If you want to support the rescues and shelters, click on the link at the end of this article. Most of them, including Long Beach Animal Care Services, will do social-media or telephone adoptions.

From everything I’ve read, pets aren’t at risk of catching the virus. Make sure, though, that your animals have their food, meds and all their immunizations in case of a disruption of medical-supply delivery. It’s also a good idea to protect yourselves and any other human companions by not petting any animal that isn’t your own or allowing others to touch yours.

Stay current with the latest COVID-19 developments on the Long Beach Post’s live blog.

Virtually Pets

“If I have to be stuck at home, you’re sure good to have around to talk to,” said my best friend to his cats Eunice and Hector. He’s right, and I can doubly attest to that—I have four. If you’re lucky enough to have animals to discuss matters with and tell your troubles to, well, you’re lucky indeed. Even if the parakeet has been incessantly repeating “Dammit, no peanut butter left on the shelves,” you’re still lucky.

And while I hope you locate some peanut butter, even more importantly, be sure that you have enough food to tide your pets over for however long this thing takes. Last time I was at a pet-supply shop, they still had plenty. If your pet’s on medications, contact your vet for supplies.

What about the pets in shelters, though? They need someone to talk to, too. There’s an understandable shortage of volunteers and staff at shelters, but you can adopt one or more by appointment at Long Beach Animal Care Services. Foster programs connected with the shelter are in the planning stages so that you can ease the burden on both animals and staff.

You can renew your pet license either online or over the phone, and you can adopt and foster pets. No used towels or other items will be accepted, but other items can be left at the admissions door, or you can donate to the shelter’s wish list or various funds. Shelter manager Staycee Dains intended this short video to illustrate updates to shelter operations; I’m sharing it in an unapologetic attempt to feature Simon the Siamese-y and this absolutely intelligent, adorable orange adolescent who bears a startling resemblance to Dr. Anthony Fauci. I saw them yesterday, and I guarantee that they’ll make great company.

Video courtesy of Long Beach Animal Care Services

OK, let’s give the dogs their day.

Photos courtesy of Long Beach Animal Care Services

headshot of black German shepherd mix wearing green scarf and sitting on grassy area
Thunder (ID#A639088) is a 4-year-old male German shepherd mix. Calm, patient and gentle, he loves belly rubs. And he’s quite the handsome lad, as you can see. He’d be best as a solo pet with no other animals around and no other task than to keep both of you safer at home.
forlorn-looking pit bull, tan withwhite muzzle, gazes past camera. He is sitting on some grass surrounded by cage bars.
Chunky Monkey (ID#A640988) is a 5-year-old male Pit Bull mix. Chunky’s kind eyes match his easygoing and calm demeanor. He’s very loving and likes being around people. He’ll wag his tail as much as he can to show his appreciation of you being home to keep him company, too.
large tan dog with white chest looks out at camera. His tongue is hanging out.
Max (ID#A621523), a 5-year-old male German shepherd mix, is one happy dog! He loves to follow our lead volunteers around and enjoys the company of everyone he comes in contact with. He can’t wait to go home with you and look at you soulfully while you defrost an enchilada.

Best of all, if you keep a safe distance from others, all of these guys will get you out of the house for a little while. Heck, Governor Newsom said it was OK.

Until it’s safe to go frolic outside the home, the adoption/event columns will focus only on adoptions and not events—they’ve all been canceled or postponed. You can help the shelter and independent rescues stay functional by in-kind and monetary donations. Check the tail end of the article for websites of rescues and shelters.

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

Donations accepted for Pets of the Homeless

Remember—many people experiencing homelessness have pets, too, and they want to keep them safe and healthy.

Pets of the Homeless’ home page gives a self-description as the only organization focusing solely 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 a.m. to 11 a.m. Donations will be gratefully accepted at these locations as well.

Woman with short blonde hair and wearing a light-colored shirt and pants squats next to a black-and-white cattle dog mix in a background of flowering bushes.
Photo courtesy of Live Love Animal Rescue.

Adopt, adopt, adopt

The following pet-related businesses regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. Until further notice, adoptions are handled mainly by appointment. Click on the links for each rescue in case of updates or changes. Please suggest any Long Beach-area rescues to add to the list.