Long Beach Animal Care Services and spcaLA will continue their Pick-a-Pittie pit bull adoption event up to Sunday, April 14. Pick-a-Pittie is the shelters’ spring event in which they hope to spring these generally misunderstood, overbred and often dumped dog breed or mix thereof.

Last week’s Virtually Pets cited nearly half the dogs in our shelter were pit bulls and pittie mixes, at the time of writing. Even though you can pick your own adoption fee for the dog, it’s a sad truth that not every one of them will go home. According to Phase 2 of the shelter study that the city auditor’s office released in August 2018, it would be terrific for the shelter to have its own foster program but staffing limits may prevent at least a robust one.

In the meantime, the dogs have Emily Ann Peters and rescuers like her, for both cats and dogs, trying to save as many as they have room and funding for. Peters is the founder of Live Love Pet Care, which combines fostering and rescue with services like pet sitting and dog walking. Peters’ mission—one of them—is to bring awareness to the community about the shelter being full and partnering with their rescue team to save as many lives as possible. Another mission is to grab out the dogs whose days are numbered and find fosters and homes for them.

Arrows and Buster are the latest beneficiaries of Peters’ efforts. She and her little daughter fell in love with Arrows during the Lucky Dog Humane Education Day. Kennels aren’t natural environments for animals, no matter how well cared for they are, and Arrows seemed to be particularly frustrated. The shelter had neutered him to relieve the stress, but he wanted out. Peters watched how gently he took treats from the volunteers and decided to network him. No one came forth.

Blonde woman in white tank top and red shorts cuddles gray-and-white pit bull.
Arrows gratefully grins at his foster mom. To adopt Arrows, email [email protected]

There was nobody for Buster either. Buster was exhibiting similar signs of stress and had a limited time there as well. So, Peters took the next step and found fosters for both dogs. She came for them last week—to see them with the new foster families, you’d never guess that they were anything but happy.

White pit bull infront of a family consisting of a man a woman, a teenage girl and a preteen girl
Seems as if Buster’s part of his foster family already, doesn’t it? Better adopt him quick. Applications available from [email protected].

That’s why we plead with people to stop at shelters first when you want to adopt a pet. Shelters are full because humans dump their animals, overbreed their pets, and mistreat them and lose them to authorities. Shelters are expected to work miracles in the face of this, coupled with limited resources. Not to tiptoe around this, but when shelters are full and there’s not enough room in rescues or enough fosters, pets have to be euthanized. The shelter, Peters said, advocates for positive outcomes.

Because a full shelter is a human-sourced problem, humans are the ones who can bring about solutions. Peters and her fellow rescuers more than go the distance. And there are myriad opportunities for all of us to volunteer, and of course, adopt.

“Summer’s approaching, which is the most challenging time for a local shelter,” Peters said, citing the number of newborns and pets escaping their homes when fireworks go off. “Get out and adopt.”

Adopting from the shelter leaves more empty kennels. If you’re interested in adopting either Arrows or Buster (or both), contact Live Love at [email protected]. To foster, email [email protected]. That’ll free up more space as well.

Live Love operates through donations. To help Peters get out as many dogs as she can, visit this link.

Things to do, pets to support

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

Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic: Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Ramona Park, 3301 E. 65th St., Long Beach, free spay/neuter for qualifying Long Beach residents, with appointment; free microchips, shots, flea-med doses, dewormers and nail trimmings $10 each—no appointment necessary. Appointments available for future clinics—come make one.

Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic, sponsored by Long Beach Animal Care Services and spcaLA: Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St., Long Beach, see text for pricing.

In addition to the vaccinations, Animal Care Services will bring its Adoption Waggin’ for pet adoptions and a pet licensing specialist. $10 Bordetella vaccinations for dogs; $20 CIV vaccinations for dogs; $15 DA2PPV vaccinations for dogs; $15–25 deworming for cats and dogs; $15 FeLV vaccinations for cats; $15 flea treatment for cats and dogs; $15 FVRCP vaccinations for cats; $25 microchips for dogs and cats; $7 rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs; $45 kitten package for kittens 6–12 weeks old, includes FVRCP, dewormer and microchip; $55 Puppy Package for puppies 6–12 weeks old, Includes DA2PPV, Bordetella, dewormer and microchip. All dogs on leash or carrier, all cats in carriers. Bring medical records if you have them. Cash and credit accepted.

Feline Good Social Club Grand Opening: Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m., 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, adoption fees apply

We don’t need coffee to keep us awake for this event! Finally, feline-ally, Long Beach is getting its own permanent cat café! Three entrepreneurial, passionate cat ladies have pounced on this opportunity to place rescue cats in a permanent and loving home. The Feline Good Social Club will have its grand opening in the heart of Downtown Long Beach and will offer a unique opportunity to socialize with adoptable cats in a playful environment supplemented with unlimited gourmet coffee and tea. The grand opening will feature a VIP Package with exclusives perks for those who would like additional time with the cats in a luxury setting, and merch bags filled with cat-themed gifts are sure to tickle your whiskers. All of the cats are rescued from the local rescue group Long Beach Felines.

Do Good with Burritos Fundraiser: Sunday, April 28, 4–8 p.m., Chipotle, Marina Pacifica Mall, 6376 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, menu prices apply.

