{"id":4462,"date":"2012-07-02T20:56:37","date_gmt":"2012-07-02T20:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/pick-of-the-lb-litter-best-rescue-part-2-judy-griffith-just-squeaking-by-but-certainly-not-barely\/"},"modified":"2012-07-02T20:56:37","modified_gmt":"2012-07-02T20:56:37","slug":"pick-of-the-lb-litter-best-rescue-part-2-judy-griffith-just-squeaking-by-but-certainly-not-barely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/pick-of-the-lb-litter-best-rescue-part-2-judy-griffith-just-squeaking-by-but-certainly-not-barely","title":{"rendered":"Best Rescue, Part 2: Judy Griffith — Just Squeaking By (but Certainly Not Barely)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"sweet<\/p>\n

Judy Griffith has had a varying number of rats both wild and tame, each living in his or her own little condo; squirrels running around a backyard feeder; rabbits awaiting rescue at ACS and a local pet-supply store; a guinea pig or three; a couple of wild ravens that eat out of her hand; and a family of wild rats living in the shrubbery. And a dog. Most inconceivable is that she also has a husband of several decades who, while not encouraging the whole thing, has an attitude toward it that borders on support.<\/p>\n

Griffith is known as the Rodent Lady, which probably doesn’t bring to mind the sweet-faced tastefully dressed woman in the photos here.Griffith\u2019s one of the two winners of the Pick of the LB Litter\u2019s best rescue, the other being Animal Match Rescue Team (AMRT) featured a couple of articles ago.<\/p>\n

Griffith has been rescuing rats, rabbits and other little creatures for 17 years. Her efforts, however, didn\u2019t start as a charming Cinderella story with the little fellows scampering at her feet. She\u2019d been volunteering for Animal Control, before it became Animal Care Services and was located on Willow Street, when the staff got information about a police bust of someone who\u2019d purchased rats from local stores and used them for a moneymaking practice that I won\u2019t go into in case children and\/or the fainthearted are reading\u2014I\u2019ll just say that it makes the unfounded story of Richard Gere and the gerbil sound like If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/em>\u201cThe police got the bastard,\u201dGriffith said. And Animal control got six adult rats, males and females together, and a number of babies. The animals were in deplorable condition; one had had her tail taped to the floor and understandably was a biter.<\/p>\n

The Rat and Mouse Club of America (RMCA) http:\/\/www.rmca.org\/<\/a> took the babies and found homes for them. The adults were considered evidence for the crime and had to stay at Animal Control. Griffith cared for them every day for the three months they were there, chopping up vegetables and discussing medical care. But she was concerned about their future well-being; the rats were in a room with cats and snakes, all of whom were licking their lips (do snakes have lips?).<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re going to die here,\u201dGriffith said to one of the Animal Control officers.<\/p>\n

Somehow\u2014I didn\u2019t ask how\u2014she wangled permission to get them home. She took care of them, paying out of her pocket for spay\/neuter as well as a tumor removal for one. Most importantly, she raised their status as second-class citizens of the animal kingdom by soliciting letters from people who loved and had kept rats. This added a deserved count of animal cruelty; the pervert was ultimately convicted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had 350 copies of letters stating that rats were pets,\u201dGriffith said. \u201cPeople from all over and out of state said that rats were pets and were not to be abused or be treated badly. Animal Control had 350 copies, the court had 350 copies, and I still have the 350 copies. I made all the extra copies.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was just the start. Griffith subsequently acquired about 30 mice from a different abuse situation, brought all of them home and determined the sex of each of them.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was not easy sexing them,\u201dGriffith said, which isn\u2019t surprising. \u201cI did not ask Bill if I could bring them home.\u201d That was no surprise, either. Griffith grappled with getting rid of the odor, especially of the males, and a badly bitten finger. When she had it all under control, a rescue came for them.<\/p>\n

