{"id":329,"date":"2018-12-14T14:51:21","date_gmt":"2018-12-14T22:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/?p=999931295"},"modified":"2018-12-14T14:51:21","modified_gmt":"2018-12-14T22:51:21","slug":"pets-arent-presents-but-heres-a-couple-of-gift-certificates-anyway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/pets-arent-presents-but-heres-a-couple-of-gift-certificates-anyway","title":{"rendered":"Pets aren’t presents, but here’s a couple of gift certificates anyway"},"content":{"rendered":"

Please send any Long Beach or Seal Beach pet-related events or projects to\u00a0pets@lbpost.com<\/a>. Posting subject to approval.<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve come a long way from the puppy or kitten in a giftwrapped box under the tree, with air holes punched in the container for the poor little guy to gasp through. The call of \u201cAdopt, don\u2019t shop!\u201d has been sounded often enough for adoption numbers to increase significantly\u2014in 2017, the ASPCA reported an 18.5 percent increase in national adoptions\u2014a little over 3 million shelter animals yearly, up from 2.7 million in 2011. Long Beach Animal Care Services also reports a steady increase in adoptions through 2017<\/a>; if the pattern holds\u2014and I think it will\u20142018 stats will show increase as well.<\/p>\n

OK, so now, people are adopting pets for holiday and birthday gifts instead of buying them from breeders, Craigslist and other social media (ugh), or pet stores, the latter of which will (ha ha) be illegal as of Jan. 1<\/a> unless the cat, dog or bunny comes from a shelter or a rescue.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s fine, but please, no surprises. I grabbed the graphic below from Operation Empty Cages\u2019<\/a> Facebook page. Take into consideration everything it says, particularly \u201cIt was an unwanted pet.\u201d Pets aren\u2019t gifts. They\u2019re friends and family members, and they have feelings, too. This isn\u2019t to say that you shouldn\u2019t make them part of your holiday tradition\u2014after all, they\u2019re joining your family or even making one. In that spirit, here\u2019s the holiday gift certificate that you can give your loved one. What you do is present it as a gift and then accompany the prospective companion human to a shelter or a rescue\u2014as many as necessary until he or she falls in love. Then, you pay the adoption fee, and you can also go on a shopping excursion for litter boxes, toys, leashes, harnesses, food, treats\u2014pet accessories have become as wide ranging and delightful as toys and chocolate. Finally, you get to be the dogmother or kitty sitter or bunny bubbe for this delightful critter.<\/p>\n

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Graphic by Michelle Manion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a> (LBACS) make it even easier. For one-stop adopt, you can purchase a $50 voucher that will pay the fee of a cat, a dog or a rabbit at its shelter at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter guests).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Graphic courtesy of LBACS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And of course, the pets. Here are some fur buddies ready to go home from several shelters and rescues. I\u2019d say that this is the best Christmas catalog ever\u2014but again, pets aren\u2019t presents.<\/p>\n

LBACS, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Shadow<\/strong> (ID#A614577) is a loving senior German shepherd mix. He was brought to the shelter on two occasions\u2014the second time, his owner didn\u2019t return to bring him home. He’s 14 years old, knows all his commands, and deserves better than this in his late years. Could you bring him home for a holiday dinner and an extended stay, like forever? Shadow deserves his place in the sun.<\/p>\n

Wrigley Kittens<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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This stunning silver tabby is Earl Gray<\/strong>. He was part of a litter of kittens who, along with their mama, were rescued in the spring of 2017. All his brothers and sisters and even their mom were adopted, but Earl is still in foster care after all these months. He is shy around humans at first, but he does warm up, and he loves other cats\u2014you can see him here with his foster brother. Earl has the softest fur ever and gorgeous green eyes. His biggest wish this holiday season is a forever home. Is Earl Gray perhaps your cup of tea? To learn more about adopting Earl Gray, please email\u00a0Wrigleykittens@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Zazzy Cats Kitty Rescue<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Her picture speaks for itself\u2014Dream<\/strong> is a gorgeous Siamese flame point. Dream was discovered in a cat colony close to the 91 freeway entrance. She was new to the area and likely dumped, as a good number of colony cats are. She was found to be only a year old and likely had it rough on those streets. But Dream walked right up to the feeder and meowed for help. She had no microchip but had been fixed. Her family could not be found, and so she was vetted and combo-tested positive for FIV. This is not a death sentence, by the way, and she\u2019s otherwise healthy. She loves kids and adults but doesn\u2019t do well with other cats. If you want to give Dream her dream home, email zazzycatsrescue@live.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Helen Sanders CatPAWS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Jeepers, creepers, and all that! Ripley<\/strong> was on her last day at a county shelter having been taken there when her family moved. Then, believe it or not, at the last minute, CatPAWS pulled her. She was adopted but became stressed and allergic to the resident dog. (Who knew that was a thing?) She developed asthma and hid. She is a dear and gentle girl who is a little anxious and hides but so loving<\/em> once she feels safe. She needs a quiet home, perfect for someone who wants one kitty. Once she is relaxed, the asthma subsides. CatPAWS will waive her fee for an approved adopter and will send home medicine just in case. To adopt Ripley, fill out the application on this link<\/a> and submit it.<\/p>\n

