Please send any Long Beach or Seal Beach pet-related events or projects to [email protected]. Posting subject to approval.

Virtually Pets

Meet Sandy.

She looks lovely, lithe and completely at home now, but just a couple of weeks ago, someone schlepped her to the shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services with her kitten. The kitten was old enough to be swept up by a rescue with a number of other kittens, but Mama Sandy was left behind.

I don’t know which rescue it was that didn’t take Sandy, and I don’t know why they didn’t. Maybe they couldn’t find a foster for her. Maybe they were cash strapped—a lot of rescues are. They rely on donations and spend their own money on food, medical bills, spay/neuter and sometimes boarding. Who knows? What we do know is this:

• Kittens are cute (not that adult cats aren’t) and get scooped up by people who want kittens.
• We’re in the throes of kitten season, when thousands of young cats are born. The ones who are rescued often displace the older ones in shelters, where space is limited.
• ACS is open-admission, which means that if no one comes to rescue the adult cats and they run out of space to house them, longtime residents could face euthanasia.

Shelter staff generally hate this as much as animal advocates do—probably more so because they have to face scheduling the procedures and condemn cats and dogs they’ve bonded to—and most if not all are animal lovers. And there’s a hyperactive rescue community in and around Long Beach that’ll pounce on stuff like this and scamper off with it.

One of these efforts is the Facebook page Saving Long Beach Shelter Cats (and FYI, there’s a companion page, Saving Long Beach Shelter Dogs). Both pages are networking tools that alert potential adopters and fosters to come forward to rescue the animals who may face an untimely death.

Sandy’s situation hit a nerve with the cat rescue group. After they networked her and the kitten, a rescue came to the shelter to pull kittens, including Sandy’s, and left Sandy behind. Granted that the kitten was old enough to leave Mom, but what happened in this case shines a light on the plight of the “less adoptable” adult cats who are ignored for “cuter” kittens. Quotation marks are mine.

What boded further ill for Sandy was a urinary-tract infection that she needed meds for. Happily for Sandy, the community sprang to action”: Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation offered to pay for her medical needs, and Helen Sanders CatPAWS headed for ACS and pulled Sandy for care and future adoption. She’s being vetted and spayed, and will be ready to go soon. She’s striking—svelte as a snake, with an equally serpentine tail. She’s all white except for striped patches on the ears, stripes on the tail and two funny little black marks on the schnoz. And she’s just a year and a half old and would have been good for a ton more kittens if she hadn’t been brought in to ACS. Now, she gets to live out a life of leisure. If you’re interested in adopting her, please complete the application on the website and email it to [email protected].

I love kittens—it’s just that we’re not as worried about the healthy ones getting homes as they are about the adults and seniors (bottle-fed kittens are another story). Adult cats are great. They are who they are—no kitten nonsense—and many have years ahead of them. Even the elderly ones deserve to enjoy the remainder of their nine lives. They still have play in them, but they also have those cozy moments with you and a book (or a Kindle), a cat nap, and sitting on the rim of the bathtub purring and wondering what kind of jollies you could be getting from lying around in water. And if you’re old like me, you don’t want to grab up kittens only to have them outlive you.

Here are a few grownups who’d love to go home with you. They’re being taken care of by CatPAWS, by Jellicle Cats, and by The Little Lion Foundation, which did a lot of work in helping Sandy get out. And there’s one from ACS, too. There are wonderful cats at the shelter, and you can be a first responder yourself!

Diana

This lovely tuxie is a year and a half old. She loves human attention and will chase you around for love all day long. She was lucky enough to wind up in rescue with The Little Lion Foundation after being thrown out of a vehicle (!). She does okay with small dogs, but would do best as a single cat. To adopt Diana, email [email protected].

Bella

This dear gal was taken out of a shelter just before she was to have been euthanized. She was matted, dirty, covered in fleas and emaciated. Now, she lives up to her name. She is so affectionate and loves people! She gets along with other easygoing, nonaggressive cats. She seems to have some irritable bowel issues (demure lady that she is, she would be embarrassed that we’re talking about that, but we think you should know) that appear to be under control and managed with medication and probiotics. If you’re interested in adopting her and can handle minor issues, please complete the application on the website and email it to [email protected].

