Judy and Kate bring us a slew of pet-related events and news items to bring Long Beach up to date. 

Adoptions 


Hearts for Hounds/Animal Match Rescue Team 
They’re like Oscar and Felix when you see them together. Loomus and Purdue are two of the small dogs available through Hearts for Hounds (HFH). Most HFH dogs come from local area shelters where they have stayed their term and have no other place to go. HFH takes them in and gives them the care and treatment that they need and deserve—and of course spay and neuter them. They are then placed on the Available page on the web site with hopes that someone like you will see them to be as special as the HFH volunteers do. Visit them and their buddies at heartsforhounds.com.



Friends of Long Beach Animals Adoption Candidates
Iris is waiting for adoption in her pink condo at Wiskers. She has been spayed, microchipped and made current on vaccinations, and is now awaiting a forever home. Iris was given up by her owner for no good reason and is but a year old. She were so very shy at first that she hid under the newspaper in the cage while at the shelter, but is now full of fun and looking forward to a lifetime with the same person who will keep her safe. Iris had a cage mate—her best bud, Ivy—but Ivy went home last week and Iris is so lonely. Visit her and fill out an application at:

Wiskers
4818 East 2nd Street
Long Beach, CA 90803
(562) 433-0707

*

Meet Joy, who granted us an interview:


“I am such a sweet and loving kitty. I once had a home but was tossed out into the streets for some reason unknown to me. A nice citizen found me and took me to Long Beach’s animal shelter and boy, am I glad they did! I did not know about cars and how much they can hurt a poor kitty out on her own. I had a lot of competition at the shelter with all the kittens, so Friends of Long Beach Animals thought I could look for a good home at Bixby Animal Clinic. I need someone to want me and who will keep me inside and safe for the rest of my life. I don’t want to ever have to go through this cage thing again, even though I have met some very kind people here. I’m microchipped, spayed and current on all shots. My adoption fee is $90, and my current address is…”

Bixby Animal Clinic
3938 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90807
(562) 426-4066

Friends of Long Beach Animals only rescues animals that are not selected for adoption at the shelter and would be scheduled for euthanasia because no one wanted them. We try to provide that third chance for them to find a home, with the help of our business partners.

Click here for more.


Animal Care Services
Talk about both sides of the kitty coin. These two cats are soooo beautiful—and so bonded. They were dumped by their owner, and both of them love each other so much. They sleep one on top of the other, curled up—your very own yin-yang symbol. They are being held at Animal Control Services in the hope that that someone might come along for them. To qualify to adopt, a home visit is required. See them at the ACS side of the shelter at 7700 East Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90808

Click here for more.


Rabbit at Petfinder.com
There was no room at the inn—or the shelter—for this gentle giant—a 10–12 pounder named Licorice, so our bunny Babe put him on petfinder.com. He’s male, quite young, is neutered and up to date on shots, and most likely is either a Flemish Giant or Russian New Zealand. If you have room in your heart for this big bunny, click here.

Ongoing Events

Contribute to the Humane Society Disaster Relief Fund
The Humane Society of the United States is on the ground in Southeast Texas desperately working to save animals stranded by Hurricane Ike. At the request of the Texas State Animal Resource Team, our highly trained disaster responders are operating in Jefferson and Orange counties, leading both land and water rescues in the devastated region. We’re also establishing emergency sheltering operations and evacuating more than 125 animals from the Humane Society of Southeast Texas in Beaumont to make room for the influx of rescued animals. Our entire relief effort is funded by donations from people like you, and we desperately need your support. Please make an emergency contribution to our Disaster Relief Fund today.

Click here for more information.

A Toy for Every Animal
The City of Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) receives many requests for ways to volunteer to help the animals at our shelter. Currently, Animal Care Services is promoting the slogan “A Toy for Every Animal” to improve health and wellness. Chew toys like the Red Kong toys help keep animals’ minds and bodies engaged, leading to greater health and a higher rate of adoption.


