Please send any Long Beach or Seal Beach pet-related events or projects to [email protected]. Posting subject to approval.
Virtually Pets
Photo by Justin Rudd.
I don’t want to let another week go by without acknowledging the remarkable human being who won the Community Action Team’s Hero of the Year award on January 24. His name is Ken Bumpers, and he was nominated by Sherri Stankewitz, the founder of West Coast Animal Rescue and Sparky and the Gang, and herself a finalist in the 2013 event. Bumpers had been living in a tent with 14 dogs when Fix Long Beach founder Claudia Hoffmann discovered him and offered to get his dogs fixed for free. Stankewitz offered him the use of her rescue to house and adopt out the dogs, and Bumpers offered to clean the premises as thanks.
“I said, yeah, right,” Stankewitz remembered during her speech at the ceremony. “Most people never come back.”
Well, Bumpers has come every day for the past three years. He now runs the entire back kennel—sometimes with about 65 dogs—and considers his “days off” as going to the dog park to walk the dogs.
What makes Bumpers particularly remarkable is this: He was abandoned in an alley as a baby during the Korean War by his mother, who didn’t want him killed during the battle. His life has been a battle itself—you can read about it on this link—and it appears that he wants all abandoned, abused creatures to have what he didn’t.
“Kenny never lets a day go by without telling others to have hope and encourage them to spay and neuter their pets, and tell what happened to him,” Stankewitz said. “He wants every orphaned animal to have a home.”
If you have room in your heart and home to help Ken Bumpers achieve his wish, here are a few candidates available through West Coast Animal Rescue and Sparky and the Gang. If any of them tickle you, contact [email protected].
Photos courtesy of West Coast Animal Rescue/Sparky and the Gang
O.G. was dumped in an alley with his mom, Luna, when their owners moved. He is a sweet, gentle boy who walks great on a leash and is very easygoing. O.G. is looking for a forever home or for someone to foster him until the right family comes along. He would do best in a home without small dogs or cats.
Bear Bear’s big day started with being picked up from boarding (a big thanks to Signal Hill Pet Hospital) and continuing on to LaunderPet for a complimentary grooming (huge thank-you to Eric and staff!). Bear Bear was then off to his foster until he gets a forever home. Come and meet Bear Bear this coming Saturday at PetSmart Seal Beach. It takes a village to place our rescues in forever homes!
Hunter is an inquisitive, active dog who has no trouble getting around despite the fact that he’s missing the bottom half of one of his hind legs. We’re not sure exactly what happened to cause this old injury, but most likely the whole leg will need to be amputated. Dogs have the amazing ability to adjust to life on three legs in no time and can often be seen running around just weeks after the surgery. Hunter is currently in need of a foster home (or better yet, a permanent home!) where he will be able to recoup and get plenty of rest after the surgery. If you’re interested in helping nurse this big, goofy guy back to health by giving him a nice, warm bed to sleep in and lots of love, please email us!
Mark Your Calendars (the People Way)
Team spcaLA for the LA Big 5K Run/Walk and Charity Relay, Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles, 8AM
Run or walk to prevent animal cruelty with Team spcaLA! Whether you’re inspired to run to protect scruffy puppies, tiny kittens, great big pit bulls, fluffy bunnies or majestic peacocks, you’ll be allowing spcaLA to prevent cruelty to all animals! Click here for details and registration. Registration closes at 11:59PM on February 5.
Fix Long Beach (FLB) Spay/Neuter Clinic
Saturday, February 27, 7:30AM–4:00PM, Houghton Park, 6500 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach
Free to qualifying residents
The grassroots free spay/neuter organization Fix Long Beach invites you to make an appointment for your unfixed dog or cat, or get vouchers for free procedures for them! As you can see by the smiling face on this veritable Viking and the numbers from our last clinic, we’re making a big dent in shelter overpopulation and a huge positive impact on the health and welfare of dogs and cats.
Guidelines for FLB clinics are as follows:
- Low-income Long Beach residents only unless you have a pit bull! (We offer free spay/neuter for pitties in surrounding cities.) If you don’t qualify (annual salary $30,000 or lower), please Google “low cost spay/neuter” along with your zip code, and have your pet fixed at one of the suggested clinics.
- Book an appointment ASAP. Standbys are welcome. Vouchers will be given to any attendee whose pet cannot be served that day.
- If you have called or made a previous appointment, please check your voice mail for messages (be sure that it’s set up). You must call back to confirm your appointment or your spot will be given away.
- If you are 15 minutes late for your appointment, your spot will be given to someone waiting on standby. If you fail to show up for two consecutive appointments, you will be denied future service.
Fix Long Beach also offers the following services from 9AM to 4PM:
- low-cost vaccines for dogs and cats $10 per shot, cash only!
- low-cost flea meds for dog and cats $10 per dose/application, cash only!
- nail trim $5, cash only!
- free microchips for pets of Long Beach residents
- free supplies for anyone that gets their pets fixed!
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 323.413.7729.
When you come, bring proof of income and Long Beach residency (these events are for Long Beach residents only). Whether you come as standby or with an appointment, do not give your pet anything to eat or drink after 12:01AM. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers that are specifically pet carriers! No paper bags or suitcases, please! There are no walls in the park, and we want you to ensure your pet’s safety! If you don’t own a carrier, pet supply stores like Petco and PetSmart carry inexpensive cardboard ones; they run on the average of $8.
Fix Long Beach also has a wish list for pet items to give to our client as a thank-you for helping to lower our shelter euthanasia rate and prevent the birth of more unwanted kittens and puppies.
Click the 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!
Ongoing
Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinics
First and Third Sunday of each month, 4:00PM–6:00PM, Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
See flyer for pricing of each services
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: Long Beach, Signal Hill, Cerritos, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. Microchips, flea treatment and nail trimmings also available.
Monthly Mutt Mingles
Pussy & Pooch Pethouse and PawBar, 4818 E. 2nd Street, Long Beach, third Wednesday of every month
222 E. Broadway, third Thursday of every month, 6:00PM–8:00PM
Photo by Cressida Labs.
Join P&P for their monthly mixer, and enjoy special treats, toasts, and plenty of in-store tail-wagging. Mutt Mingles are a great way for your dog to learn valuable social skills. It’s a chance for them to experience and interact in a social setting with food, drink and plenty of other distractions! It’s important for your dog to learn how to behave around other dogs and people so that they’ll be the stars of the dog park and the dog beach. The indoor facility provides for a very comfortable setting and fun atmosphere. Dogs may be off-leash if supervised closely by their owners. For their protection, we lock the front door so dogs are safe from the street traffic.