![\"MidsummerScream\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/MidsummerScream.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t never cross a road what a black cat cross\u2014<\/p>\n
\u2019Tain\u2019t nothin\u2019 but sorrow, \u2019tain\u2019t nothin\u2019 but loss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Horsefeathers.<\/p>\n
Those lines from Nancy Byrd Turner\u2019s 1926 poem mirror a similar misguided attitude toward black cats\u2014at worst, evil harbingers of bad luck, and at best, less than desirable as a choice for a kitty. David Markland, the lurker behind the threshold of this year\u2019s scarefest, \u201cMidsummer Scream\u201d (see \u201cBoo-ya: Meet David Markland, the Hollywood Resident Behind Long Beach\u2019s Midsummer Scream\u201d<\/a>) and a connoisseur of creepy, says boo to that as well.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce you\u2019re holding a kitten, it doesn\u2019t matter what color it is\u2014you\u2019re going to love it no matter what,\u201d Markland said.<\/p>\n Fans of horror and the occult, he said, constitute a crowd full of animal lovers. \u201cWe love the black cat\u2014it\u2019s a black sheep, like all of us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s \u201cMidsummer Scream\u201d will feature a Black Cat Lounge, which will in turn feature adoptable black cats and, in the spirit of diversity, other colors and patterns, too. The Lounge will effectively belong to the kitties\u2014they\u2019ll roam around, jump on laps, and generally make people giggle.<\/p>\n Some may still have concerns about adopting out the cats to members of this particular group of event-goers, but Markland isn\u2019t, and I\u2019m not, either. Enthusiasts of the eldritch and eerie, he said, are subject to misconceptions similar to those regarding black cats\u2014I can personally vouch for this\u2014and any rumor of atrocities involving harming cats is attributed to either urban legend<\/a>\u00a0or an act of cruelty by a bent, nasty person, sectarian or otherwise. Refusal of some shelters to adopt out black cats on Halloween, Markland said, is in several cases motivated by the same practice that people indulge in regarding rabbits and Easter: hundreds of bunnies are dumped a few months after the holiday following the realization of the amount of care that rabbits need to thrive. Same with black cats\u2014after the party\u2019s over and the living Halloween decoration doesn\u2019t fit into the household, they get abandoned or given up, too.<\/p>\n Anyway, it would be folly to cheese off a bunch of animal-loving spell casters and creepers in the dark by harming an animal. And even in the minuscule chance that there\u2019s a potential adopter at the event who shouldn\u2019t own a cat, the all-volunteer Kitten Rescue Los Angeles<\/a>\u00a0isn\u2019t about to let him or her take home one of the cats who\u2019ll be at the event\u2014the nonprofit has a strict screening process followed by a home visit or a home delivery. And that\u2019s as it should be.<\/p>\n Kitten Rescue will feature half-off adoption fees at the event: $60 for one kitten, $100 for two. There will be a kindle of 20 cats and kittens at the event; all of them have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, treated for fleas, tested for FeLV and FIV, and microchipped.<\/p>\n If you like any of these candidates or want to contact Kitten Rescue, email\u00a0mail@kittenrescue.org<\/a>. Adoption questionnaires are available at this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meet Spatz<\/strong>, 3 months old and a formal little tuxedo fella. He\u2019s a very busy, playful boy who also enjoys being held. He\u2019s very adventurous and smart, and definitely gives his littermates a run for their money.<\/p>\n Spatz was born in foster care and had really blossomed from a shy little boy into an outgoing young man. He\u2019s also chatty and enjoys telling you about his day. Because he\u2019s so young, he does need a friend. His littermates\u2014Porridge<\/a>,\u00a0Dapper<\/a>,\u00a0Piccolo<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Finch<\/a>\u2014are also\u00a0available for adoption.<\/p>\n Aemon<\/strong>, 5 months old, is a shy little mama\u2019s boy. He loves to curl up in tiny places for naps. He\u2019s given his foster mom a couple of heart attacks this way! While he does love to join in the fun with his siblings, he\u2019s the most cautious of the bunch. He tends not to roughhouse as much. He\u2019s quite the explorer, though, and is he first to jump to new heights out of the bunch.