{"id":939,"date":"2018-02-15T13:01:17","date_gmt":"2018-02-15T21:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/?p=62307"},"modified":"2018-02-15T13:01:17","modified_gmt":"2018-02-15T21:01:17","slug":"playin-fast-and-loose-come-to-acss-open-house-and-see-the-new-dog-play-yard-in-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/playin-fast-and-loose-come-to-acss-open-house-and-see-the-new-dog-play-yard-in-action","title":{"rendered":"Playin’ Fast and Loose! Come to ACS’s Open House, and See the New Dog Play Yard in Action"},"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

[Disclaimer: Author is a proud ACS volunteer]<\/em><\/p>\n

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On Saturday, February 17, from 10:00AM to noon, Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a> (ACS)\u00a0will hold its 2018 Open House. The main part of the event will feature ACS Manager Ted Stevens detailing the progress and highlights of the past year and the presentation of awards to outstanding volunteers. The community is invited to attend to ask questions, offer suggestions, and learn about opportunities for participation to help reduce shelter overpopulation, increase adoptions, and reduce euthanasia. Questions and suggestions will also be accepted.<\/p>\n

\u201cACS continually strives to keep the community safe for people and pets,\u201d said Marie Knight, director of Parks, Recreation and Marine. \u201cAs part of this mission, we are excited to open our new play yard for our four-legged friends currently residing with us\u201d.\u201d<\/p>\n

The highlight of the 2017 ACS Open House was the christening of the mobile adoption vehicle<\/a>, dubbed the Adoption Waggin\u2019, that had been a gift from an anonymous donor and has since been a popular presence at several events. This year, the brand-new Dog Play Yard will be in the spotlight. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony officiated by Mayor Robert Garcia after the main part of the event. Attendees can have a rare opportunity to watch the dogs frolicking and enjoying themselves\u2014the play-group program is in its early stages, and the yard won\u2019t be open to the public with the exception of the ceremony.<\/p>\n

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Our very own Friends of Long Beach Animals<\/a> (FOLBA) <\/em>provided the funds for construction of the yard itself and for staff\/volunteer training for the specialized play-group techniques. Photo courtesy of Dogs Play for Life.<\/em><\/p>\n

The play yard concept has been a program that\u2019s been earnestly campaigned for and anticipated by staff, volunteers and community advocates. In January, team members from the dog-socialization-training group Dogs Playing for Life<\/a> (DPFL) presented a three-day training seminar to ACS staff and volunteers that highlighted the techniques of properly socializing dogs within play groups. Play groups, when implemented properly, will help to reduce stress in dogs and thus make them more adoptable. In fact, in the month following the training, several hard-to-place dogs have gone to new homes.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the dogs that you may see playing their little hearts out in the new play yard. A photo may be worth 1,000 words, but seeing them in action is better than any number of photos. See you then, and stay tuned for more about DPFL!<\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of Dogs Playing for Life.<\/em><\/p>\n

Droopy<\/strong> you just want to hug and chuck under the chin every time you see him! Here he is, yawning during his workout in the play yard! Watching him practically smiling and laughing there with the DPFL trainers and staff was a sight for the sore eyes that saw him sitting in his kennel with a hopeful look in his own eyes. Droopy is a 5-year-old white pit bull terrier who was dropped at the shelter by his owner, and he sure deserves better. He\u2019s well trained, takes treats gently, and loves going for walks. He lived with young kids in his previous household, and I\u2019ll bet that he misses those kids. Ask for ID#A504961<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of ACS.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sandy<\/strong>, a 6-year-old brindle pittie, has been looking for the love of her life ever since her owner surrendered both her and three housemates to the shelter. All three of the other dogs went home, leaving Sandy to wonder why she couldn\u2019t go, too. Sandy has gentle, soulful eyes that match her personality. Ask for ID#A490627.<\/p>\n

The City of Long Beach Animal Care Services is located in the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village at 7700 East Spring Street, near the entrance to El Dorado Park (no charge for Village guests). For the shelter adoptions, enter through the door shown in the photo above.<\/p>\n

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Photo courtesy of ACS.<\/em><\/p>\n

