GREEN TREE, Pa. — The pet ministry at Unity Presbyterian Church in Green Tree is holding a collection drive to help two local animal shelters. It is stepping up to help homeless pets in the Pittsburgh area by collecting food, toys, and other essentials.

“There has been a large amount of pets adopted during the pandemic that are now not being kept by the people who adopted them so these shelters have more pets than they might normally have,” said Pastor Dennis Molnar of the church.

The donations collected in April and May will help the Merlin’s Safe Haven Cat Rescue in Carnegie and South Hills Pet Rescue in South Park Township. The Creatures of the Creator pet ministry is an expansion of the church’s popular annual “Blessing of the Animal” event. Two other organizations will be chosen to receive donations for the next collection drive.

“Every two months we select two local pet shelters or service center that deals with cats, dogs or both,” said Pastor Molnar.

“It’s a way of glorifying God and help take care of God’s creatures, including one another,” Pastor Molnar said about the goal of the drive.

Donations are due by June 1. Drop off your donations at the church office or at the doghouse-shaped “donation station” in the church transept.

For Merlin’s Safe Haven Cat Rescue:

• Purina Kitten Chow Dry Food
• Purina One Tender Selects Salmon Dry Food
• Fancy Feast Kitten Wet Food
• Friskies Wet Food (pate, shreds, fillets)
• XL Pee Pads
• Miracle Nipple syringe & nipple kits or extra nipples
• Toys (No feathers, please)
• Cardboard scratchers
• Temptations hard treats
• Churu “lickable” treats

For South Hills Animal Rescue:

• Purina dry dog food: Chicken and Rice
• Purina dry puppy food: Chicken and Rice
• Wet or canned dog food
• Dog treats
• 6′ leashes
• Dog toys for power chewers and large dogs
• Bully sticks
• Food puzzles for active dogs
• Martindale collars
• Towels
• New or used blankets and sheets
• Laundry detergent
• Clorox wipes
• Fabuloso cleaner
• Bleach

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