Please send any Long Beach or Seal Beach pet-related events or projects to [email protected]. Posting subject to approval.

Virtually Pets

All photos courtesy of Long Beach Animal Care Services

After the Open House at Long Beach Animal Care Services, I met Tigger (see below) and wound up pulling him for a rescue. Tigger’s 13 years old, friendly after he’s satisfied his curiosity about his surroundings, and would make a great pet for someone who’s completely over the kitten-energy thing. He needs some dental work, so he’ll be ready in a little while.

Tigger—ain’t he somethin?

Senior pets can get the short end of the stick. They’re surrendered when their owners have to move and can’t keep them after so many years of love, which can bewilder them to no end. Or they’re heartlessly dumped for a newer model—a “trophy pet.” This seems to be true especially for dogs. When a dog is “bred out” by a backyard breeder and is considered useless, he or she (usually she) can be found wandering the streets.

Senior pets don’t have Medicare and rescues for them are few enough. Here are a few of the doggies from our shelter. If you’re interested in giving them a few really good years, meet them on the shelter side of the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach at the El Dorado Park entrance (there’s no charge for shelter parking) and mention him or her (or them!) by name and number.

Tagalong is a 15-year-old sweetheart of a Lhasa apso who was an owner surrender. He’s quiet and content and would love to find a lap to snuggle in for his golden years. Ask for #A564720.

Ben (#A564068) and Jerry (#A564067) are 10-year-old border terrier mixes. I have no idea who’s who, but because they came in to the shelter together and should leave together, it really doesn’t matter. They’re small dogs and have some great years left in them!

Mark Your Calendars (the People Way)

Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) Explorer Academy Recruitment Meeting, Friday, January 29, 7700 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 5:00PM

Tonight’s the night if you’re looking for a career in animal welfare and want to be trained by staff at the best shelter anywhere. If you’re 15 to 19 years old and won’t be 20 until the start of this project, and are interested in a career in animal welfare, ACS invites you to become an Animal Care Services Explorer. The purpose of the Academy is:

To provide interested young people exposure to careers in public safety and the humane treatment of animals, with opportunities to grow personally and professionally through a program of community service.
To provide young people with the necessary knowledge and skills of animal care and control services as they pertain to serving the public as animal care professionals.
To provide a climate emphasizing leadership and responsibility.

Visit this page for details and more information. Parents are encouraged to attend. No RSVP necessary—looking forward to meeting you!

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, 8:00AM

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–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

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.