Pets with forever homes have love year-round. Those in crowded shelters and rescues could sure use some, though.

Rescues—and pet owners in general—who have struggled to find a veterinarian for a dog who’s sick with canine parvovirus will be relieved to know that Long Beach is now home to its first intensive care unit for infected dogs.

The popularity of a medicine called GS-441524 in treating the deadly cat disease known as FIP has exploded, and many organizations, including Helen Sanders CatPAWS, have found ways to obtain it.

Store aisles and windows are stocked with toys and cute holiday outfits, tempting cookies with red and green icing are on display on bakery counters, and goodies fill shelves. Shop for fun, as well as for safety.

“We have regulars who come a lot—they actually love it,” manager Jessica Bellows said. “They like the option of having a dog patio. A lot of people prefer it because it’s a little bit quieter on this side.”

Plus: Here’s a list of cats and dogs to take home and adopt.

Animal advocates consider Long Beach Animal Care Services’ share of the city’s budget as paltry to address the shelter’s many needs.

Beverly Leifer fell madly in love with Benny the first time she saw him at the shelter.
“It was his face—the big, round eyes, the crooked smile. And then, I found out his story,” she said.

No matter how upset they get, most people who’ve found cats mean well and seriously want to do the right thing but have no idea how or what to do.

It’s still the season of the kitten and will be for a couple of months more. But let’s paws for a word about National Dog Month, for which August has been designated by our doggies’ friends at Milk-Bone.