{"id":5489,"date":"2010-07-26T15:15:00","date_gmt":"2010-07-26T15:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/first-cat-first-license\/"},"modified":"2010-07-26T15:15:00","modified_gmt":"2010-07-26T15:15:00","slug":"first-cat-first-license","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/first-cat-first-license","title":{"rendered":"First Cat, First License"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
The Mayor kisses the cat. Noah Foster, held by his mom, First Lady Nancy Foster, receives a buss from Dad. Judy is frankly delighted about the whole thing. <\/em>By Kate Karp<\/em><\/p>\n

12:00pm |<\/strong> It\u2019s been almost a week since licensing of cats became mandatory for the City of Long Beach. Aside from the benefits of healthy cats and a healthier city (through the mandatory rabies inoculations), helping to curtail pet overpopulation (through the mandatory spay\/neuter requirement for all cats in Long Beach), the increased chance of reuniting a lost pet with his or her human (through the license tag or the microchip), and the latest \u201cSweet Bastet on a baguette, what\u2019s about to disturb my nap now?\u201d reaction from the cat, the licensing initiative brought forth the awwwwwwwww<\/em> moment that featured First Cat Noah Foster and his parents.<\/p>\n

\"\"On Saturday, July 17, Noah Foster received license 001, the first issued by the City of Long Beach.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst cat\u2014first cat license,\u201d quipped Animal Care Services (ACS) manager John Keisler as he affixed the tag to Noah\u2019s collar.<\/p>\n

Noah was docile and calm, surprising for a cat in public, as he strolled around the lawn on his lead held by Long Beach\u2019s first lady, Nancy Foster (although he did have a couple of ear-raising moments when the dogs in the kennel barked). Mrs. Foster said that Noah, one of the animals rescued by Long Beach Animal Control (now ACS), travels with them and goes for frequent family walks. With the license and chip, she said, he\u2019s extra-protected.<\/p>\n

\u201cLicensing helps not only Noah but all cats,\u201d Mrs. Foster said. \u201cI urge you to go to the animal shelter and pick out a pet. We got a good one.\u201d (Disclosure: Noah actually picked the Fosters out by reaching his paw from his cage and cuffing them every time they pet another cat.)<\/p>\n

The cuteness factor of the event shouldn\u2019t overshadow the purpose of cat licensing, which has received both praise and criticism. (In full disclosure, Kate wrote the article solo; Judy spearheaded the effort to create and push forward the legislation and so has recused herself from writing.) The legislation was supported by local animal advocates from the community and at the shelter and was brought to the council by 2nd District councilmember Suja Lowenthal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is about equality and how we treat our best friends at home,\u201d Lowenthal said, referring in part to the idea that if there is mandatory licensing for dogs, so should there be for cats. In effect, dog license fees are going toward shelter felines as well as canines.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Noah appeals to a higher power as Suja Lowenthal speaks.<\/em><\/p>\n

The license is mandatory for household cats over 4 months old in the City of Long Beach. Owners must show proof of rabies vaccination and spay or neuter. The actual cost of the license hasn\u2019t been finalized, but ACS is giving licenses free of charge until Jan. 1, 2011. Licenses may be obtained in person or by mailing copies of the cat\u2019s medical papers (get them from your vet if you haven\u2019t kept them) to ACS. The cat\u2019s human has the choice of tag or microchip; I personally prefer the chip because collars can be removed or lost, especially if the cat should run outside. Of course, if a cat with a collar is found with a license tag, you can call the shelter right away. If your cat is microchipped already, send or bring the paperwork to ACS. Click here to download the license application<\/a>. <\/p>\n

An estimated 120,000 household cats live in Long Beach. Health and Human Services director Ron Arias said that so far this year, we\u2019ve had the highest percentage of animal returns and the lowest euthanasia rate in 23 years, but the cat euthanasia rate remains higher than that of dogs and cats far outnumber dogs in shelters. He restated the good effects mentioned in the first paragraph of the article. ACS reported that since Noah padded into the media spotlight, 32 people got cat licenses\u2014and that was during the first 24 hours. As of Thursday morning, the total has grown to 47.<\/p>\n

Even before May 4, when cat licensing was brought up for City Council discussion<\/a>, there have been supporters and critics of the new law. Besides Arias\u2019s statement, the licensing fees will go toward ACS improvements, such as hiring a full-time vet and making inoculations and spay\/neuter affordable for people in need. The intention of this program is not to be punitive to cat owners but to help reunite owners with their lost cats. Criticism has included such opinions as the difficulty of enforcement (I agree) and fees are just another way to get money out of residents (again, the money will be well spent, as ACS is at the bottom rung of the funding ladder). We expect and welcome discussion.<\/p>\n

