If you’re a military veteran and have the proper ID and qualifications to adopt, you’ll be able to adopt a cat or a dog from any public animal shelter in with no fee attached, beginning January 2020. California Sen. Ling Ling Chang has authored and introduced SB 245, or the Pets for Vets bill (what else would they call it?). The bill will give any shelter the authority to limit the number of pets a veteran may adopt to one every six months, which is kind of a bummer if you see that adorable bonded pair of kittens and want them both. If the bill has any real limitations, it’s that rabbits aren’t included in the bill’s text, but that’s what amendments are for, and anyway, who’s going to turn down a bunny adoption for someone who’s risked life and limb in battle?

I asked shelter manager Staycee Dains if Long Beach Animal Care Services would jump at the January marching orders and immediately waive an adoption fee for qualifying veterans.

“But of course!” she said.

If you’re a military veteran and can provide a wonderful home for an animal, this is one way that the state thanks you for your service. And it’s Long Beach’s way of immediately tuning in to the community, offering friendships for life.

This week’s featured pets only include cats because, well, there are a lot of them there. But if you want a dog or, of course, a rabbit, they’re waiting for you there, too.

And on your weekend, and for always, thank you, veterans.

gray-striped kitty with blue collar and alert demeanor.
Ringo (ID#A635530) is one-year-old gray domestic shorthair stud. He’s a pretty big laddie now and is friendly, outgoing, and a regular Adonis. He’d be a presence in any home.
black-and-white cat with big green eyes, white harlequin mask and chest, and black nose
He’s a perfectly marked black-and-white kitty whom shelter staff named her Oreo (ID#A635388). Too prosaic? You get to name him—she’s only 5 months old and has lots of time to learn a new name. She’s warm and affectionate, and loves all the shelter staff members, so likely, she’ll add you to her love list!
Gray cat with big green eyes stares intently into camera
Who, me? Yes you, George (ID#A635248)—you’re darling and take a great photo! George is a 4-month-old tiny bundle of gray fur. He’s cute, cuddly and loveable, and he’s guaranteed to love you, too.
longhaired black-and-white cat with a white muzzle, chest and black nose.
Dusty (ID#A635387) has lovely long black-and-white fur and green eyes—a real head turner! She’s only 6 months old and promises to turn into an affectionate girl!
gray cat with yellow eyes.
Seems as if there are quite a few jolly gray fellows coming to the shelter. Twix (ID#A632843) was found as a stray, at only 5 months old. He has yellow eyes, is strikingly beautiful, and ready to make your home even more special than it is. Have toys on hand!

Long Beach Animal Care Services is located in the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. No parking fee for shelter visitors. See the Shelter Shenanigans section for a photo of the exact door to go through—it can get confusing.

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.

Events

Fix Long Beach Free Spay/Neuter Clinic: Saturday, Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m., 1500 E. Carson St., Long Beach, free spay/neuter appointments for qualifying people; free microchips, shots, flea-med doses, dewormers and nail trimmings $10 each.

The best way to mitigate shelter euthanasia is to tamp the source, and that’s why we’re here. Our shelter and rescues are packed with cats and dogs, and everyone doing rescue is chasing their tail trying to get them all adopted. The best way for our community to help out is to turn off the taps at the other end so that more won’t be born. Remember: it’s the law to fix your pet in Long Beach, and Fix is here to help you do just that. Appointments are available for future clinics—make one at [email protected], or PM us on Facebook. More information is available here.

SBACC fundraiser at Finbar’s: Tuesday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Finbar’s Italian Kitchen, 1041 Pacific Coast Highway. (in the Pavilion’s shopping center), Seal Beach, menu prices apply

Have lunch or dinner at Finbar’s, and 20% of the tab will go toward helping the pets at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.

Book discussion of Rita Mae Brown’s “A Hiss Before Dying”:  Thursday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m., Gatsby Books, 5535 E. Spring St., Long Beach, free to spectate, books may be purchased

How does an independent bookstore stay in business these days, and for so many years? By appealing to literary tastes of every age and interest; by hosting signings, book clubs, poetry readings and everything else scholarly; by having an eclectic selection of used books with the ability to order you anything else; by categorizing and alphabetizing it all; and being good to Ruby the resident cat. Speaking of Ruby, Gatsby fans of Rita Mae Brown’s Mrs. Murphy mystery series, featuring feline sleuth Sneaky Pie Brown, will have fun clawing through “A Hiss Before Dying.” Gatsby also has more copies of Kayla Pallwitz’s kids book “How Cats Get Their Colors.”

Sparky and the Gang’s Fourth Annual Black Dog Tan Chihuahua event: Saturday, Nov. 16, 4–10 p.m., Elinor, 250 N. Tribune Court, Long Beach, tickets $45

Dress up in your dapper flappers and raise funds for Sparky and the Gang dog rescue! Enjoy a puppet performance by Rasputin Marionettes and meet quick-change artist go go Amy. Food from Gelson’s and cupcakes from Miss Priss will tempt your Prohibition sensibilities. Can we say barkeasy? Al Ca-Bone, maybe? Tickets available at [email protected] at PayPal. Make sure you specify tickets in note. More information available here.

Fall bake sale benefitting Jellicle Cats :  Saturday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Long Beach Coffee and Tea, 480 Pine Ave., Long Beach, goodie prices vary

If you like peanut butter and jelly on freshly baked loaves, adding Jellicle to it guarantees wonderfulness for you and for the cats at Jellicle Cats Rescue! Support all the cats needing homes, including Phoenix, the little cat rescued by Long Beach firefighters during last week’s brushfire in North Long Beach.

