red tablecloth that says "Fix Long Beach" with a red-and-white pattern above it, and dogs in cage kennels on table.
Speaking of spay/neuter, Fix Long Beach came hand-in-paw with dog rescue Sparky and the Gang. Other demonstrations included a pack walk with the Blockhead Brigade and an honor from Councilmember Cindy Allen to the K9 Brigade. They were working there sub rover. Photo by Kate Karp

This past Saturday and Sunday, over 4,000 animal lovers converged on Marina Green Park to attend the second annual Long Beach Summer Pet Adoption & Craft Fair. The weather was lovely the entire weekend—not a minute of dog-day heat.

Three animal organizations—The Little Lion Foundation, The Cat Cove and Long Beach Animal Care Services—stacked together a furry funfest of vendors catering to cats, dogs and humans; presentations and demonstrations; information tables; an enormous selection of raffle prizes; and every rescue within barking distance. There were way too many organizations and rescues to list or photos to post, and that’s a good thing.

Everyone who came seemed to think that the gnarly parking conditions were well worth dealing with to walk their dogs (and at least one cat) around the greenbelt and shop, learn about spay/neuter and pack walks, network with other rescuers, treat their pets to goodies, participate in contest and raffles, and meet adoptable cats and dogs and possibly take one or two home. As one attendee put it, it was a much-needed in-person-to-animal connection.

And for some, that connection will last forever; a total of 39 cats and 14 dogs were adopted over the two-day fair.

Here are some photos from the festivities.

woman bends over to chuck the chin of a small black and white dog
Even people with cats and dogs at home got their pet fix at the Pet Fair. Photo by Kate Karp
two little dogs touch noses with their humans looking on. Pet merchandise tables in background.
Friendships were forged at the fair. The people got along real good, too. Photo by Kate Karp
Little Lion Foundation booth
The Little Lion Foundation was one of the three organizers at the fair. Photo by Kate Karp
Table cover saying "FOLBA," meaning Friends of Long Beach Animals, outdoors in a grassy area
Animal organizations like Best Friends and civic chapters like the Signal Hill Rotary Club and the city of Long Beach came to lend support. But it wouldn’t be a Long Beach pet event without FOLBA, or Friends of Long Beach Animals, the city’s most venerable animal organization in existence. Photo by Kate Karp
raffle table with a yellow table cloth
Two days worth of prizes and ticket selling kept Cat Cove volunteers busy. Photo by Kate Karp
two young women each hold an orange cat
These two young women are convinced that orange cats are special. Kitties can be adopted from Jellicle Cats Rescue Foundation. Photo by Kate Karp
Brown husky with "adopt me."
Hollywood Huskies came with  their candidates, who bore their own advertising. Photo by Kate Karp
big clown-face tent full of orange balls and one orange cat, with a black cat looking on. A cat tunnel is nearby.
Wherever you find Jellicle Cats Rescue, you’ll also find a combination of a funhouse and Halloween. With cats. Photo by Kate Karp
young woman with a dog on a leash stopped by the food truck.
There was even a food truck for pets. Woof It Up offered stuff that was good and good for dogs and cats. I took home a couple of bottles of Pinot Meow–a heady combo of beet juice and catnip tea. Photo by Kate Karp
woman holding dog wearing "Please do not pet."
When you see a dog wearing a vest saying, “Do not pet,” it means do not pet. The dog is at work shielding their human from trouble. Photo by Kate Karp
big white van saying "Snips Ahoy", with an ocean wave on it and people standing around.
Helen Sanders CatPAWS brought their new spay/neuter van, which will go into use to bring more low-cost procedures to Long Beach and the surrounding areas. “We can’t keep up with that firehose of unwanted litters coming in,” said CatPAWS cofounder Deborah Felin-Magaldi. “Spay/neuter will turn down that firehose.” Photo by Kate Karp.
a brown dog in slippers lies next to a white dog in slippers
Ready for the best time ever at the Pet Fair. Photo by Kate Karp
whiteboard with the word ADOPTIONS in colored letters, plus writing that said that 39 cats and 14 dogs were adopted.
And at the end of the literal day, 53 pets made that connection—39 cats and 14 dogs went home over the weekend. Hope it’s as forever as it gets. Photo by Kate Karp
squatty little gray/brown pitbull smiles at camera.
“I had a ball! I chased a few, too!” —Keora, pet fair patron. Photo by Kate Karp