Mon Valley Paws hosts ‘give back’ celebration

After two and a half years of service, Mon Valley Paws continues to create smiles and wag tails.

Since 2020, the animal aid nonprofit has built partnerships with individuals and organizations throughout the Mon Valley, providing funding, food, aid and supplies to pets and their owners.

“What it really comes down to is, we want to be there,” director Randy Marino said. “If you need us, we’re there to help.”

The organization formed out of PuppyUp Monessen, a local affiliate of a national canine cancer research program. The former organization got its start in 2018 and while volunteers felt passionate about its goal, they wanted to become more involved on the local level.

This year, Mon Valley Paws raised $19,309 for local rescues, shelters and pets in need. Since 2018, volunteers have raised around $65,600 for four-legged friends around the Valley.

“This year was one of our best years,” Marino said. “It was the first year we held our golf outing, which was a huge success.”

Marino added that the organization runs solely on volunteer work.

“All the money that you put in isn’t going to bonuses or salary costs,” he said. “Everything we raise goes straight back into the community.”

The organization has built a substantial following, with more than 750 people signed up for their mailing list. In its brief time operating, the nonprofit has collected more than four and a half tons of food for pets in need.

Often, food and supplies the organization provides come from the organization’s partnership with Pet Supply Plus in Belle Vernon.

“They’re one of our biggest supporters,” Marino said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”

From donations, MVP supports four local animal shelters, Angel Ridge Animal Rescue, Fur Kids Rescue, Husky Paws Rescue and Pet Search Animal Rescue. The organization works closely with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, which trains and matches dogs with people who require a service animal.

Local businesses have partnered with MVP. This year, River House Cafe in Charleroi won the organization’s Sponsor of the Year and Make a Difference awards for its involvement in MVP food days, where local restaurants fundraise by splitting profits with MVP for a limited period of time.

The organization provides pet resuscitation equipment

PAWS • A7 FROM A3 to local fire departments, organizes raffles and food drives, mails pet birthday cards and coupons, and hosts pet costume contests and swim parties.

Every September, MVP holds its annual Pet Walk and Vendor Show in Monessen, where hundreds come to walk their dogs and shop local vendors.

Marino hopes to eventually host a big event each year in the spring.

“Right now, our two biggest events are the golf outing in the summer and Pet Walk in the fall,” he said. “People say I’m looking too far ahead, but I’m hoping to add a third big event in the spring. We’re still working out what it’s going to be.”

Marino said volunteers consider winter to be the offseason. However, he explained the need for animal support doesn’t disappear just because they don’t host events. “Just the other day, a fire destroyed a family’s home. And they had pets,” he said. “They lost everything, so we worked to get the family things they needed for their pets.”

Marino said he has found a calling with MVP. A retired educator, he hopes to continue his current work as long as he can.

“It’s a debate in my family on whether or not I’ve really retired,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘I thought you actually retired, but look at how much you work.’ But I’ll probably never retire from Mon Valley Paws because it’s something I want to do.”

To donate or for more information on Mon Valley Paws, visit https://monvalleypaws.wordpress.com.