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Virtually Pets
Pet Projects has given cats a higher profile than dogs these past couple of months because of kitten season, and also because June has been officially declared Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month by the ASPCA.
“In the U.S., kitten season is in full swing,” said Celeste Clements, DVM, DACVIM, and Medical Content Specialist at IDEXX Laboratories. “Kitten litters are overpopulating animal shelters and joining millions of already homeless shelter cats.” Clements said that the designation was awarded in order to raise awareness and encourage adoptions during the height of kitten season. She also stressed the importance of the new family’s commitment to taking their new friend to the vet’s office for a comprehensive examination of the cat’s overall health.
Early detection of health issues is important to help prevent disease and take care of any issues that may not manifest early symptoms, such as kidney disease and heartworm. Be sure that your new cat has been checked for FIV and FeLV—feline leukemia—shelters and responsible rescues do this routinely.
Then again, the chances are good that you may wind up with a perfectly healthy cat.
At the writing of this article, KPCC’s Take Two featured an episode about kitten season with a guest speaker from Best Friends. The link can’t be located, but according to the speaker, newborn kittens are more subject to euthanasia than any other type of shelter pet because of scarcity of space and resources.
Of course, every month should be Adopt-A-Shelter Cat month, and the designation should be extended to rescue and foster adoption as well. As stated, the number of rescues, fosters, bottle-feeders and other resources cannot keep up with the number of kittens being born, but an organization that’s about as new as the cats whose lives they save has just popped up. The Little Lion Foundation was founded in May, just in time to rescue motherless kittens, bottle-feed them, and raise them to be beautiful (and adorable) little guys. This is because, as their Facebook page states, “every cat deserves to ROAR.”
Little Lion takes in kittens as young as a day old. They also care for community cats, or ferals, and join other rescues in pulling shelter cats who may be euthanized.
Little Lion also is applying for nonprofit status and is in great need of donations for the approximately $250 it takes to vet each kitten. Donations are accepted through their GoFundMe account or in kind through their Amazon Wish List.
Cecil would be proud.
Here are a few of their little guys raised up from bottles, ready to go home.
Bailey, a 9-week-old brown tabby, was rescued from a car engine at Cerritos College by the campus mechanics (go Falcons!). Bailey’s a sweetheart, energetic and playful, with a great temperament.
Arabelle was rescued from a hoarding situation in which there were multiple adult cats and she was the only kitten, oddly enough. She’s a loving, playful 12-week-old. Her foster adds that the photo doesn’t do her justice because she isn’t all black—she has a silver stripe on her back and a ringed tail.
Marcel, a Siamese flame-point, and Juliette, an orange tabby, were rescued from Long Beach Animal Care Services because the kitten nursery was filling up fast. The two siblings—brother and sister, are 8 weeks old and all love.
Mark Your Calendars (the People Way)
Saturday and Sunday, June 25, 10AM–5PM; and June 26, 10:00AM–4:00PM, The Reef, 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles
Ticket prices available here
It’s not in Long Beach, but half the cat kooks in town will hit the Big Town to meet celebrities like Lil BUB and Julie Newmar (the original Catwoman), watch countless silly videos, check out the latest in costumes and other goodies for their cat, and in general indulge their inner and usually outer crazy cat person. There will be adoptions, including cats from the event’s official adoption partner, spcaLA. A dollar from each ticket will support FixNation, a charity organization that promotes TNR (trap/spay-neuter/return) and free spay/neuter procedures for homeless cats. Part of the Meet and Greet proceeds will help to fund Lil BUB’s Big Fund and other cat-centric charities. So go ahead—put on your cat ears and drive the freeways in full view of everyone. Your cat wouldn’t care—why should you?
Divas for Doggies (and Kitties, Too) Drag Show Fund-Raiser
Sunday, June 25, 3:00PM–6:00PM, Hamburger Mary’s Long Beach, 330 Pine Avenue, Long Beach
$5 donation
Glitter for the pets! Anderson Real Estate Group is putting on a drag-show fund-raiser at Hamburger Mary’s to benefit spcaLA hosted by the one and only Jewels. Proceeds from the donations and silent auction will benefit the spcaLA P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center in Long Beach.