Live Love Animal Rescue Adoption Event:  Saturday, Nov. 23, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. The Circle, 1755 Ximeno Ave., Long Beach, adoption fees apply

See Live Love’s wonderful little adoptables, and get a discount on CBD veterinary products.

Holiday Paint & Purr event: Friday, Dec. 6, 7–9 p.m., Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, $45

Break out the tempura! Paint a festive snowcat while hanging out with the FGSC cats and mostly having fun in the best environment possible. All materials will be supplied and instructions provided. You’ll leave the session with a piece of festive cat art you can proudly hang on the wall, and maybe even with an adoptive buddy! Purrchase tickets here.

Chloe’s Birthday and Christmas Party Fundraiser: : Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m., 5931 E. Fairbrook St., Long Beach, donations accepted

It stinks that you have to have a sad story to lead to a happy ending, but it’s nice when you get one, anyway, because they’re so few. Readers may remember the story of Chloe, who was found nearly dead in a dumpster, covered in food waste and human urine. Chloe recovered and was adopted by a wonderful local couple, who have been saying thanks and passing all the good stuff forward ever since Chloe went home. They’re throwing a party for what they figure is her birthday, and in the holiday spirit are asking for donations to Fix Long Beach, the organization responsible for the little dog’s recovery. The celebration will include food, drinks, a silent auction, door prizes and live music. As for Chloe, she’s going to be wagging her tail and enjoying her happy ending, which will likely be forever after.

Calendars

The 2020 pet calendars are ready to wag in the new year, with favorite pinups on each month.

Helen Sanders CatPAWS Show Us Your Kitties calendar: $10 each, available here.

Southern California Bulldog Rescue Ador-a-bull Calendar: $25 each, available here.

Seal Beach Animal Care Center 2020 Calendar: available here in mid-November.

Has your dog been waiting for that walk down the runway? Has your cat been waiting to be discovered as the star they know they are?  It is now their time to shine! The 13 cats and 13 dogs with the most votes will become a monthly model, with the top cat and top dog as cover pets. Whether you’re a winner or a beloved entrant, the pets at Seal Beach Animal Care Center will profit from your entry—all funds will go to their care. Details available here.

Blue building in distance, sign over it saying "Animal Admissions," between two white pillars. To the right is a banner with blue highlights and animal faces that reads "Adopt at Long Beach Animal Care.
The signage at the P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village doesn’t specify which door leads to the shelter and which to spcaLA. But it’s easier to determine now. To adopt one of the pets in this article or any from Long Beach Animal Care Services–the shelter–pass through the door to the left of this banner, with the sign “Animal Admissions.”
Shelter Shenanigans

Pick Your Price Adoption Promo at the shelter continues through Oct. 31, where you can bring home a new best buddy and cuddle during the cooling days of autumn. Cats, dogs, rabbits—and if your kid has been pestering you for a horse, don’t worry. We haven’t any.

Have an overnight with a kitty with Foster Fridays! The shelter has kittens coming out of the walls—literally. The shelter manager constantly has a few in her office! The shelter is at capacity, especially where cats are concerned, so fosters are sorely needed. Every Friday from 2-5 p.m., shelter staff is inviting residents who have the necessary accommodations—a safe space, time to feed them and play with them, and a propensity to say “Awwww!” every 15 minutes—to take a healthy, weaned kitten home for a while. Shelter will provide food, litter and a carrier and will cover any offsite medical. Time commitment is two weeks, with an option to adopt—of course! Foster fail! Have questions? Contact the shelter director at [email protected].

Other/ongoing

Cats and Mats Yoga: Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, every Saturday in Nov., 11 a.m.–noon and 5:30–6:30 p.m., $20 per person

Can you side-plank on a mat? Can you do it with a cat? That’s the idea at Long Beach’s Feline Good Social Club, where you can have their resident kitties join you in asanas, which is really the best way! Bring a mat and wear comfy clothes that you don’t mind getting fur on. For ages 10 and up. Reservations are recommended and may be made on the events page.

Instructional Pack Walk: First Saturday of the month, 10–11 a.m., Bixby Park, 130 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, free, donations accepted

The public is invited to take part in a walk sponsored by Trot’s Dog Walking and Training that will help you and your best buddy learn proper leash manners and focus on each other instead of the distractions of the “real world.” Trot’s experienced pack leaders are there to guide you through the process. Meet at the park at the corner of Ocean and Junipero at 10am.

Donations accepted for Pets of the Homeless

Pets of the Homeless’ home page gives a self-description as the only organization focusing only on providing food and care for pets belonging to homeless people. Businesses and other organizations across the country receive in-kind donations of food and other needs that the dogs and cats’ human families can pick up at outreach locations. The following Long Beach businesses will accept your donations:

Trendi Pawz, 255 Redondo Ave., Long Beach

Belmont Heights Animal Hospital, 255 Redondo Ave., Long Beach

Paw Shoppe Pet Center, Inc., 6416 E. Spring St., Long Beach

Food and supplies are available at Beacon for Him Ministries, 1535 Gundry Ave. Long Beach, Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m.; and at Christian Outreach in Action, 515 E. 3rd St., Long Beach, Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Donations will be gratefully accepted at these locations as well.

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]. Click on the links for each rescue in case of updates or changes.

Chase Bank, 5200 East Second St., Long Beach

The Farmer’s Marketplace of Long Beach, 5000 E. Spring St. (Spring and Clark), Long Beach

Gelson’s Market, 6255 E. 2nd St.

Kahoots Pet Store, 18681 Main St. #102, Huntington 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 Seal Beach, 12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach.

PetSmart Signal Hill, 2550 Cherry Ave., Signal Hill

PetSmart Towne Center, 7631 Carson Blvd., Long Beach

Unleashed by Petco, 600 Redondo Ave.