If you want a bit of nonsense for frittering away your time, I have just the thing: national-day calendars, one of which is at the link I just gave you. You can spend hours down that rabbit hole. Days that achieved popularity over the years, such as Read Across America Day and National Pi Day, which extrapolates 3.14159 … to pizza and crusted desserts, are documented in detail. Scores of national days—National Do a Grouch a Favor Day, National Clean Up Your Desk Day (I’m nonobservant), National Whipped Cream Day, National Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day—all go from random to ridiculous.

Today, May 28, you can choose from among National Beef Burger Day, National Brisket Day, National Hamburger Day (vegan choices permitted, I’m sure), National Don’t Fry Day (it’s the Friday before Memorial Day), National Road Trip Day and National Cooler Day.

And on June 4, you get National Hug Your Cat Day (and if you think I overdo it with the puns, click that link, read, and weep). Thus I write my way into the excuse for this column.

The idea to assign a specific day to many of those enthusiasms, passions and obsessions is nonsense, and that goes double for hugging your cat . First, you should hug your cat every day. Second, the cat may not agree with the idea. My house houses three felines. When I attempt a hug, the big one goes all cataplectic (now there’s a pun I haven’t used yet) and turns into an unresponsive 16-pound sack of flour, the calico gets a look on her face that clearly says “Soon’s I see an out, I jump,” and the little tabby patch who came to live with me 14 years ago after a horrific experience swears and curses and claws and flees. She’s otherwise obnoxiously affectionate, but she is who she is.

“The person who came up with this idea is either a sadist, a masochist, or both,” commented Brandy Gaunt, the Matron of Jellicle Manor and the caretaker, caregiver and kitty trapper of Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation. “Because the most important thing to remember is this: cats are equal parts soft fluff and sharp points.”

woman with long blond hair and wearing a purple pullover hugs a brown cat with no ears.
Bob is a permanent resident of Jellicle Cats Manors. His ears had to be removed because of a medical condition, so although there isn’t much to scratch behind, Bob suffers hugs gladly. Photo courtesy of Brandy Gaunt

 

Gaunt understands and translates the feline psyche into human language. Cat behaviors run a gamut, and she lives with a full range, from longtime Manor resident Hurley, who Gaunt said is 100% open to snuggles and cuddles at all times, to cats like Jellicle Cat Mako (“aka Mako Shark; bet you can guess why!”), and all the midpointy ears.

black cat with pink collar nips a finger.
Mako shows you why. She has such teeth, dear. Photo courtesy of Brandy Gaunt.

 

“It’s important to remember that each cat is different and to understand their preferences and their behaviors,” Gaunt said. “This is one reason why rescuers ask so many questions on adoption applications: to make sure we are making the right match.”

white cat with tabby markings around ears lies on side on beige bedspread
Gaunt keeps getting applications for Ghost from people who want a lapcat. “Ghost is an affectionate, companionable cat, but he’s having no part of being held or hugged or cuddled!” Gaunt said. “If we sent him home with someone who tried to snuggle him, they would be very disappointed, as would Ghost.” Photo courtesy of Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation

Some standoffish or downright grouchy cats, Gaunt said, could become amenable to the observances of National Hug Your Cat Day with time, patience, treats and positive reinforcement. But she advises that none of your attempts are guaranteed success.

“What you will get out of your efforts, though, is a bond with your kitty that will allow you to see clearly what interaction your kitty wants, and where the limits are, so you can recognize and respect them, allowing you both to be happy with a set of rules you both understand,” Gaunt said. “Watch out for that belly, though. It’s usually a trap.”

The cats of Jellicle Manor as well as the ones in your home will get either hugs, chin scritches or kisses on the head on National Hug Your Cat Day.

“And some will get an extra treat and acknowledgement and the understanding that someone could get hurt, so don’t try.”

In the exact words of Brandy Gaunt, happy Hug Your Cat Day, and be careful.

Virtually Pets

These cats are adoptable from Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation and several would love to be loved by you, if not hugged. To see whether you live up to their expectations, fill out an application here. You can also look at the other Jellicles on the page, and there may be live adoptions (check the website for info).

And in the name of all that’s feline, please donate to Jellicle Cats! It costs money to run a rescue, and money doesn’t grow on cat trees. There’s a link for that.

orange cat with white chest and black collar sits in front of a black-and-white print.
Sherbert is 1 ½ years old and has his own way of doing things, like, for example, getting a refreshing drink from the fountain—by sticking his head in it. He’s a cat with whom you could totally celebrate Hug Your Cat Day. He gets along with other cats, though he’s quite selective about his playmates, and is quite indulgent of cat-friendly small dogs. He’s neutered, microchipped, combo tested, and ready to go home!

brown tabby face with pink nose and white mask and chest

Calliope is the newest kitty at Jellicle Manor, and we guesstimate her to be under 2 years old. She’s a gorgeous kitty who’s getting used to being held and loved and adored —she’s still learning about hugs. She’s not a fan of dogs, and would love a home with quiet kitty friends, or better yet, a home all to herself.

woman with long blond/brown hair wearing purple pullover hugs a cat with a tabby mask and back and a white muzzle and body. Woman wears a watch on her wrist.
“Calliope’s first hug! And she even maybe kind of didn’t hate it. She’s spayed, microchipped, and ready for her forever home!”

 

Two orange cats sit next to each other on a blue blanket.
Tommy Pickles is an absolute mush whose purrs you can hear from across the room. He is always up for a snuggle or a smooch upon his greckled nose. Tommy also very much enjoys cuddling with his momma, Maggie May, who’s an older, quiet, dignified lady. He’d love for them to find a home together. Tommy Pickles is almost 6 years old and is neutered, microchipped and ready to go home. Maggie May is almost 12 and is spayed, microchipped and ready for a quiet home where she can snooze in a sunbeam and enjoy getting petted.

