{"id":627,"date":"2018-07-26T16:44:43","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T23:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/?p=71456"},"modified":"2018-07-26T16:44:43","modified_gmt":"2018-07-26T23:44:43","slug":"theyll-haunt-you-stare-you-down-and-steal-your-heart-and-soul-in-the-best-way-black-cat-adoptions-at-midsummer-scream-and-at-large","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/theyll-haunt-you-stare-you-down-and-steal-your-heart-and-soul-in-the-best-way-black-cat-adoptions-at-midsummer-scream-and-at-large","title":{"rendered":"They\u2019ll haunt you, stare you down and steal your heart and soul in the best way. Black cat adoptions, at Midsummer Scream and at large"},"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

Virtually Pets<\/h1>\n

Black cats have long been equated with tales of terror and bad luck. There are several classic horror stories that feature black kitties, such as the Edgar Allan Poe tale that featured a hapless midnight-furred feline and, of course, the countless occult films and stories in which black cats trot after witches, supervising their spells and advising them about important stuff, like where the best sale on canned tuna is.<\/p>\n

But the only recipient of bad luck is the black cat itself. Cats of this color\u2014and cats in general\u2014fell a long distance from the worship they enjoyed in ancient Egypt and other civilizations of antiquity when the Middle Ages reared a collective ugly head and new beliefs usurped the old<\/a>. \u00a0Cats as well as people suspected of practicing dark arts were burned alive; then, in a touch of irony, the kitties were saved by the Black Plague when they were recruited to kill rats, which were believed to carry the disease.<\/p>\n

Even today, black cats are what David Markham, the mad puppeteer behind the Midsummer Scream horrorfest, likes to call the \u201cblack sheep, like all of us.”\u00a0<\/a>Markland was referring to horror fans. Contrary to my initial fear that a black-cat adoption at a convention center full of creepiness and creepy fans would bode ill for the cat, there are in fact myriad animal lovers who adore cats of all colors. I too love horror stories, after all.<\/p>\n

And black cats, despite the belief that they\u2019re used for cruel purposes during Halloween, are more likely to be adopted for the scary season, the way baby chicks and cute bunnies are at Easter, and then dumped somewhere when the candy\u2019s put away and the jack-o\u2019-lanterns begin to rot. To make matters worse for the beautiful basic blacks, when adopters visit shelters and rescuers, the superstitious among them avoid black cats like the Black Plague, again ironically.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s Midsummer Scream featured the Black Cat Lounge, an interactive space in which people could play with a black kitten and perhaps take one or two or three or four home. The little guests are there courtesy of the all-volunteer Kitten Rescue<\/a> in Los Angeles, and believe me, this bunch checks out adopters with a fine-tooth flea comb.<\/p>\n

Midsummer Scream will be lurking within the thresholds of the Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Ticket-sale and general information are available here.<\/a> If you\u2019re going, be sure to meet up with these denizens of the Black Cat Lounge and their glossy little cohorts.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The unholy trio comprises\u00a0Baldwin, Britt Nicole<\/strong> and little Poblano<\/strong>. Poblano is making a guest appearance\u2014he was adopted right after the photo was taken! But the\u00a0other two will be there, plus plenty of other black kittens. Britt Nicole is super-outgoing and loves people; Baldwin is sweet but very independent, and he likes to spend his time playing more than cuddling. All in the photo are 4 months old.<\/p>\n

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Baldwin\u00a0<\/strong>insisted on a headshot\u2013he wants to be the next Pyewacket in your palace.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ebony<\/strong>\u00a0likes to know who her visitor is before she does any palm reading or rubbing\u2014she’s quiet at first, very sweet and friendly. Once she gets comfortable in her environment and around people, she becomes very bold, outgoing and adventurous.<\/p>\n

What\u2014not going to Midsummer Scream? Never fear (and you will, if you\u2019re at the event). We have locally sourced black kitties as well as the imports. Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a> , 7700 E, Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors) has put together this trailer so harrowing that you\u2019ll be awwwwwwwwwwstruck!<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/LongBeachAnimalCare\/videos\/1974889399198366\/<\/p>\n

