Pittsburgh, April 21, 2020 – As the COVID-19 crisis continues to create economic uncertainty for many households, the Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team (PAART –https://nodogleftbehind.org/) and the Allegheny County Airport Authority (https://flypittsburgh.com) have teamed up to distribute more than 80,000 pounds of dog food, including 40,000 pounds that PAART purchased earlier this week. Pet food will be distributed on Friday, April 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Allegheny County Airport, located off Lebanon Church Road (PA Route 885) in West Mifflin. Vehicles should form a line in the airport’s parking lot to avoid creating congestion on Lebanon Church Road.
“PAART is pleased to be teaming up with the Allegheny County Airport Authority because Allegheny County Airport is our home,” says Jonathan Plesset, a co-founder of PAART. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to help people in the communities surrounding the airport, and throughout the Pittsburgh region, in a time of great need. The Airport Authority has been most supportive of our mission, and we appreciate their understanding and flexibility.”
Adds PAART co-founder Brad Childs, “In this time of uncertainty, we feel it’s our duty to help Pittsburgh area families in need help their pets. It’s a cause that our team of deeply committed volunteers believes in strongly, and it’s another way that our organization is bringing animals from danger to safety.”
“Our region’s airports are a key part of the community, including Allegheny County Airport, and we’re focused on using our facilities to help the region,” said Traci Clark, Vice President, Allegheny County Airport. “We are grateful to PAART for the contributions it makes to our community throughout the year, and we are happy to assist the organization, especially now when its resources are desperately needed.”
Since the COVID-19 crisis began forcing many businesses to close over the past month, PAART has purchased 160,000 pounds of pet food to give animal shelters, food banks and individual households. Pet food costs 50 cents a pound, and PAART welcomes donations to help offset the cost of food purchases. Donations may be made online at https://nodogleftbehind.org/feed-them-all/
A donation of $5 can provide 10 pounds of dog or cat food to a family in need, which could prevent a family from experiencing hunger during this challenging period.
Earlier this month, PAART conducted no-contact deliveries of 40,000 pounds of pet food to animal shelters and food banks in the Pittsburgh area and in northeastern Kentucky. The organization also helped Jazmiere Duncan, a 13-year-old entrepreneur who participates in Circles Greater Pittsburgh’s Catapult: Startup to Storefront program in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood, distribute pet food to families in need who drove by the organization’s Gallery on Penn storefront, near the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.
About Allegheny County Airport
Authority Allegheny County Airport Authority, which owns and operates Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect and serve the community, inspire the industry, and advance the region’s role as a world leader.
Since 1931, Allegheny County Airport (AGC) has been advancing modern corporate and recreational travel, and continues to provide convenient access to nearby universities, research facilities, financial and corporate operations and world-renowned medical centers. The airport also houses one of the nation’s premier aviation maintenance schools, air medical transport services, flight training operations and two fixed-base operators and is home to several corporate planes and numerous private pilots’ aircraft.
About PAART
The Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team (PAART) is a not-for-profit organization that provides air and ground transportation for at-risk animals. The organization was co-founded by Jonathan Plesset, owner of the Shadyside Inn, an all-suites hotel in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood, and Brad Childs, owner of The Dog Stop Upper St. Clair, a luxury pet resort and spa. To date, PAART has brought more than 12,000 animals from danger to safety. The organization is headquartered at the Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin. For more information, visit www.nodogleftbehind.org or contact Jonathan Plesset, PAART, at 412.908.1800 or [email protected]