Virtually Pets
Pit bulls are becoming less and less misunderstood as a breed. Since I began writing this column, I’ve met so many of them on the street with their humans, at Fix Long Beach, at adoption events, and I’ve met only one that I’ve disliked—entirely because the human owner is a jackass. I’ve also seen so many of them rehabilitated and intensely loving and loved—again, because of human interaction in the best way possible.
This column will feature a few of these gentle, goofy pitties and mixes. Pit bulls, along with Chihuahuas, in general face euthanasia in shelters more than any other breed. It’s our hope that these doggies will get forever homes and that they’ll inspire people to adopt one of the many others waiting in shelters and rescues.
Live Love Pet Care and Animal Rescue has given star status to Alana. She has her own Facebook page—Saving Alana, a T-shirt and a canvas bag, and a loving foster. Alana was pulled from the shelter in the nick of time, just before her number was up. She’d won the heart of her rescuer, Emily Haden, who says that she’s the happiest dog on the planet. Alana should be an indoor dog but will love to run with her human. She’s also a hugger and a kisser and will get all Woofie with wuv whether you’re gone all day or have just run into the next room for a minute. Alana’s good with larger dogs; no small dogs or cats. To have a meet-and-greet with Alana, e-mail [email protected].
Sidney is a 4-year-old pit bull gal, or as we say, a baby hippo! She’s a low-riding cuddle buddy who loves all people, including kids! She was saved by Live Love Pet Care and Animal Rescue from Long Beach Animal Care Services at her 11th hour, and she has been waiting for her forever family to find her! Sidney gets along well with other pets and would make a fantastic addition to your pack. She’s leash trained and fully vetted. Contact us at [email protected] for more information!
And, as noted, our shelter has pit bulls, and they, too, are deserving of good homes. Meet these two or any of them on the shelter side of the Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach. Go through the guard box at the entrance to El Dorado Park—no fee for shelter guests. for the 1 Too Many Sign near the Admissions entrance.
Elijah, age 3, has been at the shelter since March—the longest time that any canine resident has resided there. We don’t know why—he’s a good fellow and will be a fine companion. Ask for ID#A566975.
Her name is Collars, doubtlessly to remind the next human companion to buy her one and also because of her neck structure! She’s a 1-year-old “shorty” and is fun loving and a lot of fun. Ask for ID#A570390.
Mark Your Calendars (the People Way)
Friends of Long Beach Animals’ (FOLBA) Student Essay/Poetry Contest
Deadline extended to June 10; email entries to [email protected]
Free to enter
If you know a young person who has a passion for animal welfare, this competition is a great way to start him or her on the path to communicating the importance of it to others. This year’s theme, “Be Kind to Animals,” is open to students in two categories—elementary and middle school. Cash-prize values have been updated to $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place will be offered for each category. Each entry may be no more than 250 words and one page in length; only one entry per student will be accepted. Be sure to include the following: first and last names, home address, phone number, grade level and school name (indicate if homeschooled).
All winners will receive award certificates, and all participants will receive certificates of participation. Winners will be contacted by June 10 and will be invited to read their essay or poem at the FOLBA membership meeting on Thursday, June 16. Winning essays and poems will be published on the FOLBA website.
10th Annual Seal Beach Animal Care Center Wine Event
Saturday, June 11, 7:00PM–10:00PM, North Seal Beach Center, 3333 St. Cloud Drive, Seal Beach
$40 per person donation
Raise a cup of kindness for our delightful pets! There will be good food and auctions as well. Registration information is available here; all proceeds go to the all-volunteer Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
spcaLA’s Pet Adoption Day
Saturday, June 11, 10AM–4:00PM, Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center, 7700 Spring Street, Long Beach
Free event; adoption fees apply
This is our biggest pet adoption event of the year! Enjoy a day of sunshine and pet adoptions, meet-and-greets with 95.5 KLOS’s Frank and Lisa May and KABC Drive Home’s Jillian Barberi and John Phillips, vendor booths, adoption specials, giveaways, food trucks and family fun. And very likely a meeting with your new best friend!
Friends of Long Beach Animals Meet and Greet
Thursday, June 16, 6:00PM–8:00PM, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach
Free event
Long Beach’s most venerable animal advocacy organization invites all animal lovers to mingle with one another at a social at the Long Beach Playhouse. A wine/beer and taco bar will be available for your pleasure, and local vendors will provide free dog samples for the pleasure of your pets at home. Cast members from the upcoming musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying will give a sample performance. Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) Board members will present their accomplishments to this year, including the installation of a soon-to-be-opened veterinary clinic on the shelter grounds, and will award prizes to students who won the Kindness Essay contest. Best of all, attendees can meet the reason for FOLBA’s activity—the shelter pets themselves! Parking is free and located next to the theater. Visit the FOLBA website for details.
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.
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
Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics, scheduled days, Monthly. Locations vary.
Click link for fees
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 here 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.
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.