At Long Beach Animal Care Services

And this guy is at Long Beach Animal Care Services and needs very badly to find someone to understand him. Levi is a beautiful chocolate-point Siamese cat. In a typical Siamese manner, he has bright blue eyes and a handsome fur coat. He is very loving and enjoys a good massage by his handlers. Also typical of Siamese and a lot of other cats as well, Levi is not fond of other cats. He’s territorial and aggressive if his personal space is threatened. If you adopt him and give him his own space for an adequate period of time (patience, my dear Watson), you will have a truly wonderful pet!

 

To adopt Levi, contact [email protected]

Just fur fun and fur-ther education

‘Meatballs in May’ neuter discount: May 1–31, Wednesday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., 1749 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, see flyer for prices

May will see prices for neuters (i.e., males only) even lower than Fix Long Beach’s usual prices, and on top of that, the first 100 appointments that month will get a free meatball dinner from Santa Fe Deli (mm-mm-MMM!). You and your cat or dog can go home after spending some uncomfortable hours in a clinic and go all Lady and the Tramp at home with the meatballs (just a nibble for your buddy—he’ll be a little worn out).

Fundraising raffle for The Little Lion Foundation: to May 31, see flyer for details.

Five’ll get you 100 if you’re the lucky winner of this raffle! Follow the instructions on the flyer to enter the competition for a $100 Amazon gift card. Whether you win or do not, you’ll be helping newborn kittens and adult cats win a chance themselves—at living. All proceeds go to The Little Lion Foundation. Donations to the rescue are accepted on the link on the name.

Help wanted, help given

Volunteer walkers needed for senior citizens’ dogs

Ida’s Walkers is a program of The Heart of Ida, a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving the older-adult population in and around Long Beach. Ida’s Walkers offers dog-walking services to low-to-moderate-income seniors who are hospitalized, have limited mobility, or are at risk of falling. If you want to help senior citizens keep their beloved pets as long as they are able to live at home, call the number on the graphic.

Foster2Furever needs foster homes for large-breed dogs

If you love big doggies and want to help socialize one for a forever home, fill out the application here, and Foster2Furever will contact a respected rescue who’ll match you to a king-size lovebug. Big homes and big yards aren’t required—just big hearts and a big desire to learn. Contact Foster2Furever here with any questions.

Fosters needed at Long Beach Animal Care Services

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. Long Beach Animal Care Services now has a foster program aimed at saving some little lives and socializing them. Who knows—maybe one of those lives will change your mind about the not-ready-for-roommate thing.

Fix Long Beach low-cost pet-services clinics: Wednesday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., 1749 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach, services available by appointment at www.fixlongbeachpets.com.

Fix Long Beach has reopened and is taking appointments for low-cost spay/neuter, dental, vaccines and other vet needs for cats and dogs. Visit their webpage or Facebook page for details.

DIY Kitten Care Kits available free at Long Beach Animal Care Services

Kitten season has begun, and soon, shelters and rescues will be scrambling to save their lives, get them fixed, get them adopted. It isn’t unusual to find nests of young, seemingly abandoned kittens during kitten season. It is a natural reaction to want to help, to save them. If you are interested in obtaining a Kitten Care Kit made possible by Helen Sanders CatPAWS, please email [email protected].

Spay/neuter vouchers available at shelter

Long Beach Animal Care Services has spay/neuter vouchers available. They’ll take a healthy nip out of the cost of a procedure. Residents of any of the five cities served by the shelter can telephone the general number at 562-570–7387 to request a voucher.

 Spay/neuter appointments available at SNP/LA

The Spay/Neuter Project of Los Angeles (SNP/LA) is back in business for free and low-cost spay/neuter services, and they’re extending the hours of their vaccination clinics. The San Pedro clinic, located at 957 N. Gaffey St., will give shots every third Thursday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Call 310-574–5555 to see if you qualify for services.

If you can see the bottom of the kibble bag

homeless man with longish brown hair and beard in old clothing sits on street closely cuddlinghis large tan-and-gray dog

Pets of the Homeless’s 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, 3726 E. Seventh St., 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. Third St., Long Beach, Thursday from 9 to 11:00 a.m. Donations will be gratefully accepted at these locations as well.

Adopt, adopt, adopt

woman with long blond hair and glasses and tank top sits in a cozy enclosure witha black-and-white cat on her lap.

Pet Food Express Cat Adoption Center: weekdays and Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Pet Food Express, 4220 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, adoption fees apply

This adoption center is a much-needed satellite operation of Long Beach Animal Care Services. Julie and her team pull adoptable cats—”adoptable,” to these guys, means any cat in a shelter kennel! The team socializes the kitties until they’re adopted, which takes less time than you could imagine!

 Helen Sanders CatPAWS adoption center: viewable daily during store hours, PetSmart, 12341 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach, adoption fees apply.

Window-shopping’s a neat pastime and likely has become more common during the pandemic. Helen Sanders CatPAWS has applied window-shopping to cat adoption; you can peer at several of the fine felines through the windows of the PetSmart adoption center in Seal Beach. Sadly, no ear scratching or chin rubs at this time, but volunteers can answer questions and provide you with adoption information! Be sure to wear a mask. You can find adoption applications and all the kitties here.

Links to loveables

The following pet-related businesses regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. As as of now, adoptions are mainly by appointment. Fosters are needed for kittens as well. 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.