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Cookie

Kittens came, kittens went. First one kitten season, then the next. Meanwhile, community cat Cookie waited patiently for his turn to be rescued. He had a caretaker and was safe at a park where he lived, but what he really wanted, was to be inside a home.

When would it be his turn?

Cookie was TNRd as a young adult cat in 2016. Today, he’s in foster with Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation, wondering: “When will it be my turn to have a family all to myself and to finally have one of these special Forever Homes I keep hearing about?”

Cookie has had an amazing transition to living in a home environment. He settled in right away, got the hang of the litterbox, and gets along fabulously with the other kitties. He’s got a winning personality and the cutest little squeak of a meow. He loves snuggles and gives the greatest head bonks. He enjoys being talked to and held, and while you are in midsentence, he is likely to smooch your nose. The Jellicles promised Cookie the night we brought him in: “You will never again be lonely. You will never sleep in the cold or in the rain from here on out. You will never be scared by cars or dogs or coyotes. You will never go hungry because your caretaker missed work that day. From now on, you will be loved and cared for and pampered. You will be fed, and you will be safe, and you will be secure. You will stay with us until we find you the perfect home. There is a family out there for you!” Could that home possibly be yours?  Contact [email protected] if you would like to schedule a meet-and-greet!

Titan

So here is this guy—a handsome, low-key 4-year-old brown tabby who the shelter staff say is the “fluffy king of the kennel.” He was found as a stray and was not claimed after the requisite period. Titan’s an example of what every open-admission shelter has to deal with: found pets, surrendered pets, cruelty cases, scores of kittens weaned and not—and homes have to be found for all of them to avoid a sad outcome. His majesty needs a forever castle and throne, preferably a soft, cushy sofa. So do all the others. If you’re interested, visit the shelter side of ACS, 7700 E. Spring St. in Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter guests). Ask for ID#A610796, and check out the others as well.

Things to Do, Pets to Support

Free Family Fun at spcaLA

Friday, Aug. 3, 11:00 a.m.–2 p.m., Wednesday–Friday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m., spcaLA, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach (at entrance to El Dorado Park; no parking fee for shelter guests)

Free—RSVP

There’s still time to RSVP for this family event!  Families in the Long Beach area will enjoy crafts for kids, face painting, free snacks and beverages, behind-the-scenes tours, and swag bags for the first 75 attendees. There will be toys and games from Educational Insights—including an exclusive first look at the brand’s new pet-themed toy, Playfoam Pals Series 2, Pet Party (for ages 5–10). Families will learn how spcaLA helps animals in need and make cat toys for the on-site Cat Sanctuary on site. Participants are encouraged to bring one of the items below as a donation to benefit shelter animals.

• Canned kitten food
• Canned puppy food
• Dry dog food
• Dry cat food
• Soft dog treats
• New/gently used (clean) blankets or towels (No pillows or comforters, please!)

Please—no pets from home are allowed! RSVP here.

National Adoption Weekend

Saturday, Aug. 4, noon–4 p.m., Petco, Marina Shores, 6500 Pacific Coast Highway (at 2nd Street), Long Beach

Adoption fees apply

Featuring the cats from Helen Sanders CAtPAWS and their outstanding rescuers and fosters.

Scoop Up a Cat at P. D. Pitchford

Through Sunday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Wednesday–Friday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach (at entrance to El Dorado Park; no parking fee for shelter guests).

Pick your price!

ACS and spcaLA have cats of all shapes, sizes and temperament (primarily sweet). Come down to find your new foot and heart warmer, and pick your own adoption price! Adopters must still meet all qualifications.

Taps and Tails Art and Auction Fund-Raiser for ACS

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 4 p.m.–8 p.m., Berlin Bistro, 420 E. 4th St., Long Beach

Free event; auction-item prices vary. All proceeds will be donated to Long Beach Animal Care Services

Beer on the house—the doghouse, that is, and what dwellings they are! Architecture for Dogs and PetCube, a company that manufactures interactive cameras that allow pet owners to remotely play with their furry roommates, are pairing with local artists from Pow! Wow! Long Beach, the street- and public-art festival that has seen diversely and culturally themed murals painted by artists from everywhere enhance the city’s buildings. Five Pow! Wow! artists have painted five of the architectural pieces and cameras for the auction. The event is open to the community, including your dogs, and will include an art exhibit, the silent auction, and an outdoor interactive play area for waggy tails! Register here on Eventbrite for tickets—registration is strongly encouraged!

Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic—CATS THIS MONTH, sponsored by Justin Rudd and his Community Action Team!

Saturday, Aug. 11, 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Ramona Park, 3301 E. 65th St. at Obispo Avenue, Long Beach.

Have your cat spayed or neutered free with appointment and qualifications; vet appointment with voucher, minimal charge for dogs and cats; flea meds $10; shots and dewormer $10 each; nail trimming, $10

It’s now the law to fix your pets in Long Beach and many Southern California cities. It’s also kitten season, still burgeoning and blooming, and crowding shelters with cats and kittens that will likely be subject to euthanasia if a rescue doesn’t pull them or people come to adopt them.

To provide this costly service to our Long Beach residents who otherwise couldn’t afford it, Fix Long Beach offers this service free of charge. The spay/neuter truck will be at Ramona Park on this date to fix cats.

Make an appointment through IM or email at [email protected] for your dog, and include (1) your name, (2) address, (3) phone number, (4) pet’s name, (5) age, (6) sex, (7) breed, and (8) weight, and Fix will see if they can schedule you. You can also come as a standby, but be there at 8:30 a.m. Make sure that your pet has had nothing to eat or drink past 10 p.m. the previous night.

To donate, visit our page. In-kind donations such as leashes, collars and toys can be brought to our event or ordered through our Amazon wish list. 

For both spay/neuter and vaccinations, all dogs must be on sturdy leashes and all cats must be in dedicated carriers. Fix thanks you in advance for being responsible for your pet’s health and for helping to reduce shelter overpopulation and euthanasia.

K9 Kismet Dog Rescue Fund-Raiser

Saturday, Aug. 11, 1 p.m.–5 p.m., Minx Boutique, 7230 Fenwick Lane, Westminster.

Item prices vary

Do a little shopping, pet a couple of dogs, raise some funds—this boutique event is a triple threat! Join us @_shopminx_ for an afternoon of shopping fund-raising fun. K9 Kismet will have some adoptables on-site ready for some belly rubs.

Thai Silk Lunch Fund-Raiser for Fix Long Beach

Saturday, Aug. 18, noon–3 p.m., Thai Silk Restaurant, 1506 E. Broadway, Long Beach.

Menu prices vary

The generous owner of Thai Silk is donating 15 percent of their lunch money to help fix cats and dogs and make sure that fewer unwanted animals are on the streets and in shelters. Tell everyone that you’re Thai’d up for lunch Aug. 18 but they can sure come along with you!

Saving Kittens’ Lives workshop and fundraiser, with Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw

Saturday, Sept. 15, 2 p.m.–4 p.m., El Dorado Park West Community Center, 2800 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach.

Tickets: $39.95; a portion of ticket sales will benefit The Little Lion Foundation https://www.facebook.com/thelittlelionfoundation

If you’re expecting an eccentric cat person raving about kitties, yes. But you have no idea where her whimsies will take you or how much you’ll learn about cat care! Hannah Shaw can captivate an audience the way that little birdie does to the cat on the other side of the window—she’ll teach you how to care for underage, orphaned kittens so that more lives will be saved. Best of all, your ticket purchase will help The Little Lion Foundation do just that as well! Purchase tickets here.

Ongoing

Pet Adoption Locations

Photo courtesy of West Coast Animal Rescue 

The following pet-related businesses regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. If you’re a Long Beach-area rescue and don’t see your adoption event listed here, please email [email protected].

 Petco Animal Supplies, Marina Shores

6500 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach

Helen Sanders CatPAWS permanent adoption center, store hours

Rabbit Rescue Inc., adoptable rabbits daily, store hours

Live Love Animal Rescue, first Sunday of the month, 1—3 p.m.

 

Unleashed by Petco

600 Redondo Avenue

Foreverhome Pet Rescue, Inc., Sundays, noon–4 p.m.

 

PetSmart, Long Beach Exchange

3871 N Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach

The Cat Cove, Saturdays, noon–4 p.m.

Jellicle Cats Foundation,  Saturdays, noon—4 p.m.