Happy happy Joy Joy Joy! is what dear Joy <\/strong>will be singing when she gets adopted! Joy is another brindle pit bull, 4 years old, spayed and ready to go! She\u2019s everything you could want\u2014sweet, loving and energetic but also ready to lie down and relax with her people friends. Ask for ID#A602927.<\/p>\n

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

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Helen Sanders CatPAWS\/Moon Cat Caf\u00e9 Adoption Event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, February 18, 11:00AM\u20134:00PM, El Torito Grill at Long Beach Marketplace, 66605 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach.<\/strong><\/p>\n

$20 for pastry, beverage and a visit with the cats<\/strong><\/p>\n

The coffee is excellent, so are the pastries, and the cats are even better! Join Helen Sanders CatPAWS<\/a> and Janet Pao\u2019s wonderful cat caf\u00e9 on wheels<\/a> as they both strive to find homes for these pointy-eared creatures! Moon Cat will donate 10 percent of all profits to the cats at CatPAWS!<\/p>\n

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Long Beach Animal Advocates Silent Vigil<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday, March 1, 4:30PM\u20136:30PM, People\u2019s State of the City 2018, First Congregational Church of Long Beach, 241 Cedar Avenue, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Free event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grassroots organization Long Beach Animal Advocates<\/a> (#LBAA) will hold a two-hour silent vigil for the more than 1,100 innocent pets who lost their lives at the shelter. The public is invited to commemorate their lives and advocate for progressive shelter practices to save more lives.<\/p>\n

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Pet Adoption Event at PFE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, March 3, 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.\u00a0Long 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

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Fix Long Beach Eat Your Veggies Fund-Raiser<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, March 5, 4:00PM\u20139:00PM, Veggie Grill, at Long Beach Marketplace, 6451 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Menu prices apply; 33 percent of tab benefits Fix Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

No one will need to force you to eat your nice vegetables at Veggie Grill, and the money you spend will help our local pets be healthy, too! Bring the flier above either printed or electronically, and mention the fund-raiser, and everyone wins!<\/p>\n

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

Fix Long Beach Free Spay\/Neuter Clinic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, March 17, 7:30AM\u20133:00PM, Scherer Park, 6430 E 49th Street (enter from Del Amo Boulevard across from the YMCA), Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spay\/neuter 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. 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 its new location at Scherer Park on this date.<\/p>\n

Make an appointment through IM or email at info@fixlongbeach.com<\/a> for your dog<\/strong>, and include (1) your name, (2) address, (3) phone number, (4) dog’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 8:30AM. 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<\/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

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Drag Queen Bingo Fund-Raiser for Fix Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, May 6, 4:00PM\u20137:00PM, Paradise Bar and Restaurant, 1800 East Broadway, Long Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bingo cards $1 and up; menu and bar prices apply<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grandma\u2019s bingo parties were never like this unless your grandma was your grandfather upon occasion. Hostesses Mia Farrow and Sabrina will be there to spur on the clients to help Fix Long Beach help local pets! Bingo cards and blotters available at the door; great prizes, awesome food and drinks.<\/p>\n

Ongoing<\/h1>\n

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Note: Date extended!<\/h2>\n

Haute Dogs Valentine\u2019s Day Card Contest<\/strong><\/p>\n

To February 17; judging is Saturday, February 17, 2:30PM, Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no fee for P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village guests<\/strong><\/p>\n

Free contest and event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Creative students wanted! Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team will host a card contest for students in the surrounding area. Students will make cards, which will be hung on the cages of all the pets awaiting new homes during this Valentine’s season. The Yappy Hour features the card judging and awards ceremony, love songs will be played, and human refreshments will be served as potential adopters visit with animals. Free to spectate and enter the contest. Card contest winner gets a pizza party!\u00a0 Entrance information available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Kitty Catchers Adoption Event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00AM\u20133:30PM both days, PetSmart, 2550 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite the name, Kitty Catchers catches doggies, too, and some will be there along with the lovely fosters at this event! You\u2019ll find your best friend there and anything else you\u2019ll need to give him or her a good life from then on.<\/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>. Note 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\u2019 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 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

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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

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Shelter-Enrichment Supplies Needed for ACS Dogs and Cats!<\/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