Young Abby is delighted to think of the pooch getting her donated toy

How You Can Help
The City of Long Beach Animal Care Services has implemented a new program for collecting all sizes of Red Kong toys for shelter dogs at LBACS. The irresistible chew toy is indestructible and safe. It can be easily cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Purchasing a Toy Purchase all sizes of Red Kong toys directly here or at most pet stores. Either drop them off at LBACS, located on the same premises as the P.D. Pitchford Animal Shelter, or have them shipped directly to the following address:

Long Beach Animal Care Services
7700 E. Spring Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
Contact: Debra Brubaker, Public Health Associate (562) 570-7387

Donations
We are working closely with our registered rescue organizations, including the Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA), to obtain toys for the dogs as well as the cats in the care of LBACS. Monetary donations to the Friends of Long Beach Animals’ will allow FOLBA to purchase Kitty Woofer balls for cats or the Red Kong toys for dogs. Send the check to:

Friends of Long Beach Animals
P.O. Box 92736
Long Beach, CA 90809-2736

Specify “dog toy” or “cat toy” on the memo line.

Hearts for Hounds
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. every Sunday.
Alamitos Bay Marina Farmer’s Market, E. Marina Drive, just south of 2nd Street, Long Beach, CA.

Hearts for Hounds is also celebrating 10 years at the Alamitos Bay Farmer’s Market and 12,000 lives saved so far. Right now, HFH needs the community’s support more than need financial support to cover the ongoing expenses such as food, shelter, transportation and medical expenses. Ongoing needs include food, bedding, towels, medicines, toys, pet enclosures, bathing needs, cleaning supplies heating pads and donations for medical care, spay/neuter, boarding, transportation and many other things.

To view adoptable dogs, volunteer or donate, click here.

Animal Match Rescue Team
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. every Sunday
Long Beach Petco in the Whole Foods Shopping Center, 6500 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA

To view adoptable dogs, volunteer or donate, visit amrt.net (Long Beach Small Dog Adoption).

Events

Sunday Night Live Comedy – Sept. 21
Comedian Lynda Montgomery hosts two performances of rowdy comedy, and if any one can find the humor in animal rescue, it’s Lynda. Performances are at 6 and 8 p.m. and are accompanied by wine and a raffle. Buy tickets at AMRT Rescue in front of Petco on Sunday afternoons or at the Launderpets for $10, or pay $15 at the door. All proceeds will benefit Friends of Long Beach Animals and Animal Match Rescue Team for spay/neuter education and animal welfare. At Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach 90804

Seal Beach Wag ‘n’ Walk – Sept. 27
The Seal Beach Animal Care Center’s annual event is a chance for you to take a healthy walk with your pet and raise money and awareness for the animals in residence at Seal Beach Animal Care Center. Long Beach neighborhood activist Justin Rudd and his bulldog Rosie will be grand marshals. Participants need not be accompanied by an animal. Fetch information at our web site, here.

Farm Sanctuary Walk for Farm Animals
The Walk for Farm Animals is coming to Santa Monica, and the farm animals are depending upon you to step up and help raise awareness and funds for Farm Sanctuary’s vital rescue, education and advocacy efforts! Take steps toward compassion by participating in your local Walk. Walk begins at 9 a.m. at the Santa Monica City Hall Lawn, 1685 Main St., Santa Monica 90401. A post-walk drumming circle will follow. Companion animals welcome, of course!

Click here for more information.

A Dog’s Life Rescue Sale – Sept. 28
Join us for an afternoon sale to benefit humans’ best friend. Designers, showrooms and various companies have generously donated so many incredible items—clothing for women, men, kids, swimwear, shoes, bags, restaurant certificates, spa certificates, hotel stays and more. Get amazing deals while supporting the animals who so need all of us. The event takes place at Falcon, 7213 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood 90046 from noon–5 p.m. (early bird entry, 11 a.m., $20). For more information or if you have items to donate, please call 310-590-7387

Abbot Kinney Street Festival in Venice, CA
We adopted out 10 cats last year, and Heaven knows, we need to do it this year, too. It’s a big job, and we need many volunteers from morning till early evening. There will be over 50,000 people there. Please, please, please contact Linda at [email protected] to volunteer.

Interfaith Blessing of the Animals – Oct. 4
The annual Interfaith Blessing of the Animals takes place at noon on St. Francis Day at Marine Stadium, 5225 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach. The event is free to the public and their pets. Seniors, families, singles, and children are encouraged to bring their dogs, cats, birds, lizards, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, fish, tortoises and turtles, and other well-behaved pets. After brief orations from each of approximately seven leaders of various faiths in raiment representative of his or her faith, the menagerie of participants will have the opportunity to line up single-file to be blessed by any or all of the clergy. Olive branches and holy water will be available. Free event.

Click here for more information.

