The Long Beach Spay/Neuter Foundation (LBSNF) adopts cats rescued from the streets to good homes. All of the kittens have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and dewormed and have tested negative for FELV and FIV. A donation of $100 is required to adopt a kitten; all funds help defray the costs of their medical bills. To make an appointment to see any of these cats or the others under the care of LBSNF, contact [email protected] or (562) 544-0335.
These two will be sent special delivery only to a good forever home. Bud and Harley were found dumped on the Bluff. Fortunately, LBSNF found them probably within hours of their being dumped. They were clean and well cared for (someone must have been desperate!). They are incredible kittens, playful and not scared of anyone or anything. They need to find a home together because LBSNF won’t separate them.
Little Lady is a beautiful Maine coon cat rescued from a pet hospital that needed all the cats to be gone from there because of rebuilding. Her foster mom is one of the feeders at the hospital. Little Lady is about 3 years old and has been spayed and has tested negative for Felv and FIV. She has been vaccinated and wormed. Little Lady is sweet and loves to sit on laps and have her tummy rubbed. She is okay with other cats. A donation of $75 is requested to offset expenses incurred.
Sirikit is a seal point Siamese rescued from the Long Beach streets. The so-called owners fed her but left her outside at only 8 weeks old. Sirikit is very sweet, loves to play and is fine with other cats.
Legislating Responsibility
On July 27, the Long Beach Press-Telegram published the editorial “Misfiring at Puppy Mills.” The editorial agreed with the spirit of the laws AB 241 (The Responsible Breeder Act) and SB 250 (The Pet Responsibility Act) but was in firm disagreement with their passage.
Agreement and disagreement are the privileges of living in a relatively free society. We of course feel that both laws should be passed, not because we love the idea of extreme legislation but because too few citizens are taking responsibility with their pets—some feel entitled to illegally breed and sell animals, with the obvious results (see adoptions, above). Furthermore, we have our own laws here in Long Beach, but not every town in the state does.
Disagreement can lead to profitable discussion, but you have to have all the facts, and the editorial writer apparently did not. We sent off a response to the paper; as of this writing, it hasn’t been printed. Here it is in its entirety. We welcome discussion.
To the Press-Telegram’s Editorial Department,
Oh boy, how wrong can you get? Dead wrong, if you are a victim of a puppy mill or pet overpopulation! Your version of AB 241 and SB 250 is a mutilated “horror story” of misinformation.
Without a doubt, we commend all the supportive lawmakers of these two bills for their insightfulness and humane ethics regarding those that cannot speak for themselves—animals! We deeply appreciate our own city leaders of Long Beach for their unanimous support of these life-saving animal bills!
Now here’s the way we see it:
Fact: Both SB 250 and AB 241 are greatly needed tools for animal shelters throughout our state! These tools will enhance already-existing laws! As for your comment that AB 241 would mandate spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, that only applies to individuals and businesses that must reduce the number of animals to 50 (i.e., puppy mills), so they are in compliance with the bill.
Fact: Of course, service dogs should enjoy loving surroundings. All dogs should, and we are grateful when they are blessed to live a life with love and kindness, which is why we support both bills! Neither bill will harm service dogs or law-abiding breeders. And by the way, people who truly respect animals do not consider them a “hobby.” Building model airplanes is a hobby. True animal lovers consider their pets as family members.
Fact: As supporters of both bills, we are not trying to “denigrate” legitimate breeders! We do, however, want to see the horrific, filthy, heartless puppy mills reduce the numbers of their breeding machines.
Sadly, we cannot adopt our way out from the tragedy of pet overpopulation. We must spay/neuter our way out of this people-created problem and be responsible for our pets!
Two Decades of Firm Friendship
On July 30 at its annual meeting, the Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) celebrated 20 years of volunteerism and “remarkable service to the community,” as described by Tom Reeves of the office of the Long Beach City Prosecutor. Reeves presented the FOLBA board members past and present with the Impact Award, which the office gives to an individual or group that has made a positive difference in the community.
FOLBA is a true grassroots organization that has sustained itself through donations, which it uses to help animals in Long Beach be healthy and safe. FOLBA supports Animal Care Services’ (ACS) medical needs, facilitates adoption and donates equipment, pet necessities and comfort items. The organization also helps humans act humanely and responsibly through its humane education program led by author Deborah Turner, and through its Spay/Neuter Incentive Program (SNIP), which offers low-cost or free vouchers to people in need of them. This helps lower pet overpopulation and shelter euthanasia rate.
Tim Patton from Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal’s office presented the Board with a certificate in celebration of the anniversary. Lowenthal was in attendance as were Turner, former Long Beach Animal Control Manager Roger Hatakeyama, ACS CEO Michelle Quigley and Wheely Willy, FOLBA’s humane education mascot and the love of Turner’s life. Several of the guests related stories about FOLBA’s beginnings and history; Quigley told about the time that Nona Daly, vice president of the organization, called the office in a panic because the rottweiler that she’d rescued from the street and put into her car was growling and snapping and wouldn’t let her get in. The incident was happily resolved and hasn’t stopped Daly and the other members from rescuing animals in every way possible.
“Their lives are on the line,” said a smiling Shirley Vaughan, FOLBA’s president.
Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal, at right with FOLBA president Shirley Vaughan and ACS CEO Michelle Quigley, was on hand to celebrate FOLBA’s 20th.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead; inscribed on the 20th anniversary certificate presented by Assembly Member Lowenthal’s office
Events
Aug. 1, Hearts for Hounds Yard Sale
Please help this wonderful animal rescue group continue to rescue homeless animals. If you have any items to donate, call (310) 863-7972 or (714) 705-5407. Event takes place at 5613 Hersholt Ave., Lakewood. Please donate your items before July 25.
Ongoing—Pet Literacy at ACS
Pet Literacy is a City of Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) program at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village. The program promotes humane treatment, socialization of animals, creating a connection between animals and humans, and literacy through reading aloud to the animals. Wednesdays–Sundays, 2–3 p.m., 7700 East Spring St.