Benny the Cat's birthday celebrates survival of abuse

Benny the Cat will celebrate his ninth birthday on Saturday, Aug. 22 at a grand family event in Seal Beach (see Yours drooly for paw-ticulars). The party will be hosted by animal-rescue nonprofit Helen Sanders CatPAWS.

The little showoff even has his own song for the occasion!

It’s cause for celebration because if Benny hadn’t been brought to Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS), he probably wouldn’t have made it to his first birthday. A family member brought the little cat to LBACS about eight years ago. The cat had cracked ribs from being repeatedly squeezed, and he’d sustained a broken jaw when he was thrown against a shower wall. The poor cat was only 7 months old when he was brought in —how long the abuse had gone on, no one would say.

Enter CatPAWS board member Beverly Leifer. One look at the cat, and her heart fractured nearly as badly as his bones had. With the support of CatPAWS and LBACS, the kitty received life-saving treatment along with surgery from the LBACS veterinary staff and a specialist. He was held as evidence in a cruelty case for a few months; when he was sufficiently healed, Leifer took him home forever. She named him Benny after an uncle. You can read a more detailed story here.

Even after the surgery, Leifer was told that Benny might live only another three years. But here he is, turning 9 and slurping up Churu cat treats like no one’s business. Truly another great milestone for someone who persisted, with a lot of help from his friends.

Link between animal and human abuse

So many animals don’t get to escape their abusers, though, and neither do some of their human caregivers. The 5-year-old who came in with the family member had at first said that their mother’s boyfriend had hurt Benny. Later, when questioned further, the child inexplicably took back their accusation. The investigators couldn’t prove coercion, so the abuser never faced prosecution.

A downloadable informational manual published by spcaLA’s Animal Safety Net (ASN) program is a resource for animal shelters wanting to begin a shelter for pets of domestic-abuse survivors in their community. Anyone can download it for free, though — it provides a lot of useful information. The manual cites several studies on the correlation of animal abuse with abuse to human adults and children.

“Studies conducted by the FBI have shown a direct correlation between pet abuse and other forms of violence, both in the home and at school,” the manual reads. “Much of the research advocates that, in the best interest of both the pets and the human family members, pet abuse needs to be redefined as family violence.”

Anne (not her real name) is a survivor of domestic violence but isn’t sure whether her dog was a survivor.

“I was married to an abusive man in the early ’70s,” she said. “He totally controlled everything I did. I could not ‘loiter’ on the way home from work, or I'd risk his wrath. One day when I got home, our dog, Freedom, was gone, apparently punishment for something I ‘did.’ [My husband] refused to say what happened to Freedom, and I never learned.”

Anne said that she grew up in a loving household but was too embarrassed to tell anyone what she was experiencing.

“I grieved for my dog but feared for myself,” she said. “I could not fight him — I had neither the energy or the resources. In those days, husbands were ‘allowed to hit their wives,’ according to a cop I spoke with.”

The manual cited another study that indicated that children experiencing domestic violence at home are more likely to abuse pets.

“Since it is not realistic that a child would lash back at an abuser, the child is more likely to lash out at a younger sibling or a pet that is unable to fight back,” the manual read.

RedRover.org, a nonprofit dedicated to providing emergency shelter to animals and maintaining the bond between pets and people, cited statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (now The National Domestic Violence Hotline) that estimated that one in three women and one in four men experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetimes. Furthermore, 71% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet as a means of control.

The mindset around domestic abuse has evolved, and so has legal protection. People like Anne can be helped by two new laws that redefine animal abuse as part of family abuse. In 2025, Family code 6320 was amended to include section (b), which states that on a showing of good cause, the court may order an abuser to stay away from any animal under threat. The amendment prohibits the respondent from “taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, molesting, attacking, striking, threatening, harming, or otherwise disposing of the animal.”

Also in 2025, Senate Bill 221 was signed into law with the support of advocates like Social Compassion in Legislation. SB 221 expands the federal law against stalking to include a victim’s pet as a target of threatening behavior.

Copy the links to the laws and keep them somewhere on your device in case, may Heaven forfend, you or someone you know should need to use them.

Safe harbor for pets

A search through the internet yielded troubling statements from people who said they’d slept in their cars for months because they couldn’t find a shelter that would take their pets in, too. The National Domestic Violence Hotline reported that only 19% of domestic violence shelters accept pets. Because of this, RedRover.org and spcaLA have been working hard to find safe harbor for pets while their human family seeks shelter.

SpcaLA’s ASN offers temporary emergency housing so that men or women can leave an abusive home and go to a domestic violence shelter without fearing that their pets will be in danger. SpcaLA has locations in Hawthorne, Los Angeles and Long Beach. To apply for help, the applicant must:

• Have their own pet
• Be about to enter a shelter
• Have an advocate assigned by a domestic abuse shelter, an advocacy nonprofit or other qualified organizations

Contact 323-733‐0219 for information about ASN.

RedRover’s Safe Escape Grants help domestic abuse survivors board their pets up to 45 days while the survivor is in a shelter that doesn’t have housing for pets. The nonprofit also offers grants to domestic violence shelters so that they can create such programs. Shelters with pet-housing programs can be found through DomesticShelters.org's comprehensive directory, and further resources are listed on the Safe Escape Grant’s link.

