Help Local Families in Need Feed Their Pets Through ‘Paws on the Bluff’

Thanks to Paws on the Bluff—a new campus-wide initiative—faculty, staff, administrators and students can help local families in need keep their beloved dogs, cats, rabbits and other furry family members by donating pet food.

President Ken Gormley with his dog Gracie.

Understanding that families in need can sometimes go without food for themselves in order to better care for their pets, the Paws on the Bluff committee has collaborated with Animal Friends in the North Hills of Pittsburgh to collect pet food and toys to distribute to area food banks.

All members of the Duquesne University community are invited to participate and can drop off pet food and toy donations from Saturday, Sept. 23, through Saturday, Sept. 30, at the following campus locations:

  • School of Law
  • Power Center, First Floor
  • Duquesne Union
  • Gumberg Library
  • School of Music
  • Administration Building, Office of Admissions
  • Canevin Hall
  • Rockwell Hall, 6th Floor
  • Fisher Hall, 6th Floor
  • Towers Residence Hall
  • Brottier Residence Hall.

In addition, monetary donations can be made directly to the Animal Friends Chow Wagon program online or by visiting the Chow Wagon’s Amazon Wish List online.

In addition, the following events are being held in conjunction with Paws on the Bluff:

  • The 16th annual Katie Westbrook 5k Race and Dog Walk, Saturday, Sept. 23: participants are asked to bring donations, and proceeds from the event’s raffle will go to Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon program.
  • Service Sunday, Sunday, Sept. 24, at 9 p.m. in the Nite Spot. Participants will help make dog and cat toys.
  • Jazz Ensemble Concert, Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dr. Thomas D. Pappert Center for Performance and Innovation, School of Music: attendees who bring a donation will receive free admission to the concert.

“It is an honor to partner with our students, staff, faculty and administrators to develop our first Paws on the Bluff event, Duquesne University’s week-long program to support the work of Animal Friends and its Chow Wagon program,” said Dr. Seth Beckman, dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music and head of the initiative’s planning committee. “We have so many members of our Duquesne community who are committed to actively supporting those in need—both people and pets—and so it is a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference in a much-needed way.”

The Animal Friends Chow Wagon program was founded in 2007 to help families keep their cherished pets—especially during challenging economic times—by providing them with pet food. In these tough times, the Chow Wagon enables dogs, cats and rabbits to stay in their loving homes and receive the nourishment they need. The Chow Wagon currently serves 29 different food pantries and two Meals on Wheels programs in three counties.

For more information, visit the Paws on the Bluff website.