Virtually pets

Many people have learned firsthand—some for the first time—about the abilities that pets have to heal and comfort their humans. Animal rescuer Markelle Pineda knows full well that many animals need healing and comfort just as much as people do. Nonprofit SAFE (Saving Animals from Euthanasia) Rescue Team, which Pineda founded in 2019, provides these things for animals that have been diagnosed with severe medical issues and injuries. The rescue pulls dogs from shelters and other rescues and regularly takes in owner surrenders, and they pay everyone’s medical bills. They also provide spay and neuter procedures for all the pets.

“My passion is definitely spay-and-neuter,” Pineda said. “Anybody that needs to get their Mother Nature packages removed, we do it and pay for it.”

SAFE Rescue Team primarily saves dogs, although the rescue has been happy to spay a couple of community momcats and fix and find homes for the kittens. Pineda aims her passion at dogs with medical needs, and she has a special heart for bully breeds and mixes, which are the types of dogs found most often in shelters. At last glance, there were nine of them at Long Beach Animal Care Services.

“I wanted to make my own decision about what dogs I take in,” said Pineda, who has been involved in rescue for many years.

Being a lifeline to damaged dogs runs up dollars in doctor bills. Like most rescues, SAFE Rescue Team is dependent on donations, grants and partnerships. Pineda is grateful for her nonprofit’s alliance with other rescues, which makes it possible for the nonprofit to take on severe cases that they couldn’t otherwise have afforded to get well enough to go home.

“Hope for Paws has been miraculous in helping us out,” Pineda said. “They’ve assisted with care for dogs with shattered femurs, dogs with broken pelvises—we had nine dogs last year that were hit by cars. Even though we’re in the middle of the pandemic, we did 131 dogs last year, with the majority being severe medical cases.”

Pineda said that if the nonprofit needs anything aside from donations, it’s fosters. SAFE Rescue Team will continue to take in as many wounded little critters as they can, and they’ll need a haven.

“This keeps me really, really busy—it’s been nonstop,” Pineda said. “We always need local fosters—fostering saves lives.”

If you can foster a doggie (medical bills will be taken care of), contact SAFE Rescue Team here.

Donate to SAFE Rescue Team either with a cash donation or in kind on its Amazon Wish List. Visit their Facebook page to see the rescue in action.

And of course, adopt one of their dogs. Each has been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed and flea treated. Your new friend’s rabies certificates and veterinary records will be provided. Here are a few candidates—adoption applications are available here.

White poodle face looks blinkingly at camera. Arms of human holding him are visible.
The first kid is Jude. He is a 1-year-old Maltipoo who’s energetic and loves other dogs. His mix of breeds is considered to be hypoallergenic, which means that Jude likely won’t make you sneeze and wheeze. But he does need some basic training and someone with lots of love and patience.

 

funny-faced, fluffy, white poodle mix with black mask and ears stares sidelong at the camera. A woman's face peers out from behind him.
The next is Domino. He is a senior poodle rescued from the SEAACA shelter in Downey. Domino was paralyzed and unable to stand or walk. The fosters have been working with veterinarians to get him to stand and to walk short distances. He is the sweetest boy alive!

 

little pit bull with white face and body and gray ears stares out at camera. He is lying on a soft blanket on a bed.
Nick James is next. Nickie was pulled from Long Beach Animal Care Services after they contacted SAFE Rescue Team because he had parvo. He was just a baby then. He’s now an 8-month-old Staffie who loves other dogs and kids, is cat friendly, and needs a family or person to love him up. Best of all, thanks to excellent vet care, he’s now completely free of the virus!

 

white pit bull with pink muzzle stares at camera. Woman in black patterned mask peers out from behind.
Last but not least is Fudge, who was rescued from Los Angeles Animal Services. She had mammary masses, and SAFE Rescue Team provided surgery. Now, she has a clean bill of health! Fudge is 6 to 8 years old; is dog, cat and kid friendly; and is absolutely perfect in every way!

 

Bone-us dog

Black lab mix with white chest and white nose bridge lies on a colorful carpet

One resolution I made is to attempt to feature more dogs in The Scratching Post. Just recently, I heard from Caroline at The Bunny Bunch Rabbit Rescue who needed help with, of all things, a dog. Not even one with long, floppy ears. Her name is Olivia—she’s a German shepherd/Lab mix who was found in the street, unable to walk. Someone dropped her off at an emergency clinic, where OC Animal Control picked her up. Thanks to a generous medical sponsor, Olivia had spinal surgery, but she might not be able to walk again. If anyone can help by either adopting her or finding a medical foster, please contact Caroline at [email protected]

Read Olivia’s full story here.

As for that resolution, they’re made to be broken, and of course, you can expect more cats. But I promise more balance. Sort of.

Just fur fun and fur-ther education

Feline Good Social Club pads off to hibernate

Feline Good Social Club will be closed to the public for at least a month. The cat curators said that in the interest of public safety, the kitties will be curled up in foster homes and will hopefully be back Jan. 28, 2021. “We are so sad that we have to share this disappointing news during this holiday season,” read their social-media posts. “Stay tuned and pawsitive, friends—we will be back!”

Online Cat Conference 2021, register here, Friday, Jan. 29, 4–6 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 30, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 31, 7 a.m.–3 p.m., $60 through Jan. 29, $75 after that date

Have you made a resolution to find out more how you could help some of the cats you see out and about in your neighborhood? Or maybe you resolve to learn more about nutrition and how to keep your own cats healthy and happy. You can learn about all that and so much more in this information packed three-day conference! Check out the myriad topics and outstanding presenters. If you type in the code Catpaws when registering, the conference planners will make a $25 donation to Helen Sanders CatPAWS. Register here:

https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/…/online-cat…/

Help wanted, help given

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

Kitten season is just about up, but kittens still enter shelters. It isn’t unusual to find nests of young, seemingly abandoned kittens during kitten season. 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.

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:

bags and bags and pallets and pallets of pet food sit in a parking lot.
Friends of Long Beach Animals collected over 9 tons of pet food last year. Photo by Tom Hanberg.

 

Helen Sanders CatPAWS offers, through specific private donors, e-gift cards for people struggling during the crisis to buy food for their pets. The CatPAWS Spay/Neuter Fund, also privately funded, has vouchers available for anyone not able to go to the shelter for them. They also accept donations.

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, 3726 E. Seventh St.

Belmont Heights Animal Hospital, 255 Redondo Ave.

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

Food and supplies are available at Beacon for Him Ministries, 1535 Gundry Ave., 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., Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Donations will be gratefully accepted at these locations as well.

Adopt, adopt, adopt

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, but 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.