Pet Food Express Dog Adoption Event
Saturday, July 2, 11:00AM–3:00PM, Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
Adoption fees apply
Find your new best friend and everything that he or she could ever want or need, in one place. Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) and other rescues will be bringing some wonderful 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 while you’re there!
spcaLA FUNdraiser
Wednesday and Thursday, July 6–7, noon–11:00PM, Zero Express, 1785 Palo Verde, Unit F, Long Beach
Menu prices
Wake up, smell the coffee, pick up an extra-large of everything, and mention spcaLA because 20 percent of your bill will go toward the pets at their facility at the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village. Enjoy handcrafted coffee, tea, boba drinks and all the other people treats!
spcaLA July Foster Class
Saturday, July 9, 10AM–noon, P. D Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center , 7700 East Spring Street at the entrance to El Dorado Park, Long Beach
Free event; no parking fees for Village visitors
We can’t do it withouth you! spcaLA needs foster parents for their hopeful little guys. Submit an application (available here) and come to our class. All supplies are free—you just provide the love and TLC!
Finn, Wienerschnitzel 2015 champion. Photo courtesy of Los Alamitos Racecourse
Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals
Saturday, July 16, 6:30PM, Los Alamitos Race Course, 4961 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos
$3 general admission; free admission to guests 17 and under
Who’ll cut the mustard this year? In one of the most delightful animal events presented, a full card of 11 races of long doggies will compete for the championship with their version of racing. Each race will take place between the regularly scheduled horse racing; the championship race will take place at approximately 9:15PM. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early at about 5:00PM to secure seating. No ice chests, outside food or pop-up tents are permitted.
Full details are available at the Race Course’s website.
Ongoing
Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS): Free Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinics, once monthly; Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics, scheduled days Monthly. Locations vary.
See flyer on web page for pricing of services
Beginning this Sunday, February 21, the Society for California Veterinary and Vaccine Care (SCVVC) will offer free spay/neuter procedures and wellness services to residents of the cities served by ACS: Long Beach, Signal Hill, Cerritos, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. During the remaining weeks of the month, Spay/Neuter Project Los Angeles (SNP/LA) will offer low-cost vaccines, nail trimmings and topical flea treatment for residents of the same areas. Click link for locations and times and click the links next to each event for vaccine pricing and other details.
Pet owners must be 18 years or older. All pets must be on leashes or in carriers. Only healthy and non-pregnant animals will be vaccinated. If you have a prior rabies vaccine certificate, license tag or license renewal notice for your pet, please bring it with you to the clinic. Vaccination and microchip services are provided for pets residing in any city. Licensing service is provided for residents within our jurisdiction:. Microchips, flea treatment and nail trimmings also available.
Image from BARK Facebook page.
BARK Therapy Dogs Library Appearances
Various area libraries (Long Beach events generally held on Saturdays)
Free event
Dogs love unconditionally. They don’t judge or criticize. And they love a good story. Bring your children to the library to read to these lovely therapy dogs, and watch their confidence in their reading ability grow.
BARK (Beach Animals Reading with Kids) is an all-volunteer group dedicated to increasing children’s reading skills as well as interacting with pets. Check the calendar page on the group’s website, and find out more about this terrific organization.
Reserve a Humane Education Presentation for Your Classroom, Scout Troop or Anywhere That Pets and Kids Come Together
spcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp
June through August, Monday through Friday; Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring Street, Long Beach
Details on website
Paws down, it’s the best camp around! spcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp™ is for kids 8 through 13 years old. At camp, kids learn the basics of pet care and responsibility, respect for all animals, and the beginnings of dog training, all while making new friends on a number of legs! There are several sessions still available, each running Monday through Friday. Registration details and session schedule are available here.