In the true spirit of the season, the tofu turkey has hardly defrosted for Thanksgiving and the holiday lights are already up. No worries on our part—generosity should not have a season. Here are some wonderful projects in the spirit of love and giving to all members of the animal kingdom.
Long Beach Animal Care Services Wish List
For the holidays, as always throughout the year, ACS needs supplies and toys for the Shelter guests and residents in need. The Shelter and the PAWS Long Beach Committee keep a wish list of items ( click here ) and in-kind needs to promote animal health and well-being. The list includes such necessities as toys (especially those neat, chewy-tough Kongs), bedding, blankets, towels and gifts that can be used as Shelter giveaways to promote responsible pet ownership. Donations of all sizes can also be made to the ACS Spay/Neuter, Emergency Veterinary Care, Education or Shelter Improvement funds. Drop any donations off at the Long Beach Shelter at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815.
Friends of Long Beach Animals Shelter Cat Comfort Campaign
“The kittens were nestled all snug in their beds….” With no apologies to Clement C. Moore—for he would surely have approved—the kitties at Animal Care need creature comforts in the form of Kuranda beds. Kuranda beds are sturdy, washable and durable. They fit perfectly into the cat cages at the shelter and would give the cats a place to rest above their litter boxes. The Kuranda Company is offering its new cat bed at $62 for two, a special price for shelters only. Another need is a cozy Faux Fleece Bed. The fleece bed has a rim that cats can use as a pillow. These beds are $15 each. To help purchase one or more of the fleece beds or a Kuranda kitty bed, please go to our donation site on our Web page and click on donate. if you prefer to mail the donation, please mark the check “Cat Comfort Campaign” and send to Friends of Long Beach Animals, P.O. Box 92736, Long Beach, CA 90809-2736.
Food Donation Partnership: Food Finders, Friends of Long Beach Animals and the Mayor partner to help residents and pets
For the second year in a row, Mayor Bob Foster and Food Finders are partnering to help shrinking food bank supplies in the Long Beach area. This year’s food drive will also include a request for pet food to help out Long Beach pet owners and their animal friends. Collection barrels will be placed in 24 locations throughout the city. Long Beach-based Food Finders will collect from the 24 locations and then distribute the donated food to more than 100 organizations in Long Beach. There is a special request for Thanksgiving items during the month of November. Friends of Long Beach Animals will be assisting this year by collecting and distributing the donated pet food to people living with animal companions and who find it a challenge to provide for themselves and their pets. Food will be collected until Jan. 31, 2010 and will benefit Long Beach residents. For a complete list of suggested items and drop-off locations, visit this website.
Operation Santa Paws
Extra help is needed for the thousands of abused and abandoned animals in the care of local animal shelters and rescues all over the world. Operation Santa Paws is one group that has spearheaded a drive to benefit less fortunate pets this season. Justin Rudd, the project’s organizer of this annual holiday effort that began in 2001, is encouraging animal lovers to purchase a new dog or cat toy, treat or supply to drop off or donate at one of the locations listed on his Web site. The items will be delivered in time for Christmas to shelters and rescues. And don’t forget the best gift for any shelter or rescue animal: a forever, loving home. Details here.
Pet Projects
Now that Assembly Member Pedro Nava’s Dogfighting Bill (AB 242), which increases the penalty for spectating at a dog fight, has been signed and approved by the governor and chaptered into the state penal code, District Attorney Steve Cooley is offering an early holiday gift to dogs and small “baiting” animals used to supplement the incomes of people who define sport as dogs chewing up kittens and pet rabbits and then ripping each other to shreds. Cooley has initiated a 24-hour tip line that offers a reward of $5,000, funded by the Humane Society of the United States, to anyone reporting information that leads up to the arrest and conviction of anyone engaging in this horrible practice. The 24-hour tip line number is (877) NO2FITE. Additionally, Cooley advises anyone seeing a dog fight in progress to dial 9-1-1 immediately. Read Tracy Manzer’s disturbingly heartrending Press-Telegram story by clicking here.
Virtually Pets
Mr. Gutsy
Mr. Gutsy is one of the many instances of pet abandonment and overpopulation due to lack of human responsibility. Mr. G. joined this planet’s feline population a few months ago—a handsome brown tabby with green eyes and a white bib and socks. A family felt sorry for him and fed him. Then one day, the family was gone, the house empty. No more food or water, no children to play with. So, one morning, Mr. Gutsy found himself in a carrier and off on his first car ride with a neighbor couple who just couldn’t leave bad enough alone. He left a couple of “items” at the vet and came back with his shots. He’s now temporarily living in a condo at the couple’s home. They have room in their hearts but not in the house. Do you have both? Contact [email protected] if you do.
Michelangelo
How’d you like a Michelangelo in your home? Hey, we’ll use any pitch to get an animal into a loving household, but you can see that this cat’s a real work of art—a genuine soft sculpture! He’s a sweet and loving kitty who ended up in the streets, and he’s not a fighter! Long Beach Animal Care Services gave him shelter, and Friends of Long Beach Animals brought him to Bixby Animal Clinic to display. He’s very grateful for Dr. A. and the staff for getting him in shape. He’s been neutered and microchipped and is current on shots. His adoption fee is $60. Meet him at Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach 90807, (562) 426-4066.
Rocky
Rocky is a brown brindle-and-white male Chihuahua who seems to be trying out for the lead role in a remake of Lady and the Tramp. He is about 2 years old and is looking to be the star in your show. For more information about Rocky, call Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387. Ask for information about animal ID number A251864.