Virtually pets

Well, happy new year. Or approximation thereof. Whether you celebrated saying “Good riddance” to 2020 at a virtual party or concert or stayed home in your holiday flannel jammies in front of the screen watching the ball drop to obliterate the old year at midnight EST so you could go to bed early, we hope that next New Year’s Eve will be more fun than quarantining with a barrel of monkeys.

There weren’t many silver linings to 2020, but one of them was the number of humans who decided that since they’re at home for what’s probably going to be a long time, they need company. So they adopted a cat , a dog or a rabbit—sometimes, more than one. They then discovered that taking care of a pet isn’t as time consuming as they thought it would be in the old normal and that the benefits, particularly the ones involving unconditional love, far outweigh the cost.

In Long Beach, as in other cities and towns, adopters and rescues virtually drained the shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services when the pandemic obliged it to close to the public—it remains closed for the time being, but you can still make an appointment to adopt a pet through their adoption portal. Rescues adopted in record numbers; Helen Sanders CatPAWS and The Little Lion Foundation both capped 400 as of Dec. 31, and they were still going.

I thought it would be fun to contact rescues to see if they had any black-and-white pets to set off the new year theme of tux and tails, and enough of them came through to fill the Regent Room at the Queen Mary. In fact, three of them who were submitted Monday went to their new homes the next day! The pets in the following photos got all dressed up in their glad waggy rags in hope that they’d have something to celebrate. They’ll let you, the potential adopter and best friend forever, provide the bling on their collars, the noshes on their platters, toys to play with and a warm place to sleep, likely on the pillow next to yours or on your back.

No one’s quite sure what 2021 is going to be like, but at the very least, these pets, all dressed up and nowhere to go—yet—may have a good year.

Each of these pets is from a different rescue or shelter, each spayed or neutered and otherwise vetted. To adopt any of them, read the bios and contact the rescue. To see all the cats and dogs—why limit yourself to black-and-white when pet colors go with everything?—investigate the list of links under “Adopt, adopt, adopt.”

black cat with black goatee and white chest and big blue bowtie looks at camera.
Zigzag arrived at House of Broken Cookies with his sister six long years ago. Sis has long since found her forever home, but Zigzag is still waiting. As you can see, he’s dressed handsomely for the occasion in his spats and bow tie, forgoing the top hat and monocle. Zigzag is shy at first and isn’t a lapcat, but he’s certainly a pillow cat. He loves a snuggle in bed, and his loud purr will lull you to sleep. He loves his toys, especially the ball-in-the-track, and also enjoys being pet, having belly rubs and being brushed. Zigzag would do well with another cat to bring him out of his shell but could also be fine as an only cat. He would also do better in a quieter home, without young children. Contact [email protected] for more information about Zigzag.

 

black bunny with white chest and legs sits on a zebra-striped blanket, head turned to the right.
Bailey is a beautiful, sweet little lionhead mix, looking for her forever home. She needs a quiet place where she has lots of room to run around and explore. She’s a little shy, so someone with time and patience to spend with her would be perfect. Go to bunnybunch.org to fill out an adoption application and to BunnyBunchBoutique to buy supplies.

 

Black German shepherd mix sits in front of a green blanket in a car trunk. The dog has a white chest and her tongue is hanging out.
Ah, once in love with Amy … Beautiful Amy is a 2-year-old German shepherd weighing about 65 pounds. She’s a smart young girl who is starting to learn that—oh, OK! There are a few rules I need to follow (rules that probably weren’t in place before)! Amy is already crate trained and house trained. She has so much potential, but she still needs structure, routine and guidance for how to direct her energy to positive things! Luckily, she’s intelligent and perceptive, so she listens and responds quickly to what you want her to do (or not do!). We can’t wait to see her find her dream home and become a happy, well-adjusted and settled pup! Please visit www.liveloveanimalrescue.org to fill out an adoption application for Amy.

 

black-and-white cat with green eyes, white mask and chest and a pink collar stares at the camera. A woman is holding her.
Here’s pretty Penelope. She about 3 years old. She had kittens six months ago. Penelope showed up in El Dorado Park when she was full term with a litter of kittens, which she had six months ago in her Long Beach Spay and Neuter Foundation foster home. Sadly, only two of the six kittens made it, possibly because of the diseases that Penelope may have come into contact during her pregnancy. One of the kittens was born with severe cerebellar hypoplasia, but despite his wonky walk is about to be adopted. This leaves poor Mama waiting for her chance at a forever home. Inquire about any needs that Penelope may have at [email protected] if you’d like to take her home.

 

Beautiful black cat and white spot on chest lies on a colorful bedspread on a sleigh bed.
Momma Margaret came to her foster as part of a TNR project, but the kitty trappers saw hope for her and her kits to be socialized and set up for adoption. Months have gone by, and Momma has decided that humans are great napping buddies. She is a purr machine and takes treats ever so gently from your hand. She is great with other cats and is amenable to dogs, too. Momma Margaret is approximately 1 ½ years old, fully vetted and available for adoption She’s at a Zazzy Cats rescue foster—contact [email protected] or [email protected] to meet her.

 

charcoal-gray tuxedo cat with white mask, chest and paws; a black nose; and the tip of his tongue sticking out meat-loafs on a tan blanket against a blue wall.
Nanner nanner boo boo! Domino’s little pink tongue looks as if it’s tantalizing you to chase him around the room until he screeches to a halt and goes after you and whatever dangly toy you’re holding. Domino’s about 6 months old—he loves to explore and play. He’s at another Zazzy Cat foster. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to meet him.

 

cat with black ears, top of head, black saddle and white face and body lies on carpeted surface and looks into camera. He has a black spot on the right of his pink nose.
This is Slim, and he’s 6 years old. Slim had a slim chance of survival when he arrived at Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC) dirty, scared, and full of fleas. When the veterinarians examined him, they also found anemia and a blood infection. The SBACC volunteers worked hard to get him into shape—after some feline-y setbacks, Slim finally came around and realized that his “captors” were actually his friends. Slim’s street life also stuck him with the feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, which leaves cats vulnerable to other infections. However, cats with FIV can live long, healthy lives as long as the companion human monitors any secondary illnesses. FIV-positive cats can also live with non-FIV-positive cats as long as neither is aggressive and there is no danger of a deep bite, which can spread the disease. Slim has been living in the common room for some time and gets along great with his roomies. He’d do well with a cat buddy, and he’s also become comfier with people, He’s now a lapcat and is looking forward to his forever home! Slim’s adoption fee has been paid by a generous sponsor! If you are interested in meeting Slim, send an email to [email protected].

 

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 on Jan. 28. “We are so sad that we have to share this disappointing news during this holiday season,” reads 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. Registration information available here.

 Bulldog-themed safety-mask preorder: Southern California Bulldog Rescue, $11 each

What better way to protect yourself and others from those coronavirus cooties than with a faithful bulldog guardian at the gate! They’re 2-ply non-medical grade protection that feel good and comfy. They’re also hand-washable. Best of all, these whimsical wearables support Southern California Bulldog Rescue! Order them here.

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) 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:

White bucket holding cat food and dog biscuits
Photo by Mona Ueda

 

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

tuxedo cat with tipped ear sits in kennel near a window.

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., 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.