A no-kill cage free shelter that rescues abused and abandoned animals

Animal Full Life Rescue (AFLR) was established in January, 1994. In the years preceding its inception, Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh's East End had undergone many community changes. As a result, many animals were abandoned and left to roam and breed freely. AFLR's mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and place those we can in homes. Those which cannot be placed will stay with us and live a full happy safe life free from dangers of living on the street.

A PRAYER FOR ANIMALS
Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals -
especially for animals who are suffering,
for any that are lost or deserted or frightened or hungry.
We entreat for them all thy mercy and pity
and for those who deal with them,
we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the merciful.
(Albert Schweitzer)


WHO WE ARE
We are a no-kill, cageless shelter located in 4 former homes in Wilkinsburg, PA. Many of our animals are unadoptable and will live out their lives with us - similar to an animal rest or retirement home. We desperately need loving homes for our adoptable pets. I know that if you could open your home to one you would receive love back unconditionally. They have so much love to give in return for a safe and happy place to live. Please call if you think you might be able to adopt or know someone who may be able to. We do require several references and also ask that if the pet does not work out for any reason that he or she be returned to us. Also, a visit in four to six weeks must be agreed to - just a short visit with you and your new pet. After our adoption questionnaire has been completed, returned and approved, visits are by appointment only. We will do our best to match you with a dog or cat that is compatible with your family's lifestyle. Our goal is to find the best match for both pet and adoptive family.

In trying to think of a name for our organization I began to try to find a way to make people understand what our goals would be and how I felt about our role as care givers. I know that we cannot create life and we do not have the right to end life. With this belief comes the responsibility of caring for animals for their full life span. I will not permit an animal to be "Put Down" for any reason except severe suffering that cannot be relieved. I know that some would disagree with this statement, but I need to do what is in my heart. So to answer my own questions... what is full life?... it is a life that continues regardless of age, beauty or disability. We have many pets with us now that have problems that prevent them from being adopted. They were abused and abandoned but they are safe now and they will not die unwanted. They will die with dignity and surrounded by love. This is the meaning of Animal Full Life Rescue, Inc.

We Are All Creatures Of Our God
If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of compassion and pity,
you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man.
Saint Francis of Assisi


We currently have 80 cats and 5 dogs. We are currently full and not taking any additional animals.

Animal Full Life Rescue was established in 1990 when Cathy Campano and her daughter, Diana, started trapping a colony of cats abandoned by owners who were evicted by HUD code enforcement from a housing complex which remains boarded up; we applied for a received 501(c)(3) status in 1998. We have sometimes accepted from other shelters animals unadoptable because of age or temperament. Please spay and neuter.

NOTE that our facility is not open to the public without an appointment. The pets in foster homes might be available for evening and weekend appointments.


ADOPTING A FRIEND
Our animals are adopted as inside pets only. They must be loved and cared for humanely, cared for medically and not be sold, loaned, given away or abandoned or mutilated in any way by docking, cropping, declawing, etc. A completed adoption questionnaire and interview are required prior to scheduling an appointment to see our animals available for adoption. An adoption donation is required for the animals to help cover our expenses. Warm and loving homes are needed for our animals. Won't you give them a chance? And please spay and neuter.


WHY SPAY & NEUTER?
often produces a better behaved and calmer pet
reduced pet cancer risks later in life
reduced pet populations giving others a chance to be adopted and reducing need for euthanasia


VISITING US
Visits BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. We are in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, which is located 10 minutes east of Pittsburgh, PA. We are about 20 minutes from the Monroeville Exit #6 of I76 (PA Turnpike) and I376 (Parkway East). A foster home is located in Monreoville, PA which is located 20 minutes east of Pittsburgh, PA. The foster home is about 10 minutes from the Monroeville Exit #6 of I76 (PA Turnpike) and I376 (Parkway East).
FOR ADOPTIONS ONLY, if you are interested in one of our animals:

Animal Full Life Rescue: 412-371-7446
Cat foster home (Deb): 412-646-4525 Email: wilsongalanos@verizon.net

Animal Full Life Rescue
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221




DONATIONS
We try to provide a consistent and high-quality diet for the dogs and cats. Many were abused at some time in their lives and need quality nutrition and a consistent diet is better for their digestion. Following is a list of our everyday needs for animal care:

Pedigree or Alpo canned dog food - we use 14 cans per day
Purina Indoor Cat Chow (dry food) - we use 40 17-lb bags each month
Friskies or 9Lives canned cat food (mixed with dry twice a week in the cat house, given unmixed to the sick and babies every day - total 85-100 cans per week)
Purina Dog Chow (dry food)
bleach - for cleaning
Dawn dish soap - for cleaning
garbage bags - we use 8 every day (240/month)
paper towels (picking up big messes)
toilet paper (picking up small messes)
new or clean used blankets, towels, sheets, small rugs
bird seed & peanuts (we feed the birds and other wildlife, too)
clean newspapers (used in cat boxes, we do not use litter)
wooden ladders (2 ladders and a couple boards make a cat play/scratch area)

We also take monitary donations all of which go to pay for animal food, utilities, upkeep of facilities and property, repairs, medical expenses, taxes. AFLR is a 501(c)(3) so that your donations are tax deductible.

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Adopting a pet? Wait a minute!
It can happen to the best of us. You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws and green eyes, just begging for your attention. Or maybe it's a gorgeous, tail-wagging Labrador mix who couldn't be more friendly.

You take one look, and the next thing you know, you're walking down the pet food aisle at the local supermarket.

If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.

Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. Dogs and cats are living beings who require lots of time, money, and commitment over 15 years' worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.

Things to consider.
The fact that you're thinking about adopting a pet from an animal shelter means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you make that final decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think about these questions:

Why do you want a pet? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's 'the thing to do' or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.

Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to properly care for them.

Can you afford a pet? The monetary costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

Are you prepared to deal with special problems that only a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.

Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have other restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.

Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Problem-free pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is a wise choice.

Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Adopting a large or energetic dog to share your small apartment, for example, is not a good idea he likely won't have enough space to move around in, and giving him enough exercise will require quite a bit of activity on your part. Choose an animal who will be comfortable in your surroundings.

Do you know who will care for your pet while you are away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors, or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.

Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible pet owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.

Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Get an animal for life
Sure, it's a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through the animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt a pet is so important.

Many of the shelter's homeless animals are puppies and kittens, victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at the shelter who are more than a year old, animals who were first obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got a pet.

Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love for the life of the pet.

Reprinted with permission from The Humane Society of the United States.