Small Dog Festival and Chihuahua Beauty Contest
In conjunction with the Interfaith Blessing of the Animals, hundreds of Chihuahuas and other small dog breeds will be celebrated in a big way at 1 p.m. at the Marine Stadium. Other events include the Pet Adoptions and Vendor Fair, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; the Small Dog Yappy Hour and Contests, 11 a.m.; Interfaith Blessing of the Animals, noon, and Chihuahua Beauty Contest, 1 p.m. All events are free to spectate; the Chihuahua Beauty Contest entry fee is $10/advance or $20 on the day of the festival. Sponsors: Haute Dogs and Councilman Gary DeLong’s office. Vendors and rescues contact [email protected].

Compassionate Cuisine
Join in the celebration of World Vegetarian Day! Delicious vegetarian dishes to sample, music by Makena and appearances by special guest speakers. Tickets are $35 and available online; all proceeds will benefit Animal Acres, a framed animal sanctuary and compassionate living center. The event takes place 5–9 p.m. at the Second City Council Gallery, 435 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach 90802.

Click here for more information.

National Feral Cat Day – Oct. 18
Alley Cat Allies invites you to celebrate National Feral Cat Day (NFCD). You can help spread the message about why feral cats need a different kind of care and how your community can band together to stop the killing of cats in your local animal control pounds and shelters by planning your own special event.  Click here for a list of ideas.

Host a Humane Bloc Party – Oct. 19
The 2008 elections are right around the corner, and the opportunity for animal advocates to form a “Humane Voting Bloc” and have an impact at the voting booth has never been greater. Join the Humane Society Legislative Fund as we party to get political for animals with our nationwide Humane Bloc Party on Sunday, October 19th! Party Animals is a fun and unique way to support the Humane Society Legislative Fund. The HSLF works at the state and federal level on animal protection legislation and works to support humane candidates for office. By hosting a Humane Bloc Party, you can invite your friends, neighbors and co-workers to party with a purpose and become part of the Humane Voting Bloc! It won’t be a party without you.

Click here for more information.

Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade and Pet Adoption Fair – Oct. 26
See Pumpkin Pups, Masked Meowvels, Pirate Parrots and all the critters out for their own trick or treat. The parade starts at 2:30 p.m. on the sidewalks of 2nd Street. Pre-parade entertainment, vendors and adoption fair will be held at Livingston Park, Belmont Shore and will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s the biggest Halloween pet event in the world! Presented by HauteDogs.org and Justin Rudd. (You might want to stay for the huge Kids’ Halloween Costume Contest at 4:30 p.m!)

Please e-mail any Long Beach-area animal-related events to [email protected].

Evening at the Stray Cat Club
The Stray Cat Alliance presents a gala evening of entertainment, vegan entrees and a three-course dinner, silent auctions, a masquerade and Stray Cat Martinis! The event takes place from 5:30–9:30 p.m. at the Historic Ebell Club, 743 S Lucerne Blvd, Los Angeles 90005. Enjoy pet patter from the evening’s host, Warren Eckstein, host of The Pet Show. Honorees include councilmembers Tony Cardenas and Richard Alarcon. Tickets online, $175, $200 at the door; proceeds benefit the Stray Cat Alliance. If you wish to donate an item for the auction or to volunteer, please call (818) 516-1622. If you cannot attend, please consider buying a small tribute ad for $75 in the program, which will be printed in quantities to last all year with information and tips about pet care and animal rescue.

Click here for more information, or click here for even more.

Celebration of Caring Celebrity Toast to Carol Channing – Nov. 15
Actors and Others for Animals presents its major fund-raising event to raise needed funds to continue services and programs. The fabulous Carol Channing is the honoree. The event features a no-host cocktail and silent auction, a gourmet vegetarian luncheon, and a program and toast. Individual tickets, $175–225. Send e-mail to [email protected] call: (818) 755-5080 for more information or for tables and/or sponsorship opportunities. 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., Universal City Hilton and Towers, 555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City, CA 91608.

Click here for more information.

In the News

Alert: Toxic Pet Food Recall
Mars Petcare US has announced that it will voluntarily recall products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. This voluntary recall only affects the United States. To see if your brand is being recalled where you live, click here.

Vote Yes on Prop 2
More than 120 factory farming corporations dumped more than $4.5 million into the “No on Prop 2” campaign, bringing their total reported contributions to more than $6.7 million. And this demands a response. Please make a donation today to help us fight back against these abusive factory farm giants!

Click here for more information.