Please send any Long Beach or Seal Beach pet-related events or projects to [email protected]. Posting subject to approval.
Virtually Pets
Sherri Stankewitz is the founder of West Coast Animal Rescue (WeCARe) in Long Beach. Sherri is the goddess of lost causes when it comes to dogs. She picks up animals that are neglected, maimed, abused and abandoned and rehabilitates them. She also pulls dogs from Long Beach Animal Care Services and puts them up for adoption along with the other critters she actively saves. What’s better, there seems to be no case that remains a case, and forever homes are found for them, no matter how hopeless the cases seem.
Recently, Sherri was a victim (actually, a beneficiary) of the Prank It Forward National Campaign in which Sherri was first freaked out and then overcome with emotion as every one of her dogs at an adoption event was taken to preselected forever homes (see the video here, and keep a box of tissues nearby). There will be more about Sherri and WeCARe in a future article, but know that even with a bunch of dogs going home, more still remain at WeCARe and shelters everywhere. And they keep coming in.
If you want a good dog to take home with you—one who may have been through the mill and has since likely experienced the first bunch of loving people in his or her life, adopt one of these guys or the others at WeCARe (click on the link above to be directed to the adoptable animals). WeCARe’s wonderful volunteers have adoption events at PetSmart, 12341 Seal Beach Boulevard in Seal Beach, most Saturdays from 1:00PM to 4:00PM, and you can find their other events on their website. You can also make an appointment to visit WeCARe by emailing Sherri at [email protected].Allow two to three days for response, as WeCARe is an all-volunteer organization.
All dogs have been vetted and spayed or neutered and are current on their vaccinations.
Gypsy, Jack Russell/Irish terrier mix
This sweet gal was found on the side of the 710 freeway ramp at the 91. Gypsy was ready to give birth and was extremely dehydrated and starving. A kind Samaritan scooped her up and called WeCARe to bring her to safety. She gave birth to eight beautiful puppies, who are all in homes, Gypsy is looking for her forever home—she weights about 25 pounds and loves attention.
Porkchop, papillon/Chihuahua mix
Porkchop and his sister were brought into the shelter as strays and were very shut down and scared. But WeCARe rescued them, and they have both made incredible progress in the couple of months that they’ve been there. Porkchop likes playing with other dogs, loves running up to you for tasty treats, and has really come out of his shell. He would love to find a loving forever home of his own very soon!
Bugaloo, Bichon frise/poodle
This amazing boy was left at a shelter in the High Desert, and no one was interested in adopting this sweet little guy. He’s had a little streak of bad luck this year, including surviving an attack by another dog and having to spend many days and nights at the vet’s office. In spite of it all, he is nine pounds of pure love. He likes other dogs, is extremely sweet, and wants nothing more than for someone to make his wish for a new home of his very own come true!
Mark Your Calendars (the People Way)
Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinics
Thursday, December 3 and 17, 4:00PM–6:00PM, Scherer Park, 4600 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach
Pricing information available here:
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.
Intergalactic Open House
Saturday, December 5, 11:00AM–2:00PM, P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring Street at the entrance to the El Dorado Park Nature Center, Long Beach
Free
spcaLA and Long Beach Animal Care Services invite you to visit the Village to meet dogs and cats that are out of this world! The event features-photo ops with costumed Star Wars characters from the 501st and Rebel Legion (Darth Vadar, Princess Leia, Jedis, and more!) a pop-up roller rink; a Kids Blast Zone featuring a bounce house, an obstacle course, a craft table and face painting; food trucks; and lots of family fun. May the barks be with you! The Wookie cats, too!
Fix Long Beach (FLB) Spay/Neuter Clinic
Dogs only, Saturday, December 12, 7:30AM–4:00PM Houghton Park, 6500 Atlantic Avenue (near Jordan High School), 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! Guidelines 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 9:00AM–4:00PM:
- 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!
Friends of Long Beach Animals Presents ‘A Christmas Carol’ Fund-Raiser
Sunday, December 13, 6:30PM, Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach
$25 per ticket
Here they come again—the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future! This time, though, it’s the pets who will say “God bless us, one and all!” This performance of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ beloved Yuletide ghost tale, will benefit Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA), Long Beach’s most venerable animal welfare nonprofit! Enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres along with the piano music of Ralph Brunson during the pre-show as well as a silent auction and a stockingful of drawings! The show begins at 7:30PM. See flyer for ticket locations or click the organization’s link for information.
Ongoing
Monthly Mutt Mingles
Pussy & Pooch Pethouse and PawBar, 4818 East Second Street, Long Beach, third Wednesday of every month
222 E. Broadway, third Thursday of every month, 6:00PM–8:00PM
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.