Please send any Long Beach or Seal Beach pet-related events or projects to [email protected]. Posting subject to approval.
Virtually Pets
As written in last week’s Pet Projects, pets aren’t presents. Actually, I wrote “gifts,” and that’s an error, because they are gifts, and so should their humans be to them. Of course, the traditional holiday season—read “gifting season”—brings with it wishes of kittens or bunnies in stockings or new puppies enhanced with red bows to serve as “surprises” to a child or another loved one. Not the way to do it, people, particularly if the recipient hasn’t expressed a desire for one or is just thinking about it.
If there’s an understanding or an agreement that a new pet is in the offing for the holidays, let the person choose the pet. Better yet, let it be a mutual decision between animal and human. First, determine that the person has the money, time, living situation and the inclination to care for an animal. If it all checks out, give the lucky recipient this coupon:
Graphic by Michelle Manion
Then, both of you visit a shelter or a rescue—many of them are online and have photos of pets seeking homes. (To strongly reiterate: do not visit pet stores selling live animals or Craigslist. Obtaining an animal from one of these places gives puppy mills and backyard breeders the ability to continue to do their dirty work.) When a love match is made, pay the release fee, and if you’re in a generous mood, throw in a toy, treats or other accessories. Make sure you get visiting rights, too—you’ll want them!
The following links to shelters and rescues are excellent places to start your search. If you have any change jingling in your pockets, they gladly accept donations. Please email [email protected] or post in the comments section any other legitimate rescues that may have been left out:
Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS)
Live Love Pet Care and Animal Rescue
West Coast Animal Rescue (WeCare)
Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation
Long Beach Spay & Neuter Foundation
Fix Long Beach isn’t a rescue organization, but the hundreds of cats and dogs spayed and neutered there have brought down shelter euthanasia numbers and help lower the number of unwanted animals. They take donations, too! Proud disclaimer: I’m an equally proud volunteer.
This week, we’re featuring dogs being cared for at Live Love Pet Care and Rescue. The founders and volunteers of this organization are some of the most devoted people anywhere. They rescue dogs from nasty situations and work with them to reveal the great creature that they truly are. They run a respected, dependable pet care service as well—they offer pet-sitting, dog walking and consultations, and they’re offering their services on a pay-what-you-wish basis for a first-time in-home appointment up to December 31. In appreciation of their generosity and who they are, this month’s adoption column features three of their little rescues. All that Live Love wants for Christmas are forever homes for every pet.
Please email [email protected] or log on to the link on their name for a free meet-and-greet!
Truffle
Neville
Meet Truffle the Terrible and Neville the Noble (I’ve met them twice and I still can’t tell them apart). They’re 5-month-old holy terrier pups who are ready for a forever family to adventure with! They’re outgoing, playful, all vetted (neutered, chipped, vaccinated—all that healthy stuff) and working daily on their potty training and house manners. Invite puppy love into your home for the holidays!
Abby
What a dear, darling doggie is the Astonishing Abby! She’s a small terrier mix, approximately 3 years old, who had an eye removed because of an injury observed when she was brought in to the shelter. But missing an eye hasn’t slowed her down—she’s a determined gal! Once you’ve gotten acquainted with her, you’ll find that Abby is such a sweet, loving dog who lives to be held and snuggled, reminding you how happy she with frequent kisses. Abby benefits from a daily schedule after a life of scary uncertainty before she was rescued—the Live Love volunteers can understand why. She has a medium energy level, generally likes a mellow household and would do best with older children. She loves her treats and car rides and also does well on leash. Abby is good with small dogs but takes time to warm up to bigger dogs. She’s been spayed, vaccinated and microchipped—ready for forever!
Mark Your Calendars (the People Way)
Pet Photos with Dr. Santa
Saturday, December 10, 2:00PM–4:00PM, Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital, 2665 East PCH, Long Beach
Free event; donations will be collected for Friends of Long Beach Animals
We don’t know how your pet feels about the vet, but Santy Claws? This will be a treat for everyone and a benefit for a great animal welfare organization! Call the number on the flier for a reservation.
Pet Photos with Santa at PFE
Saturday, December 10, 1:00PM–4:00PM and Sunday, December 18, 2:00PM–5:00PM, Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
Suggested donation: $20.00, all proceeds will benefit Fix Long Beach
Santa seems to get around, and we suspect that all the fur on his red suit is pet hair. Visit this community-oriented pet-supply shop for a photo, and after the picture is taken, you may want to do Santa’s shopping for him!
Timmons Subaru Share the Love Pet Adoption Event
Saturday, December 10, noon–3PM, Timmons Subaru of Long Beach, 3950 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach
All adoption fees paid by Timmons Subaru; vehicles not included!
