Virtually Pets
Here’s an unblushing plug for an organization that I’ve been active with for about four years. Fix Long Beach is a grassroots organization that has been instrumental in lowering both shelter overpopulation and euthanasia numbers through free spay/neuter procedures offered to Long Beach residents who couldn’t otherwise afford them. Low-cost shots and free microchips are also available and, most importantly, education (whether requested or not) about the benefits of altering pets are offered. The latter is passed on to other people—effectively so, if the online and meat-world “We heard about you from” are any indication.
All this costs money. The best way to raise money is with a fund-raiser. The best way to fund-raise is to include food, drink, entertainment and prizes. And if it’s in the afternoon, it’s nice to include kids, who don’t need to be leashed for this one. They can limbo instead.
Read about the event in Things to Do, Pets to Support, and buy your tix online. Meanwhile, here are some of the animals who did wind up in the shelter, thanks to a range of human-created situations. Another good way to bring down the population is by adopting one or more of them. As a proud cohabitant of three cats who came from the shelter (or the street, in one case), I recommend it. Yes, they have their issues, but doesn’t everyone?
All these pets are waiting at Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS), P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park. No parking fee for Village visitors.
This is Lilac (ID#A594203). Lilac has special needs—she may be deaf, and I couldn’t express how special the rest of her is any better than the shelter has in the above graphic. Lilac is just like any ordinary 3-year-old doggie. She loves to play, romp around in the grass, fetch her ball, and spread smiles to all she meets! Lilac is possibly deaf, so she will need someone who is willing to go the extra mile and love and care for her—she’s worth it! Don’t wait one more second, come see Lilac and let her show you how awesome she is! Here’s a preview.
Mardy (ID#A598551), a little 2-year-old Chi/pug mix, is all personality, and it comes through even if he’s standing still and posing! He’s neutered, ready to go and absolutely adorable!
It’s rare to see a more catlike cat than Avatar (ID# A595238)! Look at that photo—she’s the quintessential storybook kitty–a real avatar! Avatar is about 2 years old; she came into the shelter with one kitten. The kitten has since been adopted, but Avatar is waiting for her forever home. She’s been spayed and is ready to go; instead of experiencing the empty-nest syndrome, let her feather yours! Or fur it.
The toy that Avatar is examining has been made by shelter volunteers as part of ACS’s Shelter Enrichment Program. Follow the link or check the announcement in Ongoing for donation requests. It doesn’t take much to make a pet happy!
Things to Do, Pets to Support
Fix Long Beach Tiki Fund-Raiser
Saturday, November 4, 3:00PM–7:00PM, Alfredo’s Beach Kayak Club, 5411 East Ocean Boulevard (at 54th Place, aka Horny Corner), Long Beach
Tickets $40, $45 at the door ($15 for children under 12); purchase here.
Get your limbo on and raise a glass at our Tiki Tent to help Fix Long Beach raise funds for its free spay/neuter procedures for the pets of qualifying Long Beach residents! Fix’s mobile spay/neuter clinics help reduce animal overpopulation in our shelters and our streets. Admission includes dinner, a dessert bar, a candy bar, and drinks. Tickets may be purchased here; prices are $40 ($15 for children under 12) and $45 at the door. Bid on an island of stuff in the silent auction, awesome door prizes and opportunity tables, and show off your flexibility in the limbo contest! Lots of great entertainment and fun.
Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation Fund-Raiser
Saturday, November 4, 4PM–9:00PM, Veggie Grill, Long Beach—The Marketplace, 6451 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach
Menu prices apply
It’s time to eat your nice vegetables! They’re good, and good for you! They’re also good for the cats at the Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation. Eat dinner there and either present or mention the above flier, and 33 percent of the tab will go toward this great effort to get homeless cats adoptable—and yes—they’re spayed/neutered and vetted! That costs money, and this is a tasty way to raise it. Besides, Momcat will be proud of you for cleaning your plate!
Pet Adoption Event at PFE
Saturday, November 7, 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.
Bixby Dog Park Grand Opening
Saturday, November 4, 11:00AM, Bixby Park, 5411 East Ocean Boulevard at 54th Place, Long Beach
Tickets $40, $15 each for children under 12. Dinner included
The fencing is installed, the grass is green–now, all that’s needed are the dogs and you! Residents of the Broadway Corridor and the surroundings finally have a place for their dogs to run free! Join up for the festivities!
Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic
Saturday, November 11, 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!
Walk with Friends of Long Beach Animals at the Veterans Day Parade
Saturday, November 11, 10:00AM, Setup at the intersection of 56th Street and Dairy Avenue, Long Beach
Free event
You are invited to march with or without your dog to help us honor and appreciate the veterans and canines who have fought so bravely to give us our freedom. Well-behaved, licensed dogs are welcome to join us, but keep in mind that there are loud bands, cheerleaders and horses. Consider whether your dog might be disturbed by the noise. The parade starts promptly at 10:00AM. Find our group by going to the Parade Formation Area at the intersection of 56th Street and Dairy Avenue and looking for the bright blue truck with red, white and blue balloons. We have limited space to in the truck for those that want to join us and are unable to walk the parade route. If you have any questions please contact us here.
Friends of El Dorado Park’s Holiday Bone-anza
Sunday, November 19, 10:00AM–4:00PM, Good Neighbor Park, 2800 Studebaker Road, Long Beach
Free to attend
This year’s Bone-anza will be a fun-filled event featuring food trucks, vendors for your holiday shopping, contests, a DJ featuring Christmas sounds, elves, your doggie’s photo with Santa, and a silent auction and a raffle featuring great gifts from our sponsors. All proceeds from both the calendar (see Countin the Days in Humane Ways) and the event will go to support enhancements of the El Dorado Dog Park.
Pet CPR First Aid and Training
Saturday, January 20, 2018, 11:00AM–4:00PM, Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
$75 registration fee
Register early for this inclusive workshop that will prepare you for emergency situations involving pets. The workshop is appropriate for individuals interested in working in the veterinary field, for animal shelters and rescues, as police officers, or simply as Good Samaritans and prepared pet owners. All materials will be provided. Early registration is recommended, as seating is limited. For more information, see flier above.
Ongoing
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!
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
- corks
Donations are tax deductible. Our pups and kitties say thanks so much!
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.