<\/p>\n Because he\u2019s more of a quiet old soul, Aemon would do best with an older adult cat that would be a mentor to him, or with one of his siblings\u2014Arya<\/a>,\u00a0Theon<\/a>, Sam or\u00a0Yara<\/a>.<\/p>\n And here\u2019s Aemon\u2019s brudder, Sam<\/strong>, also 5 months old. Sam has the cutest face, with little tufts of white in his ears. His favorite time of day is feeding time, and boy, does he let his foster mom know it! He herds her toward the food in the morning and again at night. When the treat bag comes out, he\u2019s beside himself with joy. He takes a minute to warm up to you, but when he does, he wants nothing more than to play. Feather toys are his favorite, followed by hugs and grooming\u2014from him.<\/p>\n Because Sam is young and likes to play, he\u2019d love a friend. Maybe check out one of his siblings\u2014\u2014Arya<\/a>,\u00a0Aemon<\/a>,\u00a0Theon<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Yara<\/a>?<\/p>\n Baklava<\/strong>, 4 months old, is the orange sheep\u2014or more accurately, orange crush\u2014of this glossy little group. He and his littermates were rescued from the South LA City Shelter when they were just one week old. They were bottle-fed, making them incredibly affectionate, outgoing and confident kittens. They are incredibly playful and energetic, and must be adopted either with a playmate or to a home with a high-energy companion kitty.<\/p>\n Baklava is a boisterous boy who loves to romp and wrestle just as much as he loves to cuddle. He purrs up a storm and is always busy pouncing on his siblings! He can\u2019t get enough playtime, but if you manage to wear him out, he\u2019s all snuggles. Baklava is a rough-and-tumble kitten who won\u2019t take no for an answer\u2014when he wants to play, everyone else just has to put up with him!<\/p>\n He needs a high-energy playmate and would love to be adopted with one of his siblings\u2014\u00a0Cannoli<\/a>,\u00a0Linzer<\/a> and\u00a0Potica<\/a>. He\u2019ll play until he is panting, so if you\u2019re looking for a big, burly ball of energy, Baklava is your guy!<\/p>\n Helen Sanders CatPAWS \u201cShow Us Your Kitties\u201d Calendar Fund-Raiser<\/strong><\/p>\n To September 1 at this link\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n $5 donation per initial entry, $1 donation for each subsequent vote<\/strong><\/p>\n Hey, CatPAWS Community and all fellow Cat Lovers! It is time for you to…Show Us Your Kitties!\u00a0CatPAWS\u2019 annual Calendar Contest Fund-Raiser has begun! Submit photos of your beautiful cats and kittens for a chance to be featured in the 2018 Show Us Your Kitties Calendar! It’s simple\u2014submit an entry photo of your cat or every cat that has touched your heart. The 12 cats that raise the most donations in the form of votes will have their photos featured as one of the months in the calendar, and the cat or kitten with the most total votes will be featured on the cover. All donations will cover CatPAWS\u2019s rescue efforts and medical bills. Let’s honor all those cats or kittens we\u2019ve been privileged to love and raise money for those who haven’t had the chance yet. Submit your photos here<\/a>\u00a0and start voting today!<\/p>\n \u00a0 Drag Queen Bingo Fund-Raiser for Fix Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday, July 30, 4:00PM, Paradise Bar and Restaurant, 1800 East Broadway, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n No cover; donation for Bingo cards<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday can be a real drag, and that\u2019s a good thing for pets and their owners! Long Beach Pride 2017 Imperial Court Empress Mia Farrow and her entourage will be calling numbers and awarding prizes both silly and sweet. The funds from the event will go toward Fix Long Beach<\/a>\u00a0to help people who can\u2019t afford to spay or neuter their cats and dogs. They offer free spay\/neuter projects, low-cost vaccines, free microchips and education, which is also free. Drag Queen Bingo offers a lot of fun in the process!<\/p>\n Summer Events with Shelter Pets!<\/strong><\/p>\n Monday, July 28\u2013Thursday, August 24, Band events\u2019 van arrival at approximately 4:30PM, Movies in the Park\u2019s van arrival at approximately 6:00PM. See schedule for locations.<\/strong><\/p>\n Events are free; adoption fees apply (senior pets are discounted at $20!)<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t you love previews of coming attractions? At this year\u2019s Summer Events at our parks and beaches, you can preview our pets and make room for some of them in your home! ACS\u2019s new mobile vehicle will be attending all of these events before they start and leave when they begin. A heads-up\u2014and a tails up\u2014for you!