And to quote another icon, the late Jade (Judith DeFrain) of the venerable Eye of the Cat<\/a>\u00a0on Broadway, \u201cfamiliars pick you. If an animal chooses you, it was meant to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Things to Do, Pets to Support<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Moon Cat Caf\u00e9 at Fourth Friday<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday, July 27, 6-9 p.m., Artistic Edge Framing, 410 St. Louis Ave., Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moon Cat Cafe is as excited as a calico in a bed of catnip to participate for the first time in Fourth Friday, hosted by the Fourth Street Business Association! The unique mobile cateteria will partner with the amazing local nonprofit cat rescue\u00a0Zoey’s Place Rescue<\/a>\u00a0to feature adoptable\u00a0cats onboard. You can socialize with them (and perhaps even bring one home forever!) while enjoying a cup of fresh-brewed gourmet coffee and a delicious pastry! [Butt-in disclaimer by the author: some of the best coffee and goodies I\u2019ve had. Of course, the cats supersede even that quality]. Zoey’s Place Rescue will receive 10 percent of the proceeds to support their incredible work of fostering and providing urgent medical care to cats in need. (If you\u2019ve been to Fourth Street even when an event isn\u2019t in progress, you know how limited the street parking is, so bring your bike, take the bus, hail a rideshare, or walk. Of course, you can arrange to pick up your new kitty!)<\/p>\n

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Scoop Up a Cat at P. D. Pitchford<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through Sunday, July 29, 10 a.m.\u20135:30 p.m. Wednesday\u2013Friday and 10 a.m.\u20134:00 p.m. Saturday\u2013Sunday, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach (at entrance to El Dorado Park; no parking fee for shelter guests)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pick your price!<\/strong><\/p>\n

ACS and spcaLA have cats of all shapes, sizes and temperament (primarily sweet). Come down to find your new foot and heart warmer, and pick your own adoption price! Adopters must still meet all qualifications.<\/p>\n

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Fix Long Beach Free Spay\/Neuter Clinic\u2014CATS THIS MONTH, sponsored by Justin Rudd and his Community Action Team!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, August 11, 7:30 a.m.\u20133 p.m., Ramona Park, 3301 E. 65th St. at Obispo Avenue, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have your cat spayed or neutered free with appointment and qualifications; vet appointment with voucher, minimal charge for dogs and cats; flea meds $10; shots and dewormer $10 each; nail trimming, $10<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s now the law to fix your pets in Long Beach and many Southern California cities. It\u2019s also kitten season, still burgeoning and blooming, and crowding shelters with cats and kittens that will likely be subject to euthanasia if a rescue doesn\u2019t pull them or people come to adopt them.<\/p>\n

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. The spay\/neuter truck will be at Ramona Park on this date to fix cats.<\/p>\n

Make an appointment through IM or email at <\/strong>info@fixlongbeach.com<\/a> for your dog<\/strong>, and include (1) your name, (2) address, (3) phone number, (4) pet’s name, (5) age, (6) sex, (7) breed, and (8) weight, and Fix will see if they can schedule you. You can also come as a standby, but be there at 8:30 a.m.. Make sure that your pet has had nothing to eat or drink past 10:00PM the previous night.<\/p>\n

To donate, visit our page<\/a>. In-kind donations such as leashes, collars and toys can be brought to our event or ordered through our Amazon wish list.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

For both spay\/neuter and vaccinations,<\/strong> all dogs must be on sturdy leashes and all cats must be in dedicated carriers. <\/strong>Fix thanks you in advance for being responsible for your pet\u2019s health and for helping to reduce shelter overpopulation and euthanasia.<\/p>\n

\"Kitten<\/p>\n

Saving Kittens\u2019 Lives workshop and fundraiser, with Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re expecting an eccentric cat person raving about kitties, yes. But you have no idea where her whimsies will take you or how much you\u2019ll learn about cat care! Hannah Shaw can captivate an audience the way that little birdie does to the cat on the other side of the window\u2014she\u2019ll teach you how to care for underage, orphaned kittens so that more lives will be saved. Best of all, your ticket purchase will help The Little Lion Foundation do just that as well!\u00a0Purchase tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, El Dorado Park West Community Center, 2800 Studebaker Road, Long Beach. $39.95; a portion of ticket sales will benefit\u00a0<\/em>The Little Lion Foundation<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ongoing<\/h1>\n

Pet Adoption Locations<\/strong><\/p>\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 pets@lbpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of West Coast Animal Rescue<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Petco Animal Supplies, Marina Shores<\/strong><\/p>\n

6500 Pacific Coast Highway<\/strong><\/p>\n

Helen Sanders CatPAWS<\/a> permanent adoption center, store hours<\/p>\n

Rabbit Rescue Inc.<\/a>, adoptable rabbits daily, store hours<\/p>\n

Live Love Animal Rescue<\/a>, first Sunday of the month, 1-3 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unleashed by Petco<\/strong><\/p>\n

600 Redondo Ave.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Foreverhome Pet Rescue, Inc.<\/a>, Sundays, noon\u20134 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PetSmart, Long Beach Exchange<\/strong><\/p>\n