“We empathize with those trying to escape abuse, and we want them to know that help exists for them and their pets,” said Katie Campbell, RedRover’s president and CEO. “No survivor should have to face this alone — support is out there to help them and their pets find safety and healing, together.”

As for Benny, it’s not entirely about him.

“I'm celebrating my birthday and good fortune, but not forgetting the animals who still suffer, be it from abuse, or sickness, or homelessness,” Benny “said” in an email he arguably dictated. “Please join me and my pals to raise awareness and hope for a better future. I promise you a day of fun, food and fondness in honor of me — BENNY! — and all the animals that are loved. Our goal is [to lead] from heartbreak to happiness.”

YOURS DROOLY

Benny’s birthday guests will include kittens who are happily staying and playing at foster homes but would love to go to a forever home where the only thing they’ll need to worry about is who’ll fish the catnip ball out from under the refrigerator, where they’ve knocked it.

Kittens are very good at self-advertising, but older cats don’t get looked at as often. Some of the ones who’ve found their way to Helen Sanders CatPAWS have had sad experiences — thankfully not as bad as Benny’s, but they all lived in homes and would love the forever stability of one.

Meet a few of the CatPAWS cats as described by their fond, fawning fosters. These people won’t be at the event because they’re grownups and prefer to stay with their fosters and play Scrabble. But you can arrange a meeting and help pick up the letter tiles from the floor. To adopt a CatPAWS cat or kitten and to see the whole kit and caboodle, follow this link!

Meredith has sad eyes and a gentle soul. Petite and delicate, she enjoys fuzzy blankets and being cozy. She lost her home when her previous adopter had to downsize their living arrangement. Meredith has been in a loving foster home for the last few months where she is healing her broken heart. She likes to play with toys and is learning to trust and accept love again. Meredith forms strong bonds; she has a loving heart and will make her adopter feel very special.

Meet Flame, the biggest cuddle bug around! This sweet, gentle guy has a tiny, high‑pitched meow that melts hearts, and he’s absolutely obsessed with wand toys. He does have one quirk: he sometimes tries to eat things he shouldn’t. Because of that, he needs a family who can keep his environment safe and tidy. In return, he'll give you endless affection and companionship. His adopter will also receive a complete starter kit (carrier, litter box, litter, scoop, bowls, fountain, food, toys, blanket) to help him feel at home from day one. If you love ending your day curled up with a warm, affectionate companion, Flame is your guy.

Mayhem may have a wild name, but she's a gentle, loving little girl at heart. She can be a bit shy when meeting new people, but with a little patience, her sweet and affectionate personality quickly begins to shine. Mayhem loves playing with her feline friends, but she's just as happy entertaining herself by batting a spring toy across the floor in an energetic game of chase. Once she feels safe and comfortable, she'll reward you with love, playful antics and quiet companionship. Mayhem is looking for a forever family who will give her the time she needs to blossom into the wonderful companion she's meant to be.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Pet Loss and Illness Support Group

The worst day in the life you share with a pet is the day you have to say goodbye forever. Grief is personal on the one hand, and on the other hand, you have a lot of company who get what you’re going through. Helen Sanders CatPAWS rescue gets it, too, and offers a space for anyone who also gets it, who’ll never say to you, “But it was just a cat.” Or a dog, or a rabbit, or a horse, or a goldfish. The members of this group will listen, connect, and support you, and you’ll do the same for them.

The Pet Loss and Illness Support Group takes place Saturday, Aug. 15 at 11 a.m. at the Bay Shore Church, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. No cost for the meeting.

Benny’s Birthday Bash and Love Your Pet Party

One more birthday! Benny the Cat is turning 9 in August! That’s reason for celebration because the shelter vets didn’t expect him to make it past 3. Benny survived horrific abuse as a kitten with the combined help of LBACS, Helen Sanders CatPAWS and the profound love of his adoptive mom, Bev, who fell hopefully in love at first sight.

Celebrate Benny and every pet we’ve shared a good life with at a pawsome party featuring music, games, raffles that include a pair of JetBlue tickets, adoptable kittens and dogs (whee!), face painting, vendors, arts and crafts, and a big, cat-face birthday cake! Tickets are just $20 each and include entertainment, activities and lunch! Kids 12 and under are free. Celebrate Benny and the lives he’s impacted, the adversity he overcame, and his special bond with so many fellow pet lovers and humans all over the world who are living their best lives after surviving abuse.

Benny the Cat’s Birthday Party takes place Saturday, Aug. 22, 11 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at Seal Beach Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Dr., Seal Beach. Tickets are $20 (kids 12 and under are free as Benny’s special guests) and are available here.

Paws, Pours & Piano Wars

Celebrate 11 years of rescue with K9 Kismet! Enjoy an evening spent making a difference for rescue dogs, featuring delicious food, cocktails, raffles and performances by the incredible Killer Dueling Pianos. Every ticket purchased helps K9 Kismet continue to save homeless dogs and give them the second chance they deserve. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance, so get yours here!

Paws, Paws and Piano Wars takes place Saturday, Aug. 29, 6 p.m.–9 p.m., At the Top, 105 West Broadway, Long Beach. Tickets $75, donations welcome

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.