UPDATE – May 2, 2013 | The following message was sent to the Post on behalf of Long Beach Animal Care Services:
ORIGINAL | I was getting a couple of articles ready—one about the Universalist Unitarian Celebration of the Animals and the other for the third and final part of the Animal Cruelty Prevention and Care Workshop–when the following popped up in my inbox. It’s an account by Deborah Turner describing a ride-along she took with an Animal Care Services (ACS) officer.
Deb’s a humane educator and author better known as the late little Wheely Willy’s proud mom. She’s a longtime friend of mine and is one of those people who continuously impresses and sometimes astounds me with a dogged advocacy of dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks and anything animal. We’ve had a rough couple of weeks human-wise on the national front, and I wanted to put in a piece of fluff and place Deb’s communication in the Virtual Pets section after an article, but it merits more than a nod. This is a column about pets, and Deborah’s someone who power-walks the talk when it comes to humane treatment.
“On April 19, 2013, I participated in a ride-along with an animal control officer from Long Beach Animal Care Services. It was a very valuable learning experience and one that I won’t forget. From the beginning of the officer’s shift to the end, they are in constant demand dealing with a multitude of animal related issues. The officer that I rode with was professional, calm, confident and thorough in all her decision making and actions. None of the animals we encountered throughout the day were spayed or neutered. We dealt with birds that had fallen from trees, animal cruelty, dogs left in vehicles, abandoned cats, a cat left in a small trap in the burning sun, and a postman threatened by stray dogs, but for me, the most deplorable situation was three pit bull-mix puppies abandoned in a fenced area in a dog park on the west side of Long Beach. There was no food, water or shade. Besides being badly sunburned, on the verge of starvation and severely dehydrated, all three dogs suffered from demodectic mange. (This form of mange is not contagious, is treatable and the dogs can recover fully.) The two male dogs were in better condition than the smaller female dog. The female was down on the ground and could not lift her head or open her eyes, which were swollen closed. Her body was covered with bloody scabs.
“The three dogs are obviously brothers and sister and their ages are guessed to be between 6 and 9 months. The shelter did temperament testing on all three and found them to be extremely sweet and friendly. On March 25, their time was up at the shelter and they were scheduled for euthanasia. Because of my persistence, which included nagging and begging, the dogs have been given a short reprieve (two days) to allow me to write this letter. I am writing to all of you, my friends, fans and followers, seeking your assistance in rescuing these three dogs. The two males need fostering and some medical care to allow them to heal, and the female will require more extensive care and nurturing. I am sure that these dogs were born in a backyard, have never been inside of a house, left to survive on their own, having experienced the worst forms of neglect and cruelty. Since they are not microchipped, there is no tracing the guilty party.
“Again, time has run out for these dogs at the animal shelter, and they need your help NOW! In addition to responding to this immediate need, please use all of your social media resources to get assistance for these three innocent animals who have never known kindness until coming into the shelter where they have been fed and cared for.
To meet these sweet puppies, visit our shelter at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for the numbers under each photo. Call (562) 570-PETS for more information.”
ID#1493495
ID#1493493
ID#1493494
Virtually Pets
Here are a couple of cats sponsored by people who also spend their own time and energy on rescuing pets—cats this time. If I didn’t have two already (I believe in planned felinehood), I’d take one of them, especially the tiger. He looks like my childhood pet, Mrs. Fineman. If you know anyone, or if your laundry basket is in need of a cat to curl up inside it, contact these people.
This sweet 3-year-old boy needs a loving home. He was found as a stray and had an abscess, and needed medical attention. He had surgery for the abscess and was also neutered, given a flea treatment, dewormed and inoculated. His blood work was good, except that he was FIV positive, which is transmissible through bites to other cats. Because of his temperament and condition, he needs to be the only cat in the home—and be fully indoors, of course—although dogs are fine. He’s a very sweet and loving boy, and needs someone to accept him in their lives for being just that. It’s hoped that someone out there will open their heart to this little guy since he’s already had a rough start. He’s currently boarded at the rescuer’s vet, but time is running out and she can only keep him there until Friday. Contact the rescuer at [email protected].
Sammy is a 6-year old tuxedo cat who looks as if he’s wearing lipstick. He’s shy but full of energy. Sammy has his shots and has been neutered. He’s a good eater, but he can be picky at times! His present human is going into the Peace Corps and they do not enlist cats. She was able to place her other two cats and desperately wants a good home for Sammy. Contact [email protected].
Pet Projects
Sunday, May 19, spcaLA May Foster Class, P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, 10AM–noon
Foster pets need temporary loving homes. This will help better their chances of adoption, and you can help! Potential foster parents (of all ages!) must fill out and submit an application, available here before attending class.
Thursday, June 6, Friends of Long Beach Animals Little Shop of Horrors Benefit for the Animals, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., 6:30–10:30PM
Feed your pets good things, feed yourself tasty finger food at the 6:30 reception, but—don’t feed the plants! Join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) for an entertaining musical evening on June 6 featuring the wonderfully way-out musical Little Shop of Horrors, written by Howard Ashman, scored by Alan Menken, and based on the 1960 B movie of the same name. Our 19th annual Benefit for the Animals at the Long Beach Playhouse begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception featuring—oh, feed me, I’m hungry!—a delicious selection of finger foods, with coffee and cookies at intermission, and tuneful pre-musical music by our favorite pianist, Ralph Brunson. You’ll have time to socialize with fellow animal lovers and browse and bid on silent auction items. Raffle tickets will also be on sale.
At 7:30, beloved Press-Telegram scribe Tom Hennessy will be honored as our Hero to Animals 2013. Then, look out, look out, look out, look out! Here comes Audrey II along with the Little Shop of Horrors cast of real characters to tell a funny, offbeat tale and sing some of the catchiest songs to have ever graced a stage on or off Broadway. Keep the dogs and cats inside, and remember: Don’t feed the plants!
Tickets are $25 and are available at the following locations:
- Ark Pet Salon, 550 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, 430-5057
- Blue Cross Dog/Cat Hospital 2665 E.PCH, Signal Hill 494-0975
- Bixby Animal Clinic 3938 Atlantic Ave 426-4066
- Belmont LaunderPet 3429 E. Broadway 433-3605
- Bixby Knolls LaunderPet 4102 Orange Ave. 427-2551
- Go Dogs Go (open Tues/Sat) 3440 N. Los Coyotes Diag. 421-9797
- Wags to Whiskers 5505 E. Stearns 430-5161
For further information or to purchase tickets, contact [email protected] or call (562) 988-SNIP (7647).