Whoever would have thought that fundraising would be such a gas! Dine at Chipotle during this event, show the above flyer on your phone or printed out, and 33 percent of the proceeds will benefit Fix Long Beach to help spay and neuter as many cats and dogs as possible. Cool beans, right?

Helen Sanders CatPAWS Bowling Fundraiser: Saturday, May 11, 3–5 p.m., Westminster Lanes, 6471 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, $40 per ticket.

You know that if you draw whiskers on the head of a bowling pin and paste pointed ears on the crown that it’ll resemble a cat sitting up? That and the fact that it’s a good fund-raising idea for the cats and kittens under the care of Helen Sanders CatPAWS rescue. This annual event raises money for food, veterinary bills (they mount) and neonatal care, including the free DIY kits for bottle-feeders that CatPAWS makes available free of charge at the shelter. Details are on the flyer—so roll one down an alley for the alley cats!

Black pit bull terrier with white blaze on chest, with blue collar and pink leash, on grass next to footpath
Zeus (ID#A554598), 4-year-old black-and-white male pit bull terrier

Special study session for Long Beach Animal Care Services, Tuesday, April 16, 3:30 p.m., Long Beach City Hall Council Chambers, 333 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, free.

The public is invited to address the City Council during a study session to receive and file a presentation about Long Beach Animal Care Services.

Fix Long Beach’s ‘A Fistful of Dollars’ Casino Night: Saturday, June 22, 6–10:30 p.m., Cosmic Brewery, 20316 Gramercy Place, Torrance, $20 per ticket, available here.

It shouldn’t be a gamble to see whether Fix Long Beach can spay and neuter as many cats and dogs as possible as well as support the fosters. But it sure can be a neat way to fund the clinics, if last year’s event was any indication! The event includes a burger bar with a vegan option, s’more bar, discounts on beer and wine, and $50 casino cash for full-size craps, poker, roulette and blackjack tables. Come dressed to win in your favorite Western wear, and have fun during the Best Moustache contest; the 50/50 drawing; the silent auction; which includes some amazing trips; and the opportunity drawing. Prizes will go to the biggest casino winners. Tickets are available here.

Ongoing

Pick-a-Pittie adoption opportunity: shelter hours, through April 14, Long Beach Animal Care Services and spcaLA, 7700 E. Spring St. (at entrance to El Dorado Park), Long Beach, choose your own adoption fee.

Pit bulls are among the most common types of dogs found in shelters. They’re also largely misunderstood. Thankfully, they’re becoming popular as loyal companion pets. If you’d like to add one to your family, here’s your chance to not only pick a pittie but also pick the price you’ll pay for the adoption fee! The special is for qualified adopters only.

Adopt, adopt, adopt

The following pet-related businesses regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. If you’re a Long Beach-area rescue and don’t see your adoption event listed here, please email [email protected].

Chase Bank, 5200 East Second St., Long Beach

 Gelson’s Market, 6255 E. 2nd St.

Kahoots Pet Store, 18681 Main St. #102, Huntington Beach

Petco Animal Supplies, Marina Shores, 6500 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach

Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach:

PetSmart Cerritos, 12741 Towne Center Drive, Cerritos

PetSmart Compton, 1775 South Alameda St., Compton

PetSmart Garden Grove, 9835 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove

PetSmart, Long Beach Exchange, 3871 N. Lakewood Blvd., Long Beach

PetSmart Signal Hill, 2550 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill

PetSmart Seal Beach, 12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach.

Unleashed by Petco, 600 Redondo Ave.

tiny gray kitten sleeps in someone's hand

Long Beach Little Paws Project needs donations

The most vulnerable animals in the public shelter system are kittens under two pounds. These fragile babies, especially those not yet eating on their own, are typically euthanized on intake at most public shelters. In an effort to change the fate of far too many kittens, two non-profit rescue organizations, The Little Lion Foundation and Helen Sanders CatPAWS, have launched a joint effort to create and operate a kitten nursery. This nursery will give kittens too young to be adopted or those who need medical care a safe place to heal and grow. Newborn kittens are fragile and vulnerable. You can tell by those photos—if you look closely, you’ll see the beautiful cat that each of them will grow to be. Please read all about them here, and please, please donate.

Free Pet Food Distributions

Pet food is available at Beacon for Him Ministries, 439 West Anaheim St., Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. A dog-washing station with a stainless-steel tub is also available onsite at these hours. Donations and supplies such as shampoo, flea control meds and pet food are always gratefully accepted.

The Pet Food Bank is sponsored by Christian Outreach in Action, located at 515 E. Third St., Long Beach. Hours are Thursday from 9-11 a.m.

Pets of the Homeless provides many collection places across the country to help homeless people to feed and care for their animals. Please support them through a cash donation, or bring pet food to the Long Beach-area drop-off center, Trendi Pawz Grooming, 3726 E. Seventh St, Long Beach. Access this link for resources and donation areas in SoCal and across the country.

Four photos featuring shelter volunteers in green aprons and street clothing making peanut-butter treats in ice trays

Shelter-enrichment supplies requested for ACS’s cats, dogs and rabbits: drop-off Wednesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., shelter side of P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach

Canned kitten food, yogurt, beef and chicken broth, pipe cleaners, toilet-paper and paper-towel rolls, catnip, canned pet food, wine-bottle corks (for cat toys) and ice cube trays all are needed. Donations are tax deductible.