\"Memorial<\/p>\n

Memorial Wall<\/em><\/p>\n

But when properly cared for and loved, rats and mice\u2014especially those rats\u2014are clean and love you back.Griffith\u2019s home has become a rats\u2019 nest in only the best sense of the word. A room in the back of the house is a rodent Leisure World. It contains a number of spacious \u201ccondos\u201d with furniture, toys and lots of things to chew on and hide under. A memorial wall holds urns containing ashes of departed beloved creatures, including one who stood out as special: Wild Henry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWild Henry was a wild rat who didn\u2019t act like one,\u201d Griffith said. \u201cHe\u2019d exercise with me, eat out of my dish after dinner, and stick to me like glue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"JEssica,<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Jessica, a wild Norway rat with special needs, interrupts her play-therapy session in her condo to peer out at visitors.<\/em><\/p>\n

Griffith tends to her charges\u2019 health, diet and spay\/neuter needs. They also get exercise outside the cage in the main house, with expected occasional high jinks: one once got loose in the house and was found several days later in a self-made nest after Griffith turned the furniture upside down, and a couple of others a couple of them chewed the polish off her pedicure when she fell asleep barefoot in front of the television.<\/p>\n

Judy Griffith, Rodent Lady and then some: squirrels, rabbits, mice, toenail-chewing domestic rats, dogs, a couple of ravens, and a husband. And wild rats. Why?<\/p>\n

\u201cI just like them,\u201d Griffith said.<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

The only way to wear fur!<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

I think mice
Are rather nice.
Their tails are long,
Their faces small,
They haven\u2019t any
Chins at all.
Their ears are pink
Their teeth are white
They run around the house at night.
They nibble things
They shouldn\u2019t touch
And no one seems
To like them much.
But I think mice
Are nice.<\/p>\n


<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

 <\/span><\/em>~Rose Fyleman<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Virtually Pets<\/h3>\n

As expected, most of our adoption animals for this posting come from Judy Griffith\u2019s mentorship and may be met at Animal Care Services http:\/\/www.longbeach.gov\/acs<\/a> 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

\"G.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

She hasn\u2019t been named, but you will cavy\u2014er, cave\u2014<\/em>to her charms. This female white-and-brown guinea pig is a little over a year old and needs a loving home. Ask for ID#A469191<\/strong> at ACS.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\"Buster\"<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Buster <\/strong>is one of a number of adoptable rabbits at ACS. There were about seven available, but two have already gone to, we hope, forever homes. Buster\u2019s about 5 months old; his ID number is A467845.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\"STacy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Finally, Stacey<\/strong> is a spayed-female lionhead rabbit between one and two years old that Griffith rescued. A free exam at the Long Beach Animal Hospital is included with her adoption, after paperwork has been completed. You can meet Stacey at the Paw Shoppe Pet Center, 6416   East Spring Street<\/span> Long Beach<\/span>, (562) 425-5131.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

\"ChubbyCharlie\"<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

This is Charley, <\/strong>one beautiful, cuddly great big lump of orange sugar! Charley\u2019s owner passed away and left this darling senior (12 years old) with no one to care for him. Charley loves nothing more than a lap and a good book or TV show to listen to. He has a couple of medical issues and he\u2019ll need to lay off the junk food, but he still has some good years left and needs someone loving to spend them with. Meet Charley on the shelter side of <\/span>Companion Animal Village at7700 East Spring St., (562) 570-PETS. Ask for ID#A453274.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Pet Projects<\/h3>\n

Keep Your Pet Safe and Sane <\/em>this Fourth of July<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a reposting from a June 29 Pet Post<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Loud fireworks and noise badly frighten many pets. No night is good for an animal to be outdoors, but this one is particularly stressful for them. Long Beach Animal Control (ACS) offers the following tips on their website<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Keep pets indoors, if possible, or confined to a secure area (never tether an animal because it can lead to more harm or an accidental death).
\u2022 Double-check yard gates to make sure that pets cannot escape.
\u2022 Make certain pets are wearing identification that includes the name and current telephone number of owner.<\/p>\n

