On November 15, many animal shelters across the United States – including the Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center in Pittsburgh – will observe America Recycles Day by encouraging individuals to recycle aluminum pet food cans as part of “Cans for Pets,” an expanding initiative that makes it convenient for individuals to aid shelter animals through responsible recycling.

Cans for Pets – funded by Alcoa Foundation and coordinated by the PA Resources Council – encourages aluminum recycling by offering a 5 cent donation to a local animal shelter for every aluminum pet food can recycled through the program.

Since its launch in Pittsburgh in Fall 2012, Cans for Pets has collected more than 180,000 cans and expanded to include six shelters located across the nation.  All totaled, the Cans for Pets program has kept more than 5,000 pounds of aluminum in circulation and out of landfills.

“America Recycles Day is an excellent opportunity for community members to take action to protect the environment. On this day, and every day, we invite pet lovers and their families and friends to recycle pet food cans,” according to Justin Stockdale, PRC’s Western Regional Director. “Whether it helps to provide medical care for animals in Pennsylvania and Indiana, food for animals in Tennessee or adoption support in Texas, this program is a win-win, helping homeless animals while benefiting our environment.”

According to Dan Rossi, Executive Director of the Animal Rescue League in Pittsburgh, “The continued support of the Cans for Pets program makes it possible for us to provide exceptional care to animals awaiting their forever homes. Recently, a kitten was found in an abandoned lot, malnourished and suffering from a broken leg.  Because of the Cans for Pets program, he received the medical care he needed and he’s now recovering in a foster home. He will be available for adoption in early December – just in time for the holidays!”

The Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center receives a 5 cent donation from Alcoa Foundation for every clean, empty aluminum pet food can dropped off at the following locations during business hours:

-- Animal Rescue League, 6620 Hamilton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206;

-- Animal Rescue League Wildlife Center, 6000 Verona Road, Verona, PA 15147;

-- Cooper-Siegel Community Library, 403 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh PA 15238;

-- The Dog Stop, 2858 Banksville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216;

-- The Dog Stop, 1140 Washington Blvd., Pittsburgh PA 15206;

-- PA Resources Council, 64 S. 14th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; and

-- PETCO, The Waterfront, 590 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA  15120.

For more information, visit PRC’s Cans for Pets webpage or call PRC at 412-488-7490 x105.

11/17/2014