Live Love Animal Rescue<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Talk about Greek gods\u2014Zeus<\/strong> is a gloriously beautiful, majestic Siberian husky, one year old. His rescuer said that Zeus is the most magnificent dog that has ever dogged. Note the ice-blue eyes in the Hollywood head shot. Zeus is being professionally trained at The Balanced Dog<\/a> in Hermosa Beach because he\u2019s super-smart and his human needs to keep up with him, both physically and mentally! If you\u2019re active and want a companion to run and exercise with, Zeus is your guy. In fact, his trainer at The Balanced Dog wants to keep up with him. If you think you can, email woof@liveloveanimalrescue.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n

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Loki <\/strong>is 5 years old and was living a lovely life until the landlord stepped back from the pet policy and said, \u201cThat cat has to go.\u201d Poor boy wound up at the shelter, in a cage and missing his family, until he caught the eye of one of the FOLBA volunteers. He\u2019s now at Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, and is microchipped, neutered and vaccinated. Can you help Loki get lucky again?<\/p>\n

Fix Long<\/a> Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Can it get any cuter or sweeter than Peter? He\u2019s adorable, but you should have seen the \u201cbefore\u201d picture! Peter is about 7 years old and has had a lot of medical work. He doesn\u2019t look sick here, but that\u2019s because he isn\u2019t. He\u2019s had several teeth pulled, but he doesn\u2019t have any diet restrictions and is playful and sweet. Fix Long Beach has a way with healing, as you probably know. The final step is a forever home. If you\u2019re interested, contact fixlongbeachinfo@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sparky and the Gang<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Uncle Eddie<\/strong> is a 5-year-old Jack Russell\/rat terrier mix. He is in foster care because his human is terminally ill. He\u2019s never met anyone he doesn\u2019t like\u2014he\u2019s smart, well behaved, and knows a lot of cool tricks. Sometimes he gets stressed out if he\u2019s left alone for a really long time and has had accidents, but regular walking helps with that. Uncle Eddie will bring along his very own crate, bed, car seat (he loves to go for rides) and leash. Contact sparkyandthegang@yahoo.com<\/a> to adopt him!<\/p>\n

Things to do, pets to support<\/h3>\n

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Haute Dogs\u2019 Operation Santa Paws: <\/strong>Saturday, Dec. 22, 11:30 a.m.\u20133:30 p.m., Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS), 3950 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, adoption fees apply.<\/p>\n

Santa Paws himself (you may know him as Justin Rudd) and his helpers (you) will bring toys and goodies to all the good cats, dogs and bunnies and cleaning supplies for the staff in three shelters: Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a>, spcaLA<\/a>, Seal Beach Animal Care Center<\/a> and Orange County Animal Care<\/a>. (See the wish list here<\/a>.) Participants will meet at LBACS\u2019s parking lot, pass out items at the Long Beach locations, and either caravan to the other shelters or just do Long Beach, if preferred. If you or a business or organization you\u2019re connected with wants to start an independent collection, download a poster here<\/a> and follow the instructions on the Santa Paws website<\/a>. All information is readily available there. Happy holidays to all critters and those of us who love them!<\/p>\n

CAT CLINIC! Fix Long Beach Free Spay\/Neuter Clinic, sponsored by Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA): <\/strong>Saturday, Feb. 23, 9 a.m.\u20133 p.m., Cherry Park, 1901 E. 45th St., Long Beach, free spay\/neuter for qualifying Long Beach residents; free microchips; shots, flea-med doses, dewormers and nail trimmings $10 each.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the law to fix your pets in Long Beach and many Southern California cities. To add to this, cats can go into heat at 6 months old and have three litters a year, with an average of four kittens per litter. And those kittens have kittens. Who wants to do the math? Fix your cat instead! To provide this costly service to our Long Beach residents who otherwise couldn\u2019t afford it, Fix Long Beach offers this service free of charge. Make an appointment through IM or email at <\/strong>fixlongbeachinfo@gmail.com<\/a>;<\/strong> include (1) your name, (2) address, (3) phone number, (4) pet’s name, (5) age, (6) sex, (7) breed, and (8) weight. Standby available at 8:30 a.m. Vouchers are provided through Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) Spay\/Neuter Assistance Voucher Program<\/strong> for pets without appointments or dogs too large to fit on the vehicle\u2014they may be used at specified veterinary clinics. For both spay\/neuter and vaccinations,<\/strong> all dogs must be on sturdy leashes and all cats must be in dedicated carriers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ongoing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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Adopt, adopt, adopt<\/h3>\n

The following pet-related businesses regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. If you\u2019re a Long Beach-area rescue and don\u2019t see your adoption event listed here, please email\u00a0pets@lbpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Petco Animal Supplies, Marina Shores,\u00a06500 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n