I’m taking a few spare minutes to bang out the yearly reminder of suggestions for easing pet discomfort from July 4 pyrotechnic bangs. Independence Day is no doubt the most nerve-racking day of the year for pets in general; most of them would probably prefer the annual (recommended) trip to the vet for shots.
Although personal use of any fireworks is illegal in Long Beach, you and I both know that things will be a-poppin’ in every corner, backyard and alley, so it’s best to prepare your four-legged buddies. Here are suggestions:
- First, if your cat or dog hasn’t been microchipped, do it now, or go to Petco or PetSmart and get one of those handy ID tags with your pet’s names and phone number on it in case panic ensues he or she escapes the confines of wherever he or she is. These are the best ways to make sure that independence in this case isn’t a bust.
- Don’t take your pet to a celebration but leave him or her at home. That’ll be a less stressful and more secure place, although it’s no guarantee. I have a friend back in Seattle who rescued (actually, stole, but it’s the same thing in this case) a German shepherd named Katy, whose owners would shoot off guns near her ears, and she was understandably skittish about popping noises. The first year my friend had Katy, she was startled by fireworks and jumped through a closed window. Luckily, the neighbors called my friend at work; henceforth, Katy spent the Fourth of July in the wine cellar. SoCal homes are short on cellars, but the pets can be confined to a windowless bathroom (make sure it’s ventilated somehow) with favorite toys, a snack, bedding or blankets, and an audio device playing soft music. Your vet can prescribe a tranquilizer. Don’t try earplugs, as they can become lodged in furry little ears, and cats are notorious for chewing on and eating them.
- At home means “inside the home.” Roaming cats can become startled or hit by fireworks and run into the street and get hit by a car or become hopelessly lost. Don’t tie your dog outside to keep him from running off; the loud noises can frighten him or her and exacerbate escape attempts. Dogs can seriously injure themselves or die in this manner.
- If you’re having a party at home, keep the same rules going, but especially keep booze, lighter fluid, matches and insect repellents away from the pets. Of course, watch out for food toxic to dogs—chocolate, grapes, onions, avocados and tomatoes—and don’t leave bones near dogs or cats. Cooked bones can splinter and be fatal to pets. Of course, give them their own holiday treats because they’ll certainly want something if they see everyone else enjoying themselves.
- Most importantly, educate your children about these rules and especially tell them not to scare or harm pets with firecrackers. And sparklers are not laser toys.
Thanks to Tails pet magazine and spcaLA for suggestions for this column. Sane may be too much to ask for, especially regarding us pet nuts, but definitely keep it safe!
“I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts.”
~ John Steinbeck
Kibble
Even if politics disagree slightly, the more stuff printed here (or anywhere) concerning animal welfare, the better! Long Beach Post writer Asia Morris wrote a great story of a community effort to rescue a dog abandoned on a local freeway median (geez, can you freaking believe people? And they wonder why some of us prefer animals) and its subsequent acceptance to a local rescue. The dog’s adorable; his name is Abe, and if you know someone who may want someone like him, click on this link to the story.
Virtually Pets
Tara, Animal Care Services (IDA524151)
This good news is that Butch and Dude from the last Scratching Post went home. The not-so-good news is that our shelters and rescues are still crowded with virtual pets. The good news is that our shelter’s live-r release-rates (i.e., adoption, rescue pulls, owner retrievals) have increased, and Scratching Post readers as well as other community members have been responsible for that. Here’s a likely candidate, and talk about sane! Well, not with this face. Shelter staff say that Tara’s insanely happy, all wiggles and kisses. She is all wiggles and kisses! She is energetic when she’s out of the kennel, but if you calm down, she does. If you play and run around, she does. She is a gorgeous, wonderful dog. Meet her on the shelter side of Animal Care Services, 7700 Spring St. in El Dorado Park. Tara-rah-boom-de-ay!
Pet Projects
spcaLA July Foster Class, Saturday, July 19, spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St. (in El Dorado Park), Long Beach,10 AM–Noon, FREE
Help a cat or dog better his or her chance to be adopted by offering a temporary loving home. SpcaLA is seeking foster parents for pets of all ages and needs. Anyone interested should complete and submit the application available at this link. SpcaLA provides the supplies—you provide the love and care.
FOLBA’s 20th Annual Benefit for the Animals, Thursday, Aug. 7, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, 6:30PM–10:30PM (approximately), $30
Tradition? You want tradition? Have we got an event for you! It’s Friends of Long Beach Animals’ (FOLBA) long-running traditional evening of classical theater and entertainment. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring “paw food” and wine, Ralph Brunson at the piano, a dine-out raffle featuring local restaurants, door prizes and a silent auction, with merchandise and services generously contributed by local businesses. The Playhouse production begins at 7:30 p.m. with Fiddler on the Roof, the Sholem Aleichim-inspired classic musical about survival in the face of changing family values and religious persecution. This year’s Hero to Animals will also be celebrated at the event.
All proceeds from ticket sales and auctions benefit Friends of Long Beach Animals, a nonprofit all-volunteer organization dedicated to humane education and the welfare of animals in shelters and homes in the Long Beach/Signal Hill area Tickets may be ordered by calling (562) 988-7647 or by visiting the following Long Beach vendors:
Belmont Pets and LaunderPet, 3429 East Broadway, (562) 433-3605
Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Ave., (562) 426-4066
Bixby Knolls LaunderPet, 4102 Orange Ave., (562) 427-2551
Blue Cross Dog/Cat Hospital, 2665 East PCH, Signal Hill, (562) 494-0975
Go Dogs Go, 3440 North Los Coyotes Diagonal, (562) 421-9797
Pussy & Pooch, 4818 East 2nd St., (562) 434-7700
Wags to Whiskers, 5505 Stearns St., (562) 430-5161
Stray Cat Alliance Team Fund-Raiser for Strut Your Mutt, through Sept. 1, Online
Stray Cat Alliance (SCA) is presenting its major fund-raiser for the year as it calls for team members and supporters of the SCA team in Best Friends’ Strut Your Mutt fund-raising dog walk (click on the link). The walk’s mission is to help homeless dogs, and cats will not be left out. The walk itself will take place in the evening at Will Rogers State Historic Park; SCA’s Strut Your Mutt volunteer coordinator Debbie Rankin likes to call it “Date Night with your Best Fur-end.” Because cats prefer to stay at home, you can bring your dog or a friend’s dog to the event with a $30 donation, or if you can’t make it, you can join as a virtual team member or donate to the fund-raiser. Information about the fund-raiser can be found here.
The goal is to raise $25,000 by Sept. 1.
The walk is the only all-volunteer fund-raiser that SCA is holding this year to help offset operation costs and help as many cats as possible. Expenses were huge this year; they included Operation 74, in which SCA pulled 63 out of 74 hoarded cats from the shelter before they could be euthanized, vetted them and had them treated. Some are still being boarded. The organization also engages in daily trap/spay-neuter/ activities; those who can be adopted will be fostered; that takes funds, too. Rankin said that their working capital is at an all-time low.
To support or join, click here. Your donation is tax deductible, and SCA uses all funds to support their good work.
19th Annual Wag n’ Walk Benefitting the Animal Care Center, Saturday, Sept. 27, Eisenhower Park at Seal Beach Pier, Main Street and Ocean Boulevard, Seal Beach, 9AM–2PM. Registration Information Online
Join Grand Marshall Justin Rudd and his dogs Riley and POTUS in supporting the animals in residence at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center! Bring your two- and four-legged friends to stroll through Seal Beach and enjoy our animal expo, with fun for the entire family! Register online, or just come for the fun!