Long Beach Animal Care Services’ four- (and sometimes three-) legged population mostly comprises unclaimed and unwanted dogs and cats. But rabbits frequently come in as well. Sometimes, it’s bunches at batches of bunnies at one time, which sounds like a book for toddlers, but the reason why they’re there is definitely not cute.

“People dump them in the park, the owners surrender them,” said long-time rabbit volunteer Daniel Marolda. “It was bad timing this time.”

Marolda was referring to the recent conflux of unfortunate intakes of rabbits—14 in all. I assumed that it had something to do with after-Easter bunny dumping, but Marolda said that it had nothing to do with the holiday. Rabbits, sometimes in large numbers, are surrendered or rescued year-round.

Because of the many rabbits recently taken in, there weren’t enough kennel spaces for them in the Bunny Barn, but the ones not housed in the barn had the good luck—the rabbits’ feet helped in this respect—to snuggle into the kennels in the hallway of the nice, quiet Cat Cottage.

 

 

The rabbits spend their days in the play areas on either side of the Bunny Barn, receiving their timothy hay and other treats from Marolda while their kennels are cleaned for the evening. There were two or three green Adopted signs on a few of the kennels, which are always great to see.

People like rabbits and may want to take one or two home. Rabbits are fun, loving and lovable creatures who get adopted for their cuteness and personalities. They get dumped or turned in because the adopters discover that they’re not living stuffed toys. Bunnies have special needs, including diet—carrots aren’t a staple, no matter the culinary preferences of Bugs Bunny—their teeth need to be filed down professionally every so often, you have to bunny-proof your home so that they won’t chew on any electric wiring, and they must be spayed or neutered, particularly if you get a male/female pair. One of the reasons for the shelter bunny booms is that the adage about rabbits multiplying isn’t at all a myth.

If you want to adopt one of these wonderful critters, read up on the Bunny Basics information that the Bunny Bunch’s Caroline Charland of the Bunny Bunch rescue has made available on the website. If you’re in agreement with what adopting a cottontail entails and can make the commitment to cohabit with a rabbit, hare on over to the shelter and meet a few!

Virtually pets

You may now visit Long Beach Animal Care Services without an appointment Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and see the little hoppers in the Bunny Barn! If you want to speed the process, you can still make an appointment by emailing [email protected] or by calling 562-570-4925. Here are a few of them having a great time!

two white bunnys sit together in fenced-in area, staring outward
Abel and Mabel (don’t know which is which) are only 4 months old! There may be a sibling named Gable. They have been spayed or neutered.

 

black bunny with white face stands by play tunnel with white bunny on other side of fencing
Little Carlotta rests in front of her bun tunnel, while Rachel spots a handful of timothy grass coming her way.

 

little white bunny with black "eyeliner" sits in front of a striped tunnel
Lenny may look quiet, and he can be, but he’s also a kick in the pants! He’s affectionate and loves people, especially if your pants cuffs are within nibbling reach.

 

Great Furballs of Fun

 

replica of Queen Mary ship made of cans and water bottles
CANstruction’s first effort in Long Beach, 2014. It was built entirely out of cans and empty bottles by PS2 engineering. Somewhere floats an analogy. Photo courtesy of CANstruction.

CANstruction Long Beach: Pet Edition: Friday, May 20, Trademark Brewery, 233 Anaheim St., Long Beach, construction begins at 7 a.m.

CANstruction Long Beach is celebrating National Pet Day with its inaugural pet-themed structure! PS2 engineering has volunteered to construct a 10-foot-by-10-inch doghouse entirely out of cans of dog food! Guests are invited to watch the construction and bring cans to donate to the project. The construction will stay up for 10 days, after which it will be deconstructed and the cans rolled over to the Rovers at the Sparky and the Gang animal rescue. Come if you CAN!

Adopt, adopt, adopt

popup with people gathered around table underneath, with grass field.
. . . an info table staffed with staff and volunteers and bearing banners that say “Foster-Adopt,” festooned with animal photos. And you’re at LBACS.

Long Beach Animal Care Services open Saturdays and Sundays, with no appointment necessary

Please make our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Service your first stop for adoption—it continues to fill with dogs and cats. LBACS is now open without any appointment necessary Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for adoptions and for intake of healthy stray dogs. . Appointments to adopt one of these sweet animals are readily available at [email protected] or 562-570-4925. Enter through the door near the spcaLA Adoptions sign.

The shelter is also for redemptions of personal pets during regular business hours and also accepts any sick, dangerous or injured animal without appointment during regular business hours.

 

Foster for awhile—or furever!

 

Man lies on plaid blanket with neck-to-toe cats
Meet a real cat dad—he’s fostering for Helen Sanders CatPAWS, and he’s not lying down on the job, no matter what he looks like. All cat foster parents are encouraged to fill out a form, available here, to take home a kitten and socialize them for the adoption center! It’s just temporary. Really. Unless . . . Photo courtesy of Nancy Cohn

 

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.