Virtually Pets
It’s raining cats and cats during kitten season, and Pet Projects wants to help the ones who’ve been around awhile get some deserved notice. Nonprofit rescue Helen Sanders CatPAWS works their collective tail off helping cats to such a degree that they probably could be called Manx. The organization has two fundraisers in the future (see Mark Your Calendars) to help with the vaccines, spay/neuter, medical bills and all the good things they do to help the cats and kittens they bottle-feed or pull from the shelter thrive and find good, forever homes. And that’s the last step—want to be the happy ending?
Here are a few of the sweet cats that need homes. You can visit some of them in person at Petco, 6500 Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, from 1:30PM to 3:30PM, and at PetSmart, 12341 Seal Beach Boulevard in Seal Beach from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. If you’re interested in any of them, or if you see one on their website who looks like he or she is made for you, fill out the application available on this link and follow the instructions.
This is Duncan—literally a cat and a half. A while ago, Duncan was the equivalent of two cats. He weighed 32 pounds when pulled from the shelter. His fosters got him down to a little over 20 pounds, and he’s ready to go to a new home. He’ll need a specialized diet for the rest of his life, which should be a long one if he’s given good care—he’s only 5 years old. He’s also a sweetheart and, believe it or not, playful! He’s somewhat of a celebrity as well—check out his antics and inner cat on his Facebook page, Duncan No Donuts!
Taken to a shelter after her owner died, sweet Puff was scared and withdrawn. She had no idea what had happened, where she was or what she was doing there. She probably wasn’t going to make it out alive, but then CatPAWS pulled her out. Now, all this lady wants is to hang out with a special person and watch some TV.
Here’s Squeak! This petite tortie-marked beauty is just a tad shy but so wants to be included in play, and petted and loved.
Mark Your Calendars (the People Way)
‘Dancing with Dogs’ Benefit Recital and ‘Dogs Can Dance Classes’
Saturday, March 25, 4:00PM–5:30PM for recital, 10:30AM–4:30PM for classes; spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach
See flier for prices
Oh, Miss Poofenwoof, you’re so light on your feet! See pups strut their stuff to the music with their human companions. And if your two legs can’t keep up with their four (or three, in some cases), learn the moves yourself at the classes! All funds go to spcaLA and its pets!
Mexican Meal Fund-Raiser for Helen Sanders CatPAWS
Monday, March 27, 11:00AM–9PM, Avila’s El Ranchito, 209 Main Street, Seal Beach
Prices according to menu
For over 40 years, Avila’s El Ranchito has cooked some of the best traditional Mexican food you can eat! It’s a Seal Beach institution, and the owners support their town! They’re also supporting an equally wonderful cat rescue, Helen Sanders CatPAWS with a generous donation of 20 percent of your tab on March 27. Come enjoy a fiesta for the felines!
Pet Adoption Event at PFE
Saturday, April 1, 11:00AM–3:00PM, Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
Adoption fees apply
Find your new BFF 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, featuring fine felines from Long Beach Animal Care Services and Stray Cat Alliance.
Build Loveland Farm Sanctuary Spring Fundraiser
Sunday, April 2, 3:00PM–6:00PM, Newland Barn, 19822 Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach
Tickets $25–$50
This spring, you have the chance to change the fate of neglected and abused farm animals everywhere desperate for a new beginning. In the past year and a half, the groundwork has been laid to expand the effort out into the community. Come to help collectively create a better world for these animals waiting to be rescued. Enjoy a vegan dinner (included in price), a kids station, a photo booth, music, a silent auction and additional opportunities to support farm animal rescue efforts. Guest speaker Alexandra Caswell, Animal Advocate & Former Sanctuary Manager at Farm Sanctuary, will present. Tickets and more information are available here.
spcaLA Fund-Raiser—Dine & Donate at Chipotle
Wednesday, April 5, 10:30AM–10:00PM, Various Chipotle LA County Locations (available here)
Prices vary according to menu
Mention “spcaLA Fundraiser” and 50 percent—half!—of your bill will be donated to help homeless shelter pets. A delicious way to raise funds!
Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic
Saturday, April 8, 7:30AM–4:00PM, Houghton Park, 6500 Atlantic Avenue (near Jordan High), Long Beach
Free to qualifying residents; free microchips; low-cost shots ($10 each); $10 flea med doses
The grassroots free spay/neuter organization Fix Long Beach invites you to make an appointment for your unfixed dog, or get vouchers for free procedures for your dog or cat! These clinics are generously sponsored through Hope for Paws and Eldad Hagar.
Visit this link for qualifications and an application for your appointment. There is also a donation button to help Fix Long Beach continue their efforts. Click the organization’s Amazon Wish List link to donate items, or bring them to the event if you find a better deal!
Let’s continue to help make Long Beach no kill, one pet at a time!
CatPAWS Bowling Fundraiser
Saturday, April 29, 3PM–5PM, Westminster Lanes, 6471 Westminster Blvd., Westminster
$40 per person
LET’S GO BO-O-O-OWLING—and help some kitties. The ticket includes a combo food basket and soft drink; two hours of bowling, including shoes; and an opportunity drawing. Prizes for lowest and highest score for a guy and a gal! All proceeds help continue Helen Sanders CatPAWS rescues from shelters, providing medical needs and foster care.
Ongoing
spcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp™ Registration!
Begins April 17, 10:00AM on this link
$350 for each camper
spcaLA Friends for Life Summer Camp is for kids 8 to 13. 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! There are eight Monday through Friday sessions, running June thru August.
Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) Information for Low-Cost Vaccinations and Spay/Neuter Clinics
7700 East Spring Street at entrance to El Dorado Park (no fee for shelter visitors), Long Beach
Prices vary
Vouchers that take a big bite, so to speak, out of the cost of spay/neuter procedures are available at ACS during their public hours. Visit this link for information on clinics that accept the vouchers and for other spay/neuter assistance.
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.
Humane Education Presentation Signup
Throughout year, various school classrooms
Free
Humane educator and writer (How Willy Got His Wheels, How Willy Got His Wings and others) is available to teach students about responsible pet ownership and kindness to all living beings. Turner also presents to adult groups as a special event for school parents. If you are a principal, a teacher, a librarian or other school official in the Long Beach Unified School District, reserve a date. See graphic for information.
Free Pet Food Distributions
Food for Pets in Need provides pet food to senior, homeless, low-income and homebound residents in Long Beach who otherwise may not be able to afford adequate food to take proper care of their pets.
The Pet Food Bank is sponsored by Christian Outreach in Action. See flyer for details.