<\/strong><\/p>\n Municipal Band events start at 6:30-Van will arrive around 4:30-5:00pm<\/strong><\/p>\n Movies in the Park start at Dusk (approximately 8:00pm)-Van will arrive around 6-6:30pm<\/strong><\/p>\n Van is estimated to leave when the event starts.<\/strong><\/p>\n July Events<\/strong><\/p>\n 7\/28\u2014Friday\u2014Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Avenue, Long Beach (Movie in the Park)<\/p>\n 7\/31\u2014Monday\u2014Ernie McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, (Movie in the Park)<\/p>\n August Events<\/strong><\/p>\n 8\/1\u2014Tuesday\u2014Signal Hill, 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill (National Night Out)<\/p>\n 8\/4\u2014Friday\u2014El Dorado Park, 2800 N Studebaker Road, Long Beach (Muni Band)<\/p>\n 8\/10\u2014Thursday\u2014Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach (Movie in the Park)<\/p>\n 8\/18\u2014Friday\u2014Silverado Park, 1545 W 31st Street, Long Beach (Movie in the Park)<\/p>\n 8\/24\u2014Scherer Park, 430 E 49th Street, Long Beach (Movie in the Park)<\/p>\n \u2018Guys and Dolls\u2019 Fund-Raiser for FOLBA<\/strong><\/p>\n Thursday, July 27, 6:30PM\u2013approximately 11:00PM, Long Beach Playhouse,5021 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n $30; includes play and reception<\/strong><\/p>\n We\u2019re willing to gamble that you\u2019ll enjoy yourself at this production of the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls<\/i>! Talk about a winning trifecta: a reception with tasty \u201cpaw food\u201d and Ralph Brunson\u2019s expert tickles of the ivories; a production of the classic musical based on Damon Runyon\u2019s tales of mugs, hot tomatoes and playing the ponies; and the Dine Out Raffle and Silent Auction and door prize drawing by FOLBA canine volunteer Ruthless McKenzie. All that lettuce from the proceeds goes to FOLBA, Long Beach\u2019s most venerable animal-welfare charity! It\u2019s no sucker\u2019s bet that you\u2019ll have a whoopee of a time!<\/p>\n Pet Adoption Event at PFE<\/strong><\/p>\n Saturday, August 5, 11:00AM\u20133:00PM, Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Adoption fees apply<\/strong><\/p>\n Find your new BFF and everything that he or she could ever want or need, in one place. Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS)<\/a>\u00a0and other rescues will be bringing some wonderful dogs ready to go home with their new people. Everything is high quality at Pet Food Express, and that includes the adoptive pets! Check out the Cat Adoption Center, featuring fine felines from Long Beach Animal Care Services and Stray Cat Alliance.<\/p>\n Third Annual Kitty Hall Adoption Event<\/strong><\/p>\n Friday, August 11, 11:00AM\u20133:00pm, City Hall, 333 West Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Free to greet kitties; adoption fees apply<\/strong><\/p>\n A full slate of aye votes for the kitties! Mayor Robert Garcia will be hosting Long Beach Animal Care Services\u2019<\/a>\u00a0most successful adoption event! Cast your vote for the best cat (or plural cat) for your loving, forever home!<\/p>\n Fix Long Beach Free Spay\/Neuter Clinic<\/strong><\/p>\n Saturday, August 12, 7:30AM\u20134:00PM, Houghton Park, 6500 Atlantic Avenue (near Jordan High), Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Free to qualifying residents; free microchips; low-cost shots ($10 each); $10 flea med doses<\/strong><\/p>\n The grassroots free spay\/neuter organization<\/strong> Fix Long Beach invites you to make an appointment for your unfixed dog, or get vouchers for free procedures for your dog or cat! These clinics are generously sponsored through Hope for Paws<\/a>\u00a0and Eldad Hagar.<\/p>\n Visit this link<\/a>\u00a0for qualifications and an application for your appointment. There is also a donation button to help Fix Long Beach continue their efforts. Click the organization\u2019s Amazon Wish List link<\/a> to donate items, or bring them to the event if you find a better deal!<\/p>\n Let\u2019s continue to help make Long Beach no kill, one pet at a time!