Pittsburgh pet pantry expresses frustration after multiple items stolen

ON WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW YOU CAN HELP. THESE BINS HERE USED TO BE FILLED WITH PET FOOD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED, AND ITEMS TO HELP KEEP YOUR PET WARM, SUCH AS A HEATED FOOD BOWL. BUT LAST WEEK, THE PRESIDENT OF THIS LOCAL CHARITY TELLS ME SOMEONE CAME HERE AND STOLE IT ALL. IT’S IT’S REALLY DISAPPOINTING. SEEING THE EMPTY BINS, SUE KERR TELLS ME, IS UPSETTING. THE PET FOOD AND ITEMS STORED HERE WERE DONATED AND DESIGNATED FOR THOSE STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR PETS. IT WAS SHOCKING TO ME THAT SOMEBODY WOULD DISRUPT OUR LITTLE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF. WE’RE GRASSROOTS, COMMUNITY LEVEL PROJECT. KERR HELPS RUN PITTSBURGH’S DOCTOR JOHN P RUFFING, VMD, PET FOOD PANTRY, A CHARITY OPERATED BY VOLUNTEERS AND WITH DONATIONS. KERR TELLS ME THEY FOCUS ON FAMILIES AND THEIR PETS, INCLUDING RUNNING WORKSHOPS TO TEACH PET OWNERS HOW TO MAKE THESE SHELTERS AND OFFERING HEATED ONES, ALONG WITH HEATED BOWLS AND, OF COURSE, FOOD, WHICH KERR SAYS SOMEONE HELPED THEMSELVES TO. LEAVING THE 100 FAMILIES THEY SUPPORT WITH NOTHING. A LOT OF FOLKS REALLY RELY ON THIS TO GET THROUGH THE MONTH, AND IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. KERR SAYS FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE THAT AWAY BY TAKING IT ALL IS FRUSTRATING. WELL, FOR WHOEVER TOOK IT, I HOPE THAT THE ANIMALS THAT YOU FED IT TO NEEDED IT, AND IT’S UNFORTUNATE THAT YOU DIDN’T JUST ASK US. WE WOULD HAVE GLADLY GIVEN YOU FOOD. NOT ALL OF THE FOOD, BUT YOU KNOW, WHATEVER YOU WOULD NEED. IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP THIS PET FOOD PANTRY, WHETHER YOU’D LIKE TO VOLUNTEER OR DONATE TO HELP THEM REPLACE THESE STOLEN ITEMS, WE HAVE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, INCLUDING LINKS TO DO SO AT WTAE.COM COVERING ALLEGHENY COUNTY FROM THE MANCHESTER NEIGHBORHOOD OF PITTSBURGH.

Updated: 6:17 PM EST Jan 20, 2026

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A local Pittsburgh charity is grappling with the theft of pet food and supplies meant for families in need, leaving its bins empty and the 100 families it supports without essential resources. “It’s really disappointing,” said Sue Kerr, president of Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities. The stolen items, which included heated food bowls, were donated to help those struggling to feed their pets.”It was shocking to me that somebody would disrupt our little, you know, kind of grassroots, community-level project,” Kerr continues.Kerr helps run Pittsburgh’s Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry, a volunteer-operated charity that relies on donations. The organization not only provides food but also runs workshops to teach pet owners how to make shelters and offers heated ones along with heated bowls.”A lot of folks really rely on this to get through the month, and it makes a big difference,” Kerr said.Kerr expressed frustration over the theft, saying, “For whoever took it, I hope that the animals that you spread it to needed it. And it’s unfortunate that you didn’t just ask us. We would have gladly given you food. Not all of the food, but, you know, whatever you would need.”Here are some ways to donate to the Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry:GoFundMe: bit.ly/GivePghCatFolx Venmo: @PittsburghLGBTQ Paypal.me/PittsburghLGBTQ CashApp: $PittsburghLGBTQ Zelle: [email protected]: bit.ly/TheChewyListAmazon: bit.ly/TheRuffListGently used items are also welcome. Other needs include donation drop-off spots, volunteer drivers, and trail cameras. Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

PITTSBURGH —

A local Pittsburgh charity is grappling with the theft of pet food and supplies meant for families in need, leaving its bins empty and the 100 families it supports without essential resources.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Sue Kerr, president of Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities. The stolen items, which included heated food bowls, were donated to help those struggling to feed their pets.

“It was shocking to me that somebody would disrupt our little, you know, kind of grassroots, community-level project,” Kerr continues.

Kerr helps run Pittsburgh’s Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry, a volunteer-operated charity that relies on donations. The organization not only provides food but also runs workshops to teach pet owners how to make shelters and offers heated ones along with heated bowls.

“A lot of folks really rely on this to get through the month, and it makes a big difference,” Kerr said.

Kerr expressed frustration over the theft, saying, “For whoever took it, I hope that the animals that you spread it to needed it. And it’s unfortunate that you didn’t just ask us. We would have gladly given you food. Not all of the food, but, you know, whatever you would need.”

Here are some ways to donate to the Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry:

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Gently used items are also welcome.

Other needs include donation drop-off spots, volunteer drivers, and trail cameras.

Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

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