 

PetSmart Signal Hill

2550 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill

Kitty Katchers, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Stray Cat Alliance, permanent adoption center, store hours.

 

PetSmart Compton

1775 South Alameda St., Compton

Zazzy Cats Kitty Rescue, permanent adoption center, store hours.

Rabbit Rescue Inc.,  one adoptable rabbit daily, store hours.

 

PetSmart Seal Beach

12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach

Helen Sanders CatPAWS permanent adoption center, store hours

West Coast Animal Rescue, Saturdays, noon–4 p.m.

Dogs in Need, Saturdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

 

Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach

Pet Food Express Cat Adoption Center, permanent adoption center, business hours

alternate weekends, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Fix Long Beach, occasional weekends

Live Love Animal Rescue, first Saturday of each month, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Ozzie and Friends Rescue, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., alternate Sundays

The Little Lion Foundation,  alternate weekends, 11 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

 

Bank of America, 5101 East Second St., Long Beach

Long Beach Spay & Neuter Foundation, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Register for Best Friends’ ‘Strut Your Mutt’ Walk Event

Imagine this: You’re surrounded by animal lovers just like you. Everywhere you look, there are dogs of all shapes and sizes, all happy with tails wagging. Excitement is in the air.

You don’t have to imagine it. That’s what Best Friends’ Strut Your Mutt is all about! This year’s LA Strut takes place October 20 (time to be announced) at Exposition Park. This fur-filled festival not only rallies friends, family and neighbors to help save the lives of homeless pets in your community but it also supports the lifesaving work of Best Friends Animal Society. You can find everything you need to know right here.

BARK Therapy Dogs Reading with Kids

See website for information

Founded in 2007, BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids) is a nonprofit all-volunteer program that encourages children to increase their reading skills and self-confidence by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. Students sometimes find it intimidating to read in front of classmates but love to read to the non-judgmental, calming dogs. BARK now has 170 teams listening to kids in more than 100 schools and libraries in California—Long Beach libraries visited monthly are Bach, El Dorado, Bayshore, Brewitt and Los Altos; outlying-area libraries include Hawaiian Gardens, Iacoboni and Los Alamitos. BARK teams also visit nursing homes, senior living facilities and veteran centers. They even de-stress college students during finals week! For all events, check out BARK’s calendar. To find information about volunteering your furry buddy or to arrange a visit to your school, library or other community, contact the group at [email protected] or (562) 235-8835.

SNP/LA Mobile Low-Cost Pet Vaccines

Locations and dates vary; visit link in text

For low-cost vaccines, visit this link  Note that pet owners must be 18 years or older, all pets must be on leashes or in carriers, and only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. Please bring prior vaccination information with you to the clinic. Vaccination and microchip services are provided for pets residing in any city. Licensing is provided for residents within our jurisdiction at Saturday clinics; please bring your renewal notice and rabies certificate with you. Low/cost spay/neuter information is also available through SNP/LA.

Free Pet Food Distributions

Papa, a big “teddy bear’ of a dog, sits with his human in Ashlee’s Pet Care station at Beacon for Him.

Beacon for Him has extended an outreach for people experiencing homelessness and their pets. Pet food, primarily dog food, is available at their facility at 439 West Anaheim St., Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3:00 p.m.. A dog-washing station with a stainless-steel tub is also available onsite at these hours. Donations and supplies such as shampoo, flea control and, of course, pet food are always gratefully accepted.

The Pet Food Bank is sponsored by Christian Outreach in Action . COA is located at 515 E 3rd St., Long Beach. Hours are Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m..

Shelter-Enrichment Supplies Needed for ACS Dogs and Cats!

Drop-off: Wednesdays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach

Individual donations requested

ACS is continuing our kennel enrichment activities for our canine guests here and could use so more donations (there are plenty for the cats!). Here is what’s needed:

• creamy peanut butter
• yogurt
• beef broth (canned or in the box)
• chicken broth (canned or in the box)
• incense
• carabiner clips (heavy duty)
• ice cube trays
• pipe cleaners
• toilet paper/paper towel rolls
• cat toys
• corks from bottles (for cat toys)
• catnip
• canned cat and dog food

Donations are tax deductible. Our pups and kitties say thanks so much!