Dogs in city shelters need more than four-leaf clovers to give them the pot o’gold that they all want and need so badly. Most of the pooches at Long Beach Animal Care Services are big fellas and gals, and some have been in the shelter for months through no fault or failing on their part.

To start off St. Paddypaws Day with a wag, Off-Leash Photography took a few snappy snaps of the good dogs, including some décor loud enough to awaken the Sleeping Men of Ulster. K9 Kismet volunteer Samantha Vianos caught shelter favorite Diesel grinning as if he were in the midst of an Irish pup crawl.

All these doggies are very much loved at the shelter, but everyone would agree they’d be better off at home. To adopt any one of them, make an appointment at [email protected]. Note the ID numbers on the photos. View the other little leprechauns and cool Finn McCools on this link.

If you can’t commit to forever now, consider fostering. Check out the DiscoverMe temporary foster program that LBACS has brought in. It’s under the Helping Paws heading in the column.

Virtually pets
bully mix sits on purple rug next to a pot of gold, with garish, purple curtains in back
Budz, 6, is your man—a handsome lad, for sure! He gets so excited when he sees someone coming to take him for a turn around the green, but once he’s out, he’s sweet as Irish coffee. He’s easy on a leash—he doesn’t pull or react to other dogs. He takes treats gently, sits and lies down for rewards, loves playing fetch with a rope toy, and is just an all-around lovely dog. Photo by Off-Leash Photography.
Husky mix stands on a purple rug next to a pot of gold, with garish, purple curtains in rear.
Camilo, 4, wants to spend his time in a house with plenty of opportunity for exercise and a human familiar with the quirks and needs of the husky breed. Whether you’re Irish or are not, he’ll kiss you! Photo by Off-Leash Photography.
Shepherd mix sits on a purple rug next to a pot of gold. Garish purple curtains are in the back.
Estella is a beautiful 5-year-old shepherd mix who came in as a stray with a male German shepherd. Estella’s buddy has recently been adopted, and now it’s Estella’s turn to find her forever home! She walks well on a leash and longs to be your movie night companion or being a happy vagabond by the beach with you, singing and howling sea chanteys. Photo by Off-Leash Photography.
white pit bull with closed eyes, a big grin and a green shamrock-print scarf sits on the grass
Diesel is powered by play and people! As you can see, he loves a good laugh. He loves his toys, especially the stuffies, but doesn’t get possessive over them. He also loves to walk, have a treat, “hold hands” with his human buddies, and give them his paw and smile that big smile! He’s even up for an Irish reel if the music’s right. Diesel has been in our shelter for over six months. When he entered, he had a skin infection that affected his entire system. Test showed untreated allergic dermatitis. It’s under control now, but he needs a caring foster or adopter to really heal him inside and out! He needs some leash training—as his name suggests, he’s pretty high powered, but he’s smart and a quick study. Photo by K9 Kismet volunteer Samantha Vianos
Furballs of Fun
Courtesy photo

Seal Beach Animal Care Center Kitten Shower and Bake Sale: 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, March 12, Seal Beach Animal Care Center, 1700 Adolfo Lopez Drive, donations gladly accepted

Spring season brings showers, or it used to. Kitten season brings—that’s right! Kitten showers. Seal Beach Animal Care Center will present a kitten shower and bake sale to support their kitten-foster program that helps all the kittens born during the next few months. Enjoy handmade crafts, cat and dog merch, and freshly baked goodies to lick your whiskers over. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no tours of the grounds, but know that every cent you donate will go to snuggly kitten well-being. More information and the program’s wish list available here.

17th annual Haute Dogs Bulldog Beauty Contest: starts 9 a.m., Sunday, March 20, boat launch near Rosie’s Dog Beach, 5000 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, $10 advance donation

A beach full of bulldogs and other breeds and combinations thereof will compete in 12 competitions, including best senior, best youngster, best sibling set and, of course, most beautiful English bulldog! If you believe that your pooch’s face can be loved by more than a mother, read the rules here and then fill out an application!

Helping paws

Long Beach Animal Care Services seeks temporary two-week fosters

No matter how caring the staff and volunteers at a shelter may be, there’s really no place like home for a dog or a cat. LBACS has a solution in DiscoverMe Project, an innovative program that allows shelter dogs and cats to go into temporary two-week foster care in an approved Wagging Dog Rescue foster home. In an effort to get some of the harder-to-place pets with temporary fosters, the shelter staff and volunteers are looking for devoted dog lovers and cat cuddlers to help them showcase sweet, furry potential family members! This temporary reprieve gives dogs and cats a break from the stresses of being kenneled and gives them a reboot with mental, emotional and physical relief. This enables them to better handle the stressful shelter environment when (and we’ll say if!) return.

LBACS’ ideal DiscoverMe dog or cat is one who is sitting unnoticed at the shelter for weeks or even months; not showing well in the kennel because of withdrawal, barking, hissing or other stress-related behaviors; or had been adopted and returned, possibly more than once. While in foster care, shelter staff can have better information about the pet’s real personality and habits, which don’t always show in a stressful kennel environment. This information, along with photos and videos taken by the foster, can help the shelter choose a good adopter.

The ideal situation would be the fosters deciding to not return the DiscoverMe cat or dog to the shelter. Ever.

If you’re an experienced dog or cat person and would be interested in a DiscoverMe Dog or Cat as a house guest, email [email protected] or start the foster application process here.

woman in denim jacket holds little white cat with tabby ears. kennels with kittens are in the background.

Foster for awhile—or furever!

Speaking of fostering, if you’ve always wanted a pet but aren’t sure if you’re ready for a lifetime (the animal’s) commitment, or if you’re past the pet-roommate days for any reason, fostering might be a great way to go, especially with one or more of the kittens popping up during kitten season. Every one of the organizations listed below is in desperate need of fosters who’ll social them and help save their little lives. Who knows—maybe one of those lives will change your mind about the not-ready-for-roommate thing!

These nonprofits also regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. As of now, adoptions are mainly by appointment. Click on the links for each rescue in case of updates or changes. These organizations operate through donations and grants, and anything you can give would be welcome. Please suggest any Long Beach-area rescues to add to the list.