Virtually Pets

Long Beach Animal Care Services’s load has been lightened thanks to rescue efforts from the community. That doesn’t mean that pets aren’t still coming in, especially now that fireworks have been crashing and booming everywhere and animals have been getting lost. Nice to have room, but please take care that your pets don’t make an escape.

Each of these four beautiful doggies came in either as an owner surrender or a stray/abandonment. After the waiting period, the dogs are adoptable and ready to go home forever. Because the shelter’s closed to the public, email the shelter at [email protected]. If you know anyone who needs help with spaying, neutering, getting free microchips to greatly increase the chances that your pet will be returned if, heaven forbid, they run off during Fourth of July, scroll down to the announcements below the adoption photos. There are rescues there, too!

large black German shepherd stands on grass and looks at camera
Max (ID#643553) is an 8-year-old male German shepherd. “Calm, cool and collected” best describes this magnificent guy. He’s gentle, kind and handsome and can’t wait to find his furever home to huddle in there with you!

 

white pitbull wiht one metal-gray ear sits on grass and smiles
Bella (ID#A630664) is a 4-year-old female pit-bull-terrier mix. She wants to play all day long! She’s a happy-go-lucky girl and shelter favorite who lights up whenever someone walks into the room. A true “Bella” of the ball!

 

Smiling man with long white mustache and white hair, wearing dark-blue T-shirt, holds little white dog.
Gizmo (ID#A643613) is a year-old male terrier mix. His description reads “fun, loveable and happy”—just ask volunteer Gary! Want a dog that loves to love? This is your man. Need some emotional support? He’s the best wingman you could ever ask for, and he could use your shoulder, too!

 

woman with short, dark hair wearing sunglasses, a green apron and a pink T-shirt holds little white dog. A blue building is behind her.
And here’s volunteer Mary with brudder Ozzy (ID#A64364)! Ozzy is Gizmo’s goofy brother. He, too, is a year-old terrier mix. He’s playful and curious, but he’s mostly about snuggling and kisses, which he and his brother will steal from you!
If you can see the bottom of the kibble bag:

 

 

Friends of Long Beach Animals will have its pet-food giveaway at the Masonic Lodge on June 20 (see graphic for details) at noon until there’s no more food! The organization thanks the community, Centinela Pets and the ASPCA for their generous donations during their May food drive. The donated food will help feed our community’s pets, but give a call anyway. You’d be surprised at how quickly over 3 tons of food (yup, 3 tons!) can go!

West Coast Toyota of Long Beach bought $3,000 worth of pet food last month to deliver to people in need in our community. If anyone you know is in this position, take a photo of the food you give to your pet, and include your name, contact information and a brief description of your work situation to [email protected]. Fix’n Fidos will deliver the food to you or arrange for you to pick it up.

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. 7th 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. 3rd St., Long Beach, Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Donations will be gratefully accepted at these locations as well.

Help wanted, help given

Fix Long Beach returns to hosting free spay/neuter clinics to support the pets of our community members who need help caring for them. This month, a clinic dedicated to fixing cats (yay, cats!) will take place in the new location at a private business located at  1749 Magnolia Ave., Long Beach. Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. As with all clinics, this one will have available vaccines for either species at $10 each, $10 flea meds, $5 nail trimming and free microchips. In order to comply with COVID-19 recommendations and for the safety of our clients and volunteers, everyone will be required to wear a mask and the clinics will be drive-thru only. Dogs must be on sturdy leashes, and cats must be confined in dedicated carriers. Enter the clinic from the alley only—do not enter or wait at the front of the building. Volunteers will handle drop-off and pickup. Appointments aren’t needed for vaccines and the other services. Vouchers that require a minimal copayment will also be available. Visit us here to make appointments for a spay/neuter procedure and for other information. Long Beach Animal Care Services is seeking individuals to join a rescue task force that would visit neighborhoods to reunite lost pets with their owners and also alert them to resources for needs such as spay and neuter, pet training, food and medical care. Anyone wanting to help people help their pets should contact the shelter’s manager at [email protected] and let her know how you’d like to help in this effort.

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 5 cities served by the shelter—(see above)—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. Beginning June 18, the San Pedro clinic, located at 957 N. Gaffey St., will give shots every 3rd Thursday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Call 310-574-5555 to see if you qualify for services.

Calico cat poses near cat tree with smiling woman in brown bangs and blue V-neck looking at her.

Adopt, adopt, adopt

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.