Humane Animal Rescue clinic opens for low-cost drive-by vaccines

Low-cost vaccine clinics at Humane Animal Rescue are popular, regularly attracting 200 to 300 people with cats and dogs, but they have been suspended because of coronavirus issues.

One clinic is back in a modified way that will keep people safely away from each other.

They’re calling it a drive-thru clinic, and it’s Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the shelter at 6926 Hamilton Ave. in Homewood.

Pet owners need to print and fill out a form from the www.humaneanimalrescue.org website and bring it with them to the clinic. On the home page, click on “veterinary care” and then on “drive-through vaccination clinic.” Also bring a copy of your pet’s prior vaccinations.

When you get to the shelter, stay in your car and check in by phone. Put a leash on your dog and a muzzle if it is aggressive or reactive. Cats must be in a carrier.

The staff will come to your vehicle when it’s your pet’s turn. Dogs will get shots through the window of your vehicle. Staff will carry cats in carriers into the shelter to be vaccinated and return them to owners.

Nail trims and other services will not be offered at this clinic.

Credit cards are the preferred method of payment, but cash will be accepted. Checks will not be accepted.

Dog vaccines are $10 rabies, $14 DHPP, $11 bordetella, $12.50 leptospirosis, $20 Lyme disease and $35 canine influenza.

Feline vaccines are $10 rabies, $14 FVRCP and $18 for feline leukemia.

Other vaccination clinics are expected to be held on July 12, Sept. 13 and Nov. 15 at the Homewood shelter and Dec. 13 at the North Side shelter.

Black Cat Market reopens

The cats in the Lawrenceville coffee and treat shop are once again welcoming visitors but with modifications to keep everyone safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Black Cat Market reopened on Monday, but people can’t just drop in when they feel like it. They have to call 412-408 -2218 make an appointment to visit the cat room.

Visitors will have to wear masks, and the number of people inside at any one time will be limited. All will be required to wash their hands before they visit with cats and again when they leave the cat room.

The shop and the cat room will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Not venturing out yet? You can go to www.blackcatmarketpgh.com or the Facebook page to see photos of the current cats and livestreaming video of action in the cat room. You can also order cat-themed merchandise from that site. Go to both to check on operating hours, which are subject to change.

Adoptions through Frankie’s Friends Cat Rescue have continued during the quarantine. A total of 139 cats have been

adopted since the cafe opened in September 2018.

Horse birthday party

The 17th birthday of a standardbred horse named Penn is coming up, and the group that rescued him from the meat market is celebrating it on Facebook Live.

See the Facebook Events page “Penn’s 17th Virtual Birthday Bash” to find out how to participate on June 13 at noon.

A $5 donation puts you in for a live gift card drawing.

Penn lives on a Beaver County farm along with Penny and other horses rescued by Pennsylvania Equine Rescue and Retirement Foundation.

Go to perrf.org for more information.

Andrew Stein/Post-Gazette Olivia Ciotoli, one of the owner-operators of Black Cat Market, plays with the cats that were available for adoption in 2018, in Lawrenceville. Both of these cats went to their “furever homes” long ago, but the cat room is continuously “refurbished” with adoptable felines.

Courtesy of The Black Cat Market The Black Cat Market in Lawrenceville has reopened with modifications. It sells coffee, drinks, treats and cat-related merchandise and has found homes for 139 cats.