3871 N. Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cat Cove<\/a>, Saturdays, noon\u20134 p.m.<\/p>\n

Jellicle Cats Foundation<\/a>, \u00a0Saturdays, noon\u20144 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PetSmart Signal Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n

2550 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kitty Katchers<\/a>, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.\u20133:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Stray Cat Alliance<\/a>, permanent adoption center, store hours<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PetSmart Compton<\/strong><\/p>\n

1775 South Alameda St., Compton<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zazzy Cats Kitty Rescue,<\/a>\u00a0permanent adoption center, store hours<\/p>\n

Rabbit Rescue Inc<\/a>., \u00a0one adoptable rabbit daily, store hours<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PetSmart Seal Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Helen Sanders CatPAWS<\/a> permanent adoption center, store hours<\/a><\/p>\n

West Coast Animal Rescue<\/a>, Saturdays, noon\u20134 p.m.<\/p>\n

Dogs in Need<\/a>,\u00a0Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.<\/p>\n

Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pet Food Express Cat Adoption Center<\/a>, permanent adoption center, business hours<\/p>\n

alternate weekends, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/p>\n

Fix Long Beach<\/a>, occasional weekends<\/p>\n

Live Love Animal Rescue<\/a>, first Saturday of each month, 11 a.m.\u20132 p.m.<\/p>\n

Ozzie and Friends Rescue<\/a>, 11 a.m.\u20132 p.m., alternate Sundays<\/p>\n

The Little Lion Foundation<\/a>, \u00a0alternate weekends, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bank of America, 5101 Second Street, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Long Beach Spay & Neuter Foundation<\/a>, 11 a.m.\u20133 p.m.<\/p>\n

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\"Strut<\/p>\n

Register for Best Friends\u2019 \u2018Strut Your Mutt\u2019 Walk Event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Imagine this: You\u2019re surrounded by animal lovers just like you. Everywhere you look, there are dogs of all shapes and sizes, all happy with tails wagging. Excitement is in the air.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to imagine it. That\u2019s what Best Friends\u2019 Strut Your Mutt is all about! This year\u2019s L.A. Strut takes place Oct. 20 (time to be announced) at Exposition Park. This fur-filled festival not only rallies friends, family and neighbors to help save the lives of homeless pets in your community but it also supports the lifesaving work of Best Friends Animal Society. You can find everything you need to know right here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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BARK Therapy Dogs Reading with Kids<\/strong><\/p>\n

See <\/strong>website <\/strong><\/a>for information<\/strong><\/p>\n

Founded in 2007, BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids) is a nonprofit all-volunteer program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Students sometimes find it intimidating to read in front of classmates but love to read to the non-judgmental, calming dogs. BARK now has\u00a0170 teams listening to kids in more than 100 schools and libraries in California\u2014Long Beach libraries visited monthly are Bach, El Dorado, Bayshore, Brewitt and Los Altos; outlying-area libraries include Hawaiian Gardens, Iacoboni and Los Alamitos. BARK teams also visit nursing homes, senior living facilities and veteran centers. They even de-stress college students during finals week! For all events, check out BARK\u2019s calendar<\/a>. To find information about volunteering your furry buddy or to arrange a visit to your school, library or other community, contact the group at barkreadingdogs@aol.com<\/a> or 562-235-8835.<\/p>\n

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SNP\/LA Mobile Low-Cost Pet Vaccines<\/strong><\/p>\n

Locations and dates vary; visit link in text<\/strong><\/p>\n

For low-cost vaccines, visit this link<\/a> \u00a0Note that pet owners must be 18 years or older, all pets must be on leashes or in carriers, and only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. Please bring prior vaccination information with you to the clinic. Vaccination and microchip services are provided for pets residing in any city. Licensing is provided for residents within our jurisdiction at Saturday clinics; please bring your renewal notice and rabies certificate with you. Low\/cost spay\/neuter information is also available through SNP\/LA.<\/p>\n

Free Pet Food Distributions<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Papa, a big \u201cteddy bear” of a dog, sits with his human in Ashlee\u2019s Pet Care station at Beacon for Him.<\/em><\/p>\n

Beacon for Him<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0has extended an outreach for people experiencing homelessness and their pets. Pet food, primarily dog food, is available at their facility at 439 W. Anaheim St., Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. 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

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The Pet Food Bank<\/strong> is sponsored by Christian Outreach in Action<\/a> . COA is located at 515 E. Third St. Long Beach. Hours are Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\"Shelter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shelter-Enrichment Supplies Needed for ACS Dogs and Cats!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Drop-off: Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m.\u20135:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.\u20134 p.m., 7700 E. Spring St., 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 more donations (there are plenty for the cats!). Here is what\u2019s needed:<\/p>\n