March practically sits up and begs to be an animal-themed month with its simile-seeded saw about its erratic weather. Heck, this year, St. Paddy’s Day will be devoted to paddy-paws. This month features Long Beach’s second annual Animal Care and Cruelty Prevention Workshop (more about this in the next Pet Post); the Second Chance Pet Adoption and St. Patty’s Pet Pageant and Pet Fair (don’t try saying that with a mouth full of kibble); the 5$ Felines St. Patrick’s Day (to which they’re referring as “St. Catrick’s Day,” of course) Adoption Event at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center; Chihuahuas flying through the air with the greatest of ease in an effort to move many unwanted little leprechauns to homes across the country; our Animal Care Services’ low-cost pet clinics; and an entire week devoted to a dog-themed book, featuring many worthwhile, enjoyable events, including Bark Twice!, a howling good time at Good Neighbor Park on (three guesses when) St. Patrick’s Day. You’ll need four working legs to take everything in. Here they are, in order of appearance:
Low-Cost Pet Clinic, Saturday, March 9, 9–10:30AM, Marine Stadium, 5255 Paoli Way, Long Beach; 12:30–2PM, Caesar Chavez Park, 301 Golden Way, Long Beach
Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) continues to provide our community with otherwise difficult-to-obtain health and safety care for their pets. No reservation is necessary, but only cash is accepted for vaccinations! A state-licensed vet from the Southern California Veterinary Vaccine Clinic (SCVVC) will be onsite to provide the shots, and residents can process their license renewals onsite as well. Visit this link for a full listing of prices. Low-cost pet clinics are scheduled every month in Long Beach to provide residents with a one-stop shop for vaccination, microchipping and licensing services. Click here for monthly updates.
A Second Chance Pet Adoption Event and St. Patrick’s Day Pet Pageant/Pet Fair, Sunday, March 10, 10 AM–3PM, Good Neighbor Park (2800 Studebaker Rd., Long Beach
The Pet Post USA in partnership with Pet Sit Pros pet sitters and dog walkers, will host a fun and exciting community event created to support a very important cause: pet adoption. The pet-loving community will enjoy music, entertainment, shopping food vendors, and a special St. Patty’s Pet Pageant. Nearly a dozen nonprofit dog and cat rescues groups will be onsite, seeking to find homes for hundreds of displaced pets. A special pet food and pet supply drive will take place and the collection, along with remaining proceeds from the event, will be donated to Homeless with Dogs (yay!), a unique organization that helps care for pets of the Long Beach homeless society.
Air Chihuahua Effort, Tuesday, March 12, spcaLA sponsored
On March 12th, 20 Chihuahuas and other small mixed-breed dogs will wing their way to the Pacific Northwest and make their new homes in Seattle, Wash. In 2009, spcaLA pioneered a new way to combat puppy mills and backyard breeders by taking small dogs from Los Angeles, an area of glut, and flying them to areas of demand across North America. Destination cities do not typically have many small dogs in their shelters, and as such, the pups are adopted in a matter of days—sometimes just minutes—instead of months. What’s better the program can supersede puppy mills and backyard breeders as sources for these pets. Pet owners are able to adopt small dogs instead of purchasing them. To donate to help support these programs, click here.
Bark Twice!, Long Beach Reads One Book Event, Sunday, March 17, noon–4PM, Good Neighbor Park, 2800 Studebaker Rd., Long Beach.
This event promises to be the most activity packed anywhere. Featured will be a marathon reading of this year’s Long Beach Reads One Book selection, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by a number of Long Beach luminaries; Animal Care Services adoption information; demonstrations; vendors; an opportunity for your child to read to the family pet; and a special My Dog Looks Like Me contest, with an optional St, Paddy’s day dress-alike option. There are lots of things for kids to enjoy here. Oh yeah—the grilled-cheese truck is coming (be still, my beating heart)! Bark Twice! isn’t limited to these activities, but to avoid going into one of those “lions and tigers and bears (and lambs), oh my!” things, check out the flyer or visit the website. The office of Gerrie Schipske is co-sponsoring this event.
“5$ Felines” St. Patrick’s Day Adoption Event, Sunday, March 17, 11AM–5PM, Seal Beach Animal Care Center, 1700 Adolfo Lopez Drive, Seal Beach
The Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC) will be hold its second-annual “St. Catrick’s” Day adoption event, and the adoption fee for cats over 6 months old will be slashed to $5! The difference this year is that the event is being held at the new Helen Sanders Cat Facility, a unique no-kill housing that was designed specifically to enhance both the lives of the resident cats and the visitor experience. “Most people think of shelters as depressing places, with sad, caged animals,” said board member Dee Carey. “Here, our cats roam free in large clean rooms with couches, TVs and outside sun porches. Visitors can hang out for as long as they want and truly get to know the individual cats’ personalities.” Volunteers, who spend countless hours with the cats, are also available to assist potential adopters in picking out the perfect furry friend. For $5, you will get a wonderful pet, already spayed or neutered, microchipped and current with vaccinations and flea control. A $350 value, the shelter will also throw in a free initial vet visit! The Facility is expected to be crowded, so visitors are advised to arrive early.
Animal Care and Cruelty Prevention Conference, Thursday, March 21, 5:30–8:30PM, Recreation Park Community Center, 4900 E. 7th St., Long Beach
Learn how to become a spokesperson for the voiceless. The Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office will host its second annual conference in response to the great success from Long Beach and the surrounding communities. Admission is free. The conference will address two subject areas: humane education and legal issues for animal care professionals, prosecution statistics, conviction rates and stats about the animals housed in our local facilities. Deborah Knaan, deputy DA in charge of animal cruelty prosecution and Rebecca Johnson, sergeant of investigations with ACS, will speak, along with other professionals. This is easily the most important event you can attend. Read more about it in the next Pet Post.
Virtually Pets
And here are a few reasons why these events are being held. Cats this week, and you can meet these people at the St. Catrick’s Day event at SBACC. All are altered and current on their shots.
Eleanor is a single mom, found abandoned in a box along with six kittens. She was taken in, raised her kittens, and is now ready for a home of her own, preferably as an only cat (no dogs). She’s about 3 years old. Gee, you’ll think she’s swell.
How could we not include a cat named Limerick? Limerick was found wandering the streets of Seal Beach and was brought in. He’s almost 2 years old. One small problem, which the SBACC folks said isn’t really a problem: he’s FIV positive, which is a feline immune deficiency syndrome similar to HIV. Cats with this condition who receive proper care can live long, healthy lives. For information on this condition, click this link.
Oh, what a big boy, you’re probably thinking, but her name’s Wilma. Most orange cats are male, so Wilma’s a special lady. She’s friendly and affectionate and gets along fine with other cats, but doesn’t like being picked up. She’s 5 years old and has lots of love!
In the manner of all things animal and their well-being, March 4th is a command.
~ Me