Virtually Pets

Easter’s over, the eggs have been found and eaten, and we’re hoping against hope that the “Easter bunnies” obtained for children are still at home, hopping happily around the home and heartily hoeing in the hay. But shelter workers know better—former Easter bunnies are treated like the New Kid in Town in the Eagles’ song—dumped in green areas or turned in to the shelter, and ultimately forgotten.

There are a couple waiting to be taken home from our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS), along with one really swell cat who asked if she could be thought of as a bunny with short ears and a long tale—rabbit in reverse, as it were. Regardless, each of these critters will hop into your heart when you visit them.

Dapper Dan (ID#A603845) is a neutered male of unknown age. He was found as a stray and doubtless had some help becoming one. He likes people, though—he’s very friendly and will come up and let you pet him.

This little fellow’s name is Pancakes (ID#A605575)—don’t you love that? He’s just a baby at 3 months old. The owner gave him up two days before Easter! He’s a friendly little guy that needs a loving, forever home!

Tiny Dancer (ID#A605520), a little spayed female tortoiseshell, was also found as a stray. She’s a year old and is social and friendly—she’ll come right up to you and let you pet her. She’s sweet and loving and would love to lie beside you, whether you have sheets of linen or some other material.

ACS is located in the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fees for Village visitors). Use the entrance in the photo below to reach ACS—the others go to spcaLA. They have pets, too!

Things to Do, Pets to Support

Kitten Shower!

Saturday, April 7, noon–5:00PM, Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC), 1700 Adolfo Lopez Drive, Seal Beach

Adoption fees apply; donations accepted with a big purr

If you read this column regularly or follow animal rescue posts and news, you’ll know all about kitten season, which brings with it showers of KITTENS, KITTENS, KITTENS! This year, SBACC will host a shower of a different kind. There will be a bake sale, raffles, and more! Can’t make the shower? You can donate to support this shelter’s Kitten Foster Care Program at this link. SBACC adopted out 220 kittens last year—please help support this life saving program so they can continue to save these precious lives!

 

K9 Kismet Dog Rescue Arty Fund-Raiser

Sunday, April 8, 2:00PM–5:00PM, Painting with a Twist, 15072 Golden West Street, Westminster

Tickets $35

That’s Bruce. As is patently obvious, Bruce is a talented painter. Bruce wants to know if you can paint better than he can. Even if you paint as if you have fewer opposable thumbs than Bruce, you can still join the peeps at K9 Kismet Dog Rescue for painting and partying! Meet one of the adoptable dogs, enjoy food and beverages, participate in the raffle and of course, make some wonderful art and memories. 21 and older. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased here! Come be a regular Claude Bone-et or Vincent Van Dogh.

Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic

Saturday, April 14, 7:30AM–3:00PM, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1140 Ximeno Avenue, Long Beach

Spay/neuter 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

Fix Long Beach gives a heartfelt thanks to District 3 Councilmember Suzie Price and District 4 Councilmember Daryl Supernaw for fully funding this month’s clinic. Putting on these events costs in the thousands, and it couldn’t happen without the generosity of our donors.

It’s now the law to fix your pets in Long Beach and many Southern California cities. 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 its new location at Scherer Park on this date.

Make an appointment through IM or email at [email protected] for your dog, and include (1) your name, (2) address, (3) phone number, (4) dog’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 8:30AM. Make sure that your pet has had nothing to eat or drink past 10:00PM 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.

Little Lion Cat Adoption Event

Saturday, April 21, noon–4:00PM, Just Food for Dogs, 2200 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach

Adoption fees apply

Just Food for Dogs is hoping to help this great cat-rescue/bottle-feeder organization to find just homes for cats, and just in time for kitten season to start showering babies on us. Hang out with The Little Lion Foundation and JustFoodForDogs, meet the adorable kittens looking for forever homes, and speak with our nutrition consults about how they can benefit from our JustFoodForCats (yup, they got it!) meal once they’re full grown.

BARK Therapy Dogs Pajamarama Event

Thursday, May 10, 6:00PM–8:00PM, Barnes & Noble, Marina Pacifica Mall, 6326 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach,

Free event

Kids—put on your favorite pair of pajamas and have a great read with BARK dogs who will also be in their pajamas—more than likely with Scooby Doo or Beethoven. What could be cozier, more adorable or likely leading to more reading?

Furry Friends Faire

Saturday, May 19, 10:00AM–1PM, Los Cerritos Park, 3750 Del Mar Avenue (across from Los Cerritos Elementary School), Long Beach

Free to attend

Don’t miss our all-things-animal event! We’ll have fun contests to enter your furry friends in, such as pet tricks, largest pet, smallest pet and most unusual pet. The poetry-award winners from Los Cerritos Elementary students will be reading their poems. We’ll have an array of service providers you can meet at the event for your pets: groomers, trainers, pet food, dog walkers and more! For more information and updates, visit us here!

Ongoing

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.

ACE Kitty Katchers

Kitty Catchers Adoption Event

Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00AM–3:30PM both days, PetSmart, 2550 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill

Despite the name, Kitty Catchers catches doggies, too, and some will be there along with the lovely fosters at this event! You’ll find your best friend there and anything else you’ll need to give him or her a good life from then on.

Pet Adoption Event at PFE

Saturdays and Sundays, Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach

Adoption fees apply

Find your new BFF and everything that he or she could possibly want or need, in one place. Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) and other rescues bring great cats and dogs ready to go home with their new people. Everything is high quality at Pet Food Express, and that includes the adoptive pets! Check out the Cat Adoption Center, featuring fine felines from Long Beach Animal Care Services and Stray Cat Alliance. For more information about which rescues will be present on any particular day, follow this link.

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 Street, Mondays from 9:00AM to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3:00PM. 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 9:00AM to 11:00AM.

 

Shelter-Enrichment Supplies Needed for ACS Dogs and Cats!

Drop-off: Wednesdays through Fridays, 10:00AM–5:30PM and Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00AM–4:00PM, 7700 East Spring Street, 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!