We add that if your pet is going to join you for a barbecue, keep to the same rules you would with the kids: keep matches and lighter fluid out of their reach and don\u2019t leave alcoholic beverages unattended.
Visit your vet if you have an especially nervous pet. Veterinarians can provide animals with special tranquilizers to help your pet make it through the night. Do not medicate the animal with human drugs. Consider crating your animal in a quiet room or be sure that there\u2019s a safe place for him or her to huddle. Leave a television or radio on to distract him or her from the stressful noises of the holiday. And for Pete\u2019s sake, don\u2019t take your pet to a fireworks display.<\/p>\n

Pet Fostering Classes, Saturday, July 7, Pitchford Companion Animal Village Auditorium, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, 10 a.m.\u2013noon<\/strong><\/p>\n

Foster pets need temporary loving homes, and you can help pets better their chance at adoption! SpcaLA is looking for foster parents for pets of all ages and needs. Potential foster parents must fill out and submit an application prior to attending a foster class. Application available here http:\/\/www.spcaLA.com<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

17th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, Saturday, July 14, Los Alamitos Race Course, 4961 Katella Ave., Los Alamitos, (714) 820-2690, parking free<\/strong><\/p>\n

This form of \u201cdog racing\u201d\u2014and if you go, you\u2019ll understand the quotation marks around dog racing\u2014<\/em>will be anathema to nearly no animal advocate. This nonwagering event features inches of beloved dachshunds striving for the championship race. Admission is $3; free for under 17. All funds raised benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center http:\/\/sbacc.org<\/a>, and no doxies are in any way harmed at this event. Click here http:\/\/www.losalamitos.com\/wienernationals\/default.aspx?pn=1 for more information!<\/p>\n

Pet Post USA\u2019s First Annual Pet Adoption Event, Sunday, July 15, Good Neighbor Park, 2800 Studebaker Rd., Long Beach, 10 a.m.\u20133 p.m., free, parking available<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no shortage of pets who need forever homes, and there should be one for you. A dozen pet rescue groups, including Long Beach Animal Care Services, have been invited to participate in an adoption event to find loving new homes for nearly 100 abandoned dogs and cats. Cosponsors of the event include Alpha Pet Care, LaunderPet, the Law Offices of Sharma Kliche, and actress Megan Blake. Sharing MC duties will be special guests (the hysterically funny) Lynda Montgomery, comedienne and Animal Match Rescue Team volunteer and Nicole Guillaume, president of Amazing Mutts. There will will be prize drawings throughout the day and spontaneous dances to the Super Smiley Flash Mob 4 Pet Adoption created by Blake and Super Smiley, her famous rescue dog.\u201d This is a nonprofit event designed to support only local pet rescue organizations. Some groups may require an adoption fee to help defray the costs of having rescued rehab, spay\/neuter, vaccinations and microchipping, all of which give their prot\u00e9g\u00e9s a much better chance of being placed in forever homes.<\/p>\n

Pet Post USA http:\/\/www.petpostusa.com\/<\/a> is an online pet media publication connecting pet owners with pet products and services. It has no connection with the Long Beach Pet Post except for the animal-welfare thing.<\/p>\n

Second Annual SoCal Pignic, Sunday, July 15, Irvine Animal Care Center, 6443 Oak Canyon, Irvine, 92618, noon\u20134<\/strong><\/p>\n

Orange County Cavy Haven http:\/\/cavyhaven.org\/, a non-profit 501(c)(3) guinea pig rescue, is sponsoring a fun time for all the cavy ravers (cavy <\/em>is the actual term for these little guys, derived from the species name Cavia porcellus<\/em>). Cavy Haven has been rescuing and rehoming guinea pigs since 2003 and educating people about the need for rescuing abandoned guinea pigs and ongoing care through community outreach and events. The So Cal Pignic is Cavy Haven\u2019s major annual fun-for-the-family fund-raiser, which includes food from sponsors such as zPizza, Phoney Baloney\u2019s and Snopel’s Bakery; health talks, including a talk from exotic-animal vet Dr. Sari Kanfer; raffles and a silent auction; and contests that include a costume contest and a veggie-eating contest for all cavies who attend with their human families! For information, click here https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/events\/375245759194770\/<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

Friends of Long Beach Animals Open Meeting, Thursday, July 26, 6\u20138 p.m., Signal Hill Community Center, <\/strong>1780 E Hill St.<\/span><\/strong><\/span>, <\/span><\/strong><\/span>Signal Hill<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

