making their way to our shelter.
Yes and no. The City of Pittsburgh Spay & Neuter program for community cats will resume accepting applications for up to five cats per household as a temporary extension of the 2023 contract. This application and its requirements will remain in effect until a new contract is executed for this program within the next few months. At that time, The City of Pittsburgh will have new, separate online forms for both community cats and pets with revised criteria. Until then, the Spay Neuter Program for owned pets is still paused and we ask you to check this webpage for updates. Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh does offer other various discounted programs. Please visit our Spay/Neuter section for more information or call us at 412-345-7300 x. 211. Spaying or Neutering your pet is critical to controlling the animal population.
Yes. Our clinics offer discounted spays & neuters for outdoor and/or feral cats. Click to our Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) section for more information or contact our Clinic at 412-345-7300 x211 or our Pet Helpline at 412-345-0348.
No. All of our shelter animals are on a strict diet so that we can better monitor any health problems. We do not accept opened food. Please visit our Wish List for more specifications and acceptable items.
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Your gift today will help save an animal’s life. We rely on donations from friends like you to rescue, shelter, and find homes for pets. Please be as generous as you can to help us give them the care they need and the love they deserve.
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