Overview
This pantry supports neighbors caring for community cats, feeders, TNR trappers, modest income pet owners. Our geographic area began with the 18 neighborhoods of the Northside, eventually expanding to neighboring communities and now including all of Allegheny County. The vast majority of our caretakers are on the Northside or in the West End communities.
We distribute monthly based on donations. Distributions are divided into different weeks. Volunteers deliver the food. This became necessary after theft made our previous distribution system unsecure.
Typically we distribute 6-10 pounds of dry and 5-10 cans of wet food. This is intended to be a supplement to other pet food resources.
Register at bit.ly/PetFolxPetFoodPantry
Volunteer at bit.ly/PLCVolunteer
Impact
We started in October 2024 with 25 caretakers and pet owners. That number slowly grew over time. By October 2025, we neared 100 households. When SNAP benefits were cut, we gained another 25 caretakers.
Growth continued slowly until April when another 25 caretakers registered, something we attribute to the economy.
Also in April, we began a partnership with local mutual-aid distros (food distributions) working in vulnerable communities. We started in Homewood and quickly expanded to Bloomfield, Braddock, Downtown Pgh, East Liberty, Hill District, Northside and South Side providing a total of 100 bags. We remain open to similar partnerships.
Then a street outreach project reached out to request food for 50 folx. This group was willing to repack so we are able to redirect large bags. They can also pick up their allotment.
As of June 2026, we are serving 300+ caretakers. The distros and outreach programs don’t track pet ownership and caretakers, but among our directly registered folx – 77 are cat colony caretakers.
We are the only pet food pantry that serves colony caretakers and the only one that delivers.
To the best of our knowledge, we support over 1,000 animals.
In January 2026, we brought together a dozen volunteers to make winter cat shelters from styrofoam. We made 42 that day and in total, distributed over 70. This proved useful during recent winter storms.
How To Donate
Donations of dry and canned pet food, treats, and other items can be dropped off at the bins at
Due to recent theft, we’ve closed our donation spots. You can make arrangements to drop off food by emailing folx@pghlgbtq.org
Financial Donations
Financial donations through our 501c3 allow us to purchase in bulk quantities and fill specific needs such as Urinary Tract or Kitten foods.
- GoFundMe bit.ly/GivePghCatFolx
- PayPal Charities Paypal.me/PittsburghLGBTQ
- Venmo @PittsburghLGBTQ
- CashApp $PittsburghLGBTQ
- Zelle folx@pghlgbtq.org
- Check payable to Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities
What To Donate
We have two wishlists
- Chewy bit.ly/TheChewyList
- Amazon bit.ly/TheRuffList
- Dry and canned cat food, any size or brand
- Dry and canned dog food, any size or band
- Dental treats
- Cat nip
- Cat litter
- Paper plates and bowls (no styrofoam)
- Chemical hand warmers (to keep food/water edible longer in bitter weather)
- Bird food, rodent pellets, fish food etc are welcome.
- Grocery bags, clean and without rips or holes.
Volunteer Needs
- Organize a pet food drive at work, in your neighborhood, as a class or youth program project.
- Drivers to deliver food to caretakers. All areas of Allegheny County, you can set your own territory. You must be able to lift 20 lbs.
- We need a driver for a Mon Valley route of McKeesport, West Mifflin, Dravosburg, Port Vue, etc.
- We need a driver for the Allegheny Valley – New Ken, Tarentum, Natrona Heights, Penn Hills, etc.
- Drivers to pick up donations and bring to the Northside, occasional direct deliveries.
- N
- Register to volunteer at bit.ly/PLCVolunteers
Notes
- A variety of brands and sizes helps us accomodate special needs, finicky eaters, and colony sizes
- We need bags sized 3-5 lbs and 10-15 lbs
- Partial cartons of canned food or litter are welcome
Relevant Links