FOLBA\u2019s http:\/\/www.folba.org<\/a> short business meeting will be followed by a guest speaker from Shoestring City Ranch, Long Beach http:\/\/<\/a><\/span>http:\/\/www.shoestringcityranch.org\/<\/a>.<\/span><\/em> If we can’t entice you with our excellent cookies, other snacks and wet bar (coffee only!), surely our floppy-earned guests from Shoestring will pique your interest! This meeting is open to the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coyote Warning<\/strong><\/p>\n

This warning will run as long as we see cats at large on the street. Coyotes are becoming increasingly bold, and we urged everyone to keep pets inside, especially at night. Judy Griffith, Long Beach\u2019s rat rescue lady, is nonpartisan when it comes to protecting animals, and she has written us in graphic detail about seeing a number of cats in her neighborhood killed by coyotes. Click on the link http:\/\/www.lbpost.com\/life\/2000000280-coyotes-lates-victims-in-naples-area to read the particulars and get tips on protecting yourself and your family from predatory urban wildlife. Sadly, when wildlife are displaced and become urban, they go to any lengths to get their dinners, which results in tragedy for us, our pets and them as well, usually at the hands of humans reed2pns@hotmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Judy Crumpton\u2019s Animal News in the Ninth! Summer Tips for Your Pet<\/strong><\/p>\n

My erstwhile co-writer is getting the word out about animal care to the Ninth District readers (even if you don\u2019t live there, you can read it, of course!). This column, in Council Member Neal\u2019s newsletter, is part one of summer tips for pets, which saves me<\/em> the trouble of writing them! Click here to read<\/a>.<\/p>\n

9 Lives for $9!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Boy, do we have a deal for you! During the summer months, for a limited time only, you can adopt an adult cat for $9. This program, sponsored by FoundAnimals.org, offers the low fee of $9 to adopt one of the many adult cats in shelters in Long Beach, the city of Los Angeles, and L.A.County. All of the cats have been altered, vaccinated and microchipped and may be seen on the program\u2019s website http:\/\/wwwfoundanimals.org\/9lives<\/a>. Ted Stevens, Long Beach Animal Care Services acting manager, said that this program will help the adoption rates of adult cats at the shelters and further lower the euthanasia rates. Kittens get homes faster than cats do because of the cuteness factor; with an adult cat, however, you know what you\u2019re getting and won\u2019t have as much of a chance of dealing with the difficult stage. Click the link above and chose your new BFF! (The full adoption process will be adhered to with this program.)<\/p>\n

LaunderPet\u2019s Pet Model Contest! Through July 14<\/strong><\/p>\n

Does your pet have what it takes to be LaunderPet\u2019s next pet model? LaunderPet is searching for a star-power pooch or a feature-worthy feline to be the star of a new ad campaign. The winner will receive a $350 prize package that includes a $300 photo shoot by Russ Hoover http:\/\/www.russhoover.com and a $50 LaunderPet gift certificate! The new star will be announced on July 16 and will have his or her furry little face featured in local newspapers, social media, websites and a poster at LaunderPet\u2019s local stores http:\/\/www.launderpet.com\/<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

To enter, \u201cLike\u201d LaunderPet’s Facebook page http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LaunderPet, upload a photo of your dog or cat to LaunderPet\u2019s Facebook wall, use the Caption space to say why you love LaunderPet, and Share with your friends and family so they can vote for your pet by liking\/commenting on your pet\u2019s photo. The winner will be determined by the number of likes and\/or comments on each photo.<\/p>\n

Donations Needed for Animal Care Services, Pitchford Animal Companion Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, (562) 570-PETS<\/strong><\/p>\n

ACS thanks everyone who provided donations for their wish list! There have been multiple donations, the list has been weeded further, and the items listed below are still needed. If you\u2019re getting new stuff around the house and want to get rid of some old stuff, or if you know someone with any of the following items, or if you\u2019re just feeling generous, please bring some of these things down (and take home a pet, if you are so inclined!).<\/p>\n