The event, which would have been the fifth annual if the pandemic hadn’t shown its ugly face, will feature naughty shows and raffles with glittering prizes such as artwork, pet supplies, Halloween décor and a few pieces of singular jewelry that’s not, shall we say, for the pursed of lips.

Fostering an animal is one more way to help mitigate shelter overcrowding and socialize pets for new homes. It occupies a point somewhere on the shelter-overpopulation continuum, between spay/neuter at one end and adoption one on other.

Cats can be tough audiences, especially if you’re a comedian.

Dogs who’ve had the worst luck in the world will find their fortunes turned around if Live Love gets wind of them.

It’s all adult cats this time—little kittens are sure cute, and they get adopted faster than the adult cats, seniors and the ones grown past the adorables. They are waiting to go home, too.

There’s no point in telling a determined humane advocate that they can’t save every animal life or prevent every birth that can’t be guaranteed a forever home. They already know that, and do it anyway, impossible as it seems year to year.

Volunteers at Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) go way beyond “willingness” in their devotion to the well-being of the cats, dogs and rabbits who live in the kennels and the Bunny Barn.

Live adoptions are returning in full swing since pandemic restrictions have been eased, and efforts to find homes for cats and kittens are redoubling this year, thanks to a kitten season that some rescuers say is worse than last year’s.

“I have massive ideas that are doable, and in my heart, I want to accomplish all by next week!” Teri Gray said. “It’s hard to go so slow!”