What cannot be argued, however, is that few felines enjoy a ride anywhere and an even smaller number like the vet. Even though a trip to the pet doc is no picnic for many dogs, it\u2019s worse for cats and their humans. We searched to find a veterinarian who makes house calls, but couldn\u2019t. If anyone knows of a local house call vet whom they recommend, please post it below. Greg Perrault of Cats and Dogs Animal Hospital<\/a> also attended the event and said that one of the things that ACS is working on is a mobile clinic. But so far, we have to rely on subterfuge to get kitty into the carrier. My friend Margo Carter\u2019s cats become recalcitrant and whiny when it comes to trips; she suggests quietly getting your carrier open and ready and hour or so ahead of time, and then hide it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the cat hears that carrier open, [he or she] will probably be under the bed before you know it,\u201d Margo said.<\/p>\n

When the cat has forgotten (or seems to have forgotten) that you\u2019ve lugged the carrier down from the shelf, quickly catch the animal and put him or her into it. Ignore the sounds of abject misery and torture on the way to the vet. Instead, put on soft music and talk to them\u2014to no avail, Margo tells us, but it makes her feel better. Be sure the car isn\u2019t stiflingly hot. Depending on your vet, they may be able to give the inoculations through the carrier; at any rate, let the vet remove the cat from the carrier.<\/p>\n

\u201cOdd how, on the way home, the meowing pretty much\u2014well almost\u2014stops,\u201d Margo said. 
<\/p>\n

For FAQs about cat licensing, click here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"\"What the heck do you mean\u2014the license fee\u2019s coming out of my allowance? Photo by Nancy Foster<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCats are aliens who took over the world years ago.\u201d
–Unknown<\/div>\n


Virtually Pets<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Harley<\/strong>
Deborah Turner, the spunky human companion of the beloved Wheely Willy, is quick to respond to an animal in need. Meet Harley, a purebred dachshund left lying on a lawn in the rain, unable to stand and walk. He was taken directly to Long Beach ACS, where the nonprofit animal organization Friends of Long Beach Animals donated a complete medical evaluation, and Medical ID Systems donated a cart to help Harley get around. And he did. Because of Turner\u2019s experience and expertise gained by living with a special-needs dog, FOLBA asked me to foster Harley.<\/p>\n

Now, Harley no longer needs his wheels. He\u2019s recovered, healthy and happy, and runs and plays on his own. He\u2019s sweet and docile, loves to go on walks, and adores children, other animals and, naturally, attention. He\u2019s been neutered and vaccinated. After getting a wonderful new lease on life with Turner, Harley will continue to enjoy life and provide his new family with years of love, loyalty and laughter. E-mail Turner at Deborah@wheelywilly.com.<\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/span><\/p>\n

Suja Tours ACS<\/strong>
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Back in November 2008, we introduced the new ACS manager, John Keisler and, with the help of our dauntless editor, Ryan, toured the ACS facility<\/a>. Now, John\u2019s passed it forward to 2nd District councilmember Suja Lowenthal. Click here<\/a> to view.

Order Your Spay\/Neuter California License Plates<\/strong>
New license plates that foster spay\/neuter and help California\u2019s shelters are available for order. Revenue from the plates, designed by actor Pierce Brosnan, will fund spay\/neuter surgeries through local animal care and control voucher programs such as the ones in operation through Long Beach Animal Care Services; none of the proceeds will go toward shelter overhead costs. Plates will be sent out when 7,500 have been ordered\u2014great way to fund a great cause and get people aware of pet overpopulation. Click here<\/a> to view and order the plate.

Thursday, July 29, FOLBA Annual Membership Meeting and Elections<\/strong>
Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) will elect its 2010\u201311 board at 6:30 p.m at the Signal Hill Community Center, 1780 E. Hill St., Signal Hill. Special guests include Greyhound Pets, from the racetrack to the couch. Click here<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The first cat to receive a license in Long Beach, now mandatory, belongs to Mayor Bob Foster and First Lady Nancy. As you can see, Noah was delighted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","inline_featured_image":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_":"","_author_alias":"","cap-aim":"","cap-description":"","cap-display_name":"","cap-first_name":"","cap-jabber":"","cap-last_name":"","cap-linked_account":"","cap-newspack_employer":"","cap-newspack_job_title":"","cap-newspack_phone_number":"","cap-newspack_role":"","cap-user_email":"","cap-user_login":"","cap-website":"","cap-yahooim":"","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_email_html":"","newspack_email_type":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_show_share_buttons":"","newspack_sponsor_byline_prefix":"","newspack_sponsor_disclaimer_override":"","newspack_sponsor_flag_override":"","newspack_sponsor_only_direct":"","newspack_sponsor_url":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-5489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pets","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5489"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5489\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5489"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=5489"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=5489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}