An abandoned, nameless dog and Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato shared top billing at a news conference last week at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

The dog's family left it behind when they packed up and moved out of their residence.

That betrayal, followed by several days in the North Side shelter, did nothing to sour the young, male Labrador retriever-pit bull mix. He was friendly and affectionate with everyone who petted him, including Mr. Onorato.

The nameless dog was able to attend the news conference because someone -- presumably a concerned neighbor -- called humane officers who picked up the dog and brought him to the shelter.

Unfortunately, leaving a pet behind is not a rare occurrence for people on the move. Landlords, police officers and humane agents often find abandoned animals that are half-starved or dead.

Last year, that shelter's humane officers investigated 1,400 cases of animal abuse or neglect in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland counties.

Officers confiscated 67 animals and brought them into the shelter. Most of the 67 were rehabilitated and adopted out to new homes.

The as-yet nameless dog and Mr. Onorato were invited to the press conference last week to kick off the Humane Society's new campaign to educate the public about who we should call when we see a problem involving a dog, cat or other domestic animal. Should we call a humane officer or an animal control officer?

Here's the short answer: Call Humane Society officers if you see domestic animals being abused, neglected or mistreated. The number is 412-321-4625, ext. 216.

Call animal control for other matters, including dogs running at large or dogs attacking or biting people or other animals.

Animal control officers are also the go-to guys for unlicensed dogs, dogs not vaccinated for rabies and dogs hit and injured by vehicles.

Animal control is also one of the numbers you need to call if your pet is lost.

Knowing which animal control agency to call is a lot trickier, for there are seven animal control agencies in Allegheny County. More on that in a bit.

Mr. Onorato said he came to the news conference because "I am a big supporter" of the society.

He and his family adopted their mixed-breed dog, Cookie, from the shelter five years ago. He also congratulated the shelter for hiring a fourth humane officer to investigate abuse and neglect.

"We would like to thank the Pittsburgh Foundation for a three-year grant" that will fund the salary of Dan Eckenrode, said Lee Nesler, executive director of the Humane Society. Mr. Eckenrode, a Kennedy resident, had been working for the shelter as a part-time humane agent.

It's good news that he has been hired, but it's bad news that there are more than enough animal abuse and neglect to keep four agents busy.

That's in addition to humane officers working for other shelters, including two at Animal Friends in Ohio Township and two at the Washington Area Humane Society.

By the way, Western Pennsylvania Humane Society employees and volunteers had a very bad day at the office last Thursday, when 50 cats and kittens were brought to the North Side shelter by people who were unwilling or unable to care for them.

In July, the shelter averaged 28 feline drop-offs every day. While the overflow lasts, the shelter is offering adoption specials -- adult cats are $20 and kittens are "adopt one/get one" free.

Now back to who-ya-gonna-call when you need animal control services. City residents call Pittsburgh Animal Control at 412-255-2036.

Nine suburban communities have their own animal control: Monroeville Animal Control is 412-856-3355. West Deer is 724-224-5291.

Mt. Lebanon provides animal control services for Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Green Tree, Scott and Whitehall. Residents in those towns call 911.

The other Allegheny County suburbs contract for animal control services from one of these three companies: Ferree Kennels at 412-672-6699; Triangle Pet Control at 412-771-7387 or Hoffman Kennels at 724-468-5505.

Who is your town's animal control company?

The list is too long to run here. If you have access to the Internet, check out the Pet Tales Journal blog. I'll run the municipalities there.

If you don't have a computer handy, call your municipal building.