You’ve seen the ads, and now you can put a little love in both heart and hearth this year. This car dealership will actually pay your adoption fees! City of Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) has been selected by Timmons as their Hometown Charity for the Share the Love event, and all makes and models of adoptable cats and dogs will be on display! Santa will be there for photos (he does get around, doesn’t he?), so there will be plenty of photo ops for you and your family. Each pet comes with a lifetime warranty of friendship, affection and love.
Not able to adopt a new family member for the holidays? You can still help shelter animals by donating much-needed items to help them keep cuddly in the winter. Donations such as blankets, towels, heating pads, dog and cat food, dog treats, toys for dogs and cats, cat litter, newspapers, travel crates and cat carriers are always appreciated! Click on the link in this blurb for donation information.
Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic
Saturday, December 17, 7:30AM–4:00PM, Houghton Park, 6500 Atlantic Avenue (near Jordan High), Long Beach
Free to qualifying residents; free microchips; low-cost shots ($10 each); $10 flea med doses
The grassroots free spay/neuter organization Fix Long Beach invites you to make an appointment for your unfixed dog, or get vouchers for free procedures for your dog or cat! These clinics are generously sponsored through Hope for Paws and Eldad Hagar.
Visit this link for qualifications and an application for your appointment. There is also a donation button to help Fix Long Beach continue their efforts. Click the organization’s Amazon Wish List link to donate items, or bring them to the event if you find a better deal!
Let’s continue to help make Long Beach no kill, one pet at a time!
Pet Adoption Event at PFE
Saturday, January 7, 11:00AM–3:00PM, Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
Adoption fees apply
Find your new best friend and everything that he or she could ever want or need, in one place. Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) and 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.
Ongoing
Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS): Free Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics, once monthly; Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics, scheduled days monthly. Locations vary.
See flyer on web page for pricing of services
Beginning this Sunday, February 21, the Society for California Veterinary and Vaccine Care (SCVVC) will offer free spay/neuter procedures and wellness services to residents of the cities served by ACS: Long Beach, Signal Hill, Cerritos, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. During the remaining weeks of the month, Spay/Neuter Project Los Angeles (SNP/LA) will offer low-cost vaccines, nail trimmings and topical flea treatment for residents of the same areas. Click link for locations and times and click the links next to each event for vaccine pricing and other details.
Pet owners must be 18 years or older. All pets must be on leashes or in carriers. Only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. If you have a prior rabies vaccine certificate, license tag or license renewal notice for your pet, please bring it with you to the clinic. Vaccination and microchip services are provided for pets residing in any city. Licensing service is provided for residents within our jurisdiction. Microchips, flea treatment and nail trimmings also available.
Live Love Pet Care: Pay What You Wish for the Holidays
(213) 282-PAWS, through December 31
Cost: Entirely up to you, for the first visit
The holidays are here, and care for your pets is one thing you can check off your wish list! Now through New Year’s Eve, book your first in-home pet care service (dog walking, pet sitting or Overnight) with Live Love Pet Care, and after the visit, pay what you wish!
West Coast Animal Rescue (WeCARE) Online Fund-Raiser
Ongoing, Through Lynch Creek Farm
Prices vary; donations also welcome
Support West Coast Animal Rescue by purchasing holiday products from this family-owned farm. The beautiful products are fresh, no trees are killed to make the wreaths, shipping is free, and you can pick your shipping date. So why support big box stores? Support a small rescue which does great things. Information available here.
Photo by Milles Studios
Pet Photos with Santa and spcaLA Mobile Adoption
Monday, November 14, 21, 28 and December 5, 6:00PM–8:00PM, Los Cerritos Center, 239 Los Cerritos Center, Cerritos
Adoption fees apply
Have your pet’s photo taken with Santa! No pet? There may not be any in Santa’s sack (they aren’t holiday-gift material), but there will be plenty there to adopt! A portion of each photo package sold benefits spcaLA.
Registration for Team spcaLA for the LA Marathon
Saturday, March 18, 5k; Sunday, March 19, Marathon; Dodger’s Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles
5k, $40; Marathon, $175
Join Team spcaLA for the LA Marathon or LA Big 5K and help stop animal cruelty with each step.Visit link for details.
BARK Therapy Dogs Library Appearances
Various area libraries (Long Beach events generally held on Saturdays)
Free event
Dogs love unconditionally. They don’t judge or criticize. And they love a good story. Bring your children to the library to read to these lovely therapy dogs, and watch their confidence in their reading ability grow.
BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids) is an all-volunteer group dedicated to increasing children’s reading skills as well as interacting with pets. Check the calendar page on the group’s website, and find out more about this terrific organization.
Free Pet Food Distributions
Food for Pets in Need provides pet food to senior, homeless, low-income and homebound residents in Long Beach who otherwise may not be able to afford adequate food to take proper care of their pets.
The Pet Food Bank is sponsored by Christian Outreach in Action. See flyer for details.