Virtually Pets
Need a pet to dress up for the Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade? I wouldn’t recommend cats for that, but I’ve included them anyway—cats deserve a happy home to curl up in and also flee every time the doorbell rings for the safety of the linen closet. Here are two of them ready to go home from our shelter, City of Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS), 7700 E. Spring Street, Long Beach, at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors).
Smudges (ID#A598196) lives up to his name, as you can see. His owners surrendered him because their baby was allergic to him. He’s a sweetheart—with his adorable little nose and his tendency to paw at the kennel to get visitors’ attention, he’ll get back into housecat mode in no time.
If you’re a fool for brown tabbies the way I am, you’ll love Bambi (ID# A596803). Bambi’s 4 years old and has been spayed. She’s ready to go and fawn over you (yuk yuk).
ACS is at “cat-pacity,” according to the staff. Smudges and Bambi just represent the number of cats who are abandoned, relinquished, born to the streets, and generally unwanted. Here are more:
Now, the dogs will be delighted to go in costume to the parade and whatever else you want to bring them to. They live to please. Here are two representatives:
KC (A#596641) was described by the adoption coordinator as a “nice guy.” He walks great on leash and knows several commands. When given a richly deserved treat, he takes it gently into his mouth. KC is 3 years old and has a medical issue involving a growth on his cheek, but the staff is working to resolve it. Meanwhile, he’ll make a wonderful addition to your family! See KC in action!
She may be Rusty, but she’s not by any means out of commission! Rusty (ID#A598302) is a 10-year-old female shih tzu mix who was found as a stray. She has a few medical issues—gum troubles, a low-grade heart murmur, and a knee condition that gives her a bow-legged stance. However, if you want to see this polite little girl through her troubles, she’ll reward you with cuddles and a lovely warm-up of your lap! See little Rusty in action here.
Senior alert: If you adopt Rusty or any other senior dog or cat (over 7 years old), Thai Silk Restaurant will drop $25 into your trick-or-treat bag toward a meal at their great restaurant! Tasty stuff!
Places to Go, Pets to Support
Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade, plus Adoption Fair and Vendors
Sunday, October 29, 12:30PM–4:30PM, Marina Vista Park, 5355 Eliot Street, Long Beach
Free to spectators, VIP chair rentals $10 in advance or $5 at the parade site, if still available. See flier for dog-registration info, or register here.
Holy doggies in drag! Over 400 canines and their companions will be filing down the red carpet at Marine Stadium, all dressed in costumes that defy range. The parade will take place on the concrete bike path that runs through the park from Colorado to Eliot streets. The vendor fair and pet adoption fair will be in the park from 12:30PM to 4:30PM, Costumed kids and adults without dogs—humans can register for free!—will lead the parade at 2:25PM., followed by the dogs at 2:30PM. Pre-register your dog here, or register to be in the human costume parade and/or dog costume parade at the orange registration tent in the park after 12:30 p.m. Bring your own folding chair, or rent one of our 650 front-row seats. Please bring correct change!
Rummage Sale Benefitting Pedro Pet Pals
Sunday, October 29, 7:00AM–2:30PM, 1024 South Pacific Avenue, San Pedro
Prices vary per item
Rummage around and find your treasure. All proceeds benefit the real treasures at the San Pedro shelter via the good works of Pedro Pet Pals.
Fix Long Beach ‘Fix Your Horny Dog’ 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; purchase here
Get your tickets now!
Come get your limbo on and Raise a glass at our Tiki Tent to help us raise funds. Our mobile spay/neuter clinics help reduce animal overpopulation in our shelters and our streets. We need the chant of the Tiki to support our efforts!
Admission includes Dinner, dessert bar and drinks. Tickets may be purchased at and are $40 (children under 12yrs: $15).
Bid on an island of stuff in the silent auction, awesome door prizes and opportunity tables.
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
Fix Long Beach can help fix those randy pets and make sure than none are born. Come get your limbo on at this adventurous fund-raiser! Raise a glass and raise funds at the same time at our Tiki Tent! Bid on an ocean of stuff in the silent auction, win awesome door prizes, and try your luck at the opportunity tables. Get your tickets now!
Admission includes dinner, dessert, drinks and entertainment, including a limbo contest! Tickets may be purchased for $40 (children under 12yrs: $15) here. Our mobile spay/neuter clinics help reduce animal overpopulation in our shelters and our streets. We need the chant of the Tiki to support our efforts!
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 on South Street between DeForest and Elm avenues, Long Beach
Free event
Please join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) to honor our veterans and forgotten heroes, the War Dogs. FOLBA will be walking in the Veterans Day Parade again this year to honor our veterans and the dogs who assisted them in protecting our country. Canines have been used in warfare and combat since ancient times and, though their roles have changed, many people do not realize the extent of their sacrifice. We look forward to seeing you there. Arrive promptly—even early—and look for the red, white and blue balloons on the blue truck. Dogs are welcome but a word of warning: the parade is noisy.
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.
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.
Feline Good Social Club Indiegogo Fundraiser
Click here to donate
Help us get a cat cafe in Long Beach! This troop of dedicated rescuers are requesting funds to open a place where cat lovers can commune with felines strolling the premises, sip a beverage, munch a pastry, maybe read the book or newspaper, and pretend that they’re in a cottage in Maine waiting for Jessica Fletcher to ring the bell. This will be a great addition and will also help to get the kitties adopted–who can resist a bond forged over coffee?
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
Donations are tax deductible. Our pups 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.