<\/p>\n Saving Kittens Workshop and \u201cKitten Shower\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Monday, August 14, 6:00PM\u20138:00PM, Veterans Park Community Center, 101 East 28th<\/sup> Street, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Tickets $10, available at the Kitten Lady website <\/a><\/strong>and the Eventbrite link\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Little Lion Foundation<\/a>, Helen Sanders CatPAWS\u00a0<\/a>and City of Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a>\u00a0are teaming up to hold a two-hour information-packed Saving Kittens Workshop with Hannah Shaw, the orphaned-kitten warrior from Kitten Lady<\/a>. Kitten Season pretty much runs all year long here in Long Beach, and it\u2019s in full swing now\u2014the shelter and rescues are full, and we need people to save the lives of some of the most helpless but promising creatures in the world\u2014neonatal kittens who may have been born just hours before they\u2019ve reached decent human contact. You will learn everything there is to know about saving kittens\u2019 lives in this fun, interactive event! Our friends at Pet Food Express\u00a0<\/a>will be there, too! We hope that this event will find lots of fosters hyped and ready to save more tiny lives!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This will also be a Kitten Shower<\/strong>, so please feel free to bring kitten donations such as KMR, bottles you\u2019re your pet-store employee to point out the ones that are used for neonatal kittens),\u00a0Nulo brand chicken and turkey canned food, baby blankets, and kitten toys! We have 175 seats to fill, and they\u2019ll likely fill up quickly, so claim them now! See event heading for website.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Let\u2019s save some tiny but mighty lives because every cat deserves to roar!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friends of El Dorado Dog Park Holiday Bone-anza and Calendar Contest<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunday, November 19, 10AM\u20134:00PM (Calendar Contest Entry Deadline September 30), El Dorado Dog Park, 7550 East Spring Street, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Calendar Contest free to enter: Bone-anza free to attend<\/strong><\/p>\n Friends of El Dorado Dog Park is announcing its third-nnual Pet Photo Calendar Contest and fundraiser. The top winner will be on the cover page, and the next 12 winners will each have their own calendar month.\u00a0The Calendar Contest winners\u00a0will be announced at\u00a011:00AM\u00a0at the Holiday Bone-Anza. The 2018 calendar\u00a0will be available to purchase\u00a0for $20 at the event. Even if your entry isn\u2019t selected as a winner, every dog entered will be spotlighted\u00a0in the calendar. Application is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Bone-anza will be a fun-filled event featuring food trucks, vendors for your holiday shopping, contests, a DJ featuring Christmas sounds, elves, your doggie\u2019s photo with Santa, and a silent auction and raffle featuring great gifts from our sponsors.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n All proceeds\u00a0from both the calendar and the event will go to support enhancements of the El Dorado Dog Park.<\/p>\n Free Pet Food Distributions<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 Papa, a big \u201cteddy bear\u2019 of a dog, sits with his human in Ashlee\u2019s Pet Care station at Beacon for Him.<\/i><\/p>\n Beacon for Him <\/strong><\/a>has extended an outreach for people experiencing homelessness and their pets. Pet food, primarily dog food, is available at their facility at 439 West Anaheim Street, Mondays from 9:00AM to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3:00PM. A dog-washing station with a stainless-steel tub is also available onsite at these hours. Donations and supplies such as shampoo, flea control and, of course, pet food are always gratefully accepted.<\/p>\n The Pet Food Bank<\/strong> is sponsored by Christian Outreach in Action.<\/a> COA is located at 515 E 3rd St, Long Beach. Hours are Thursday from 9:00AM to 11:00AM.<\/p>\n \u00a0 Shelter-Enrichment Supplies Needed for ACS Dogs!<\/strong><\/p>\n Drop-off: Wednesdays through Fridays, 10:00AM\u20135:30PM and Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00AM\u20134:00PM, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Individual donations requested<\/strong><\/p>\n ACS is continuing our kennel enrichment activities for our canine\u00a0guests here and could use so more donations (there are plenty for the cats!). Here is what\u2019s needed:<\/p>\n Donations are tax deductible. Our pups say thanks so much!