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[sleepsong]

My best friend, who lives in Mt. Oliver with her partner and two cats and who is pregnant, is stuck there right now with no buses running and no power, which means no heat. Do any of you know anything about warming stations, especially ones that will allow animals? Or where I can check for them to see what the status of their getting power back is

Comments

[shelaghc]

If I were in her shoes, I'd call 911 and ask if they know of any such place.

Considering she's pregnant, I doubt anyone would accuse her of abusing the 911 call system.

And tell her not to worry about the cats. That's why they have fur. Give them some blankets to snuggle in and their internal body heat will take care of them. I have a friend in Alaska who created a space under the porch for her cats on the rare occasions that she can't persuade them to come in when she needs to leave.

[journalismgirl]

That's why they have fur. Give them some blankets to snuggle in and their internal body heat will take care of them.

I agree. I keep my heat turned very, very low during the winter, and Abby (5-year-old Furbrain kitty) has learned to adapt by cuddling in her flannel bed, stealing my spot on the couch when I get up, and burrowing her head under her butt.

Cats are amazingly adaptive when they need to be.

[cybrus]

Agreed about the cats - but don't use 911 for this sort of inquiry - call the non-emergency number: 421-369-2200

That way the 911 system doesn't get overloaded any more than it has to...

[sleepsong]

I looked up the Mt. Oliver non-emergency police department number, which I hope would be equivalent to 911. Beyond that I had no contacts for her, since I wasn't sure the police would have resources for animals.

(I tried to tell her to leave the cats - I lived two months in a place with no heat during a snow storm and my cat was fine - but she's adamant that she won't leave them behind.)

[addibec]

I agree with all of the above. And not to sound too harsh, but the cats should be the least of her worries when she's pregnant and needs to think about keeping herself safe and warm.

[sleepsong]

Heh. While I agree... I have learned from several friends that pregnancy and logic do not go hand-in-hand. :/

I think I convinced her partner on the phone just now, though, to get her out of there and just leave little blanket caves for the cats.

[musiquephan]

The cats will be fine as long as they have food and water....and a blankie.

Our barn cats NEVER go inside, but they have good shelter, wool horse blankets in which to curl up or within the haybales. AND kittehs curl up together to synergize the body heat.

Teh Kittehs will be fine.

Good luck to your friend!!

EDIT: Here are list of Warming Centers posted on Real Pittsburgh http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/22486206/detail.html

[sleepsong]

I told them to make little blanket caves for them. Hopefully they'll listen.

And thank you for the list of warming stations! I just called and told them to see if any cabs are running or to call the police non-emergency number and get a ride to the Mt. Lebanon station.

[iamleaper]

All of the above. The cats will make themselves a little cave out of blankets if they're cold, and probably think it's a great adventure. They'll guard the place while the humans are away. It would probably be MORE traumatic to put them in carriers and carry them through the cold to some unfamiliar place.

[sleepsong]

I told them your advice of making little blanket caves. Thank you, that's a great idea!

[curious_hair]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10037/1034110-100.stm

[sleepsong]

Wonderful, thank you so much!

[curious_hair]

No problem - hope they get warm soon!