<\/p>\n \u00a0 IndieGoGo Fundraiser for Trots Dogs Incorporated<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Until beginning of September<\/strong><\/p>\n Individual donations<\/strong><\/p>\n Long Beach resident Johanna \u201cJoJo\u201d Stanford started Trots Dogs Inc. in 2009 after being inspired by Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer. Stanford says that her goal is \u201cto provide Long Beach with a dog-training facility with structured daycare and boarding that accepts all dogs regardless of temperament or behavior by educating staff, dogs and owners. Our mission is to create a community of people who understand their dogs and want to have a loving, balanced relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n Stanford\u2019s group is looking to purchase about 10,000 square feet of warehouse space with a potty area and are partnering with a design group. Click on the link in the header to find out all the details of this enterprise.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be helping us fund\u00a0a model that could\u00a0turn\u00a0a \u2018dog-friendly city\u2019 into a city of\u00a0friendly dogs,\u201d Stanford said. \u201cImagine the possibilities of having\u00a0an entire city of balanced dogs who are happy, obedient, well behaved and pay attention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0 spcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp™ Registration!<\/strong><\/p>\n Begins April 17, 10:00AM on this link\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n $350 for each camper<\/strong><\/p>\n spcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp is for kids 8 to 13. At camp, kids learn the basics of pet care and responsibility, respect for all animals, and the beginnings of dog training, all while making new friends! There are eight Monday through Friday sessions, running June through August.<\/p>\n Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) Information for Low-Cost Vaccinations and Spay\/Neuter Clinics<\/strong><\/p>\n 7700 East Spring Street at entrance to El Dorado Park (no fee for shelter visitors), Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Prices vary<\/strong><\/p>\n Vouchers that take a big bite, so to speak, out of the cost of spay\/neuter procedures are available at ACS during their public hours. Visit this link\u00a0<\/a>for information on clinics that accept the vouchers and for other spay\/neuter assistance.<\/p>\n![\"Spatz\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Spatz.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Aemon\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Aemon.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Sam--5](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Sam-5_months.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"baklava\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/baklava.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMark Your Calendars (the People Way)<\/h1>\n
![\"Show](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Show_Us_Your_Kitties.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Drag](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Drag_queen.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Truck](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Truck_profile.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"FOLBA](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/FOLBA_Flyer_Guys_and_Dolls.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Cat](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Cat_Adoption_Center_-_Copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"KittyHalleunice-protesting](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/KittyHalleunice-protesting_v2_filter1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Fix](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Fix_Long_Beach_logo.jpg\"){kind=logo}
![\"Hope](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Hope_for_Paws.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Kitten](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Kitten_workshop.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"ElDoradoParkCalendar\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/ElDoradoParkCalendar.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOngoing<\/h1>\n
![\"BEacon](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/BEacon_For_Him.jpg\"){kind=tracking}
<\/p>\n![\"Pet](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Pet_food_bank.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Shelter](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Shelter_Enrichment.jpg\")
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![\"Trots\"](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Trots.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"camp1](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/camp1_-_Copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Shelter](\"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Shelter_Shots.jpg\")
<\/p>\n