Best haunt ever!

If you’re going to the Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror Convention this weekend and you’re into cats, be sure to pop by the Black Cat Lounge. There, you can play with all the adoptable — repeat, adoptable — and scary-cute cats and kittens visiting there from the Los Angeles-based Kitten Rescue, an all-volunteer nonprofit. If things work out, you can take one or more home with you to wreak havoc in your dwelling.

After you emerge, enchanted, from the Lounge, you can visit with animal advocate Nathan the Cat Lady and check out his merch. The luxe, red Cat Lady and Cat Dad bathrobes feel like the velvety fur above a kitty’s nose.

Kitten Rescue took in its first foster in 1997 when founder Sue Romaine intercepted a 4-week-old kitten on its way to certain euthanasia at an LA shelter. She named him Jackpot, and he sure hit it. Since then, the nonprofit has adopted out over 35,000 cats, kittens and the occasional lucky dog, averaging over 2,000 every year.

Successful animal-rescue nonprofits like Kitten Rescue work hard to save lives and reduce the number of unwanted pets.

“Kitten Rescue’s mission is to rescue homeless cats and kittens from the streets and city shelters of Los Angeles, to rehabilitate them, and to place them in permanent homes,” their mission statement reads. “In doing this, we save cats from dying outdoors or being euthanized in LA city shelters.”

The cats stay with fosters or at the rescue’s sanctuary in Atwater Village. Cats who resist domestication and prefer to stage their own horror show for rats and mice find placement in areas where rodent control is needed. The organization provides TNVR (trap/neuter-spay/vaccinate/release) for community cats and teaches people how to trap and manage colonies. Their clinics provide spay/neuter services, and the organization’s website includes educational materials and articles about how to care for kittens and cats and maintain their health, the importance of spaying and neutering, and other topics worth batting around.

Last year, Kitten Rescue expanded its operations when they merged with Heaven on Earth Society for Animals. The increased number of staff and resources, operating under Kitten Rescue, will see more cats from neonatal to seniors getting spayed or neutered and cared for until they’re adopted. The addition of Heaven on Earth’s’ sanctuary, Perry’s Place as well as the Kitten Rescue Spay Neuter Clinic at the West Valley Animal Shelter provide a lot of added support.

“By combining our successful model of foster care, medical intervention and adoption services, we will be able to save more lives than ever before,” executive director Sandra Harrison and board chair Pam Allison wrote.

Keep Kitten Rescue in mind when you think of bringing home a cat or three, and if you’re taking in the Midsummer Horror Convention, drop by the Black Cat Lounge between the scary attractions. Petting the cats will lower your anxiety. You may even want to make it permanent.

YOURS DROOLY

When it comes to things that go bump in the night, no better way exists to haunt a house than to add a cat or two. Meet a few of the little haints from Kitten Rescue who want to sneak into your home and heart, and read what the volunteers say about them. See them and others at the Black Cat Lounge at the Midsummer Scream Convention. For the full gallery of ghoulie gatos and instructions for adoption, click here.

Nolan is always the first to say hello to new friends, winning over everyone with the most gorgeous green eyes you've ever seen! This handsome brown tabby is curious, chatty, playful, and great with kids and dogs. Nolan would be happiest as the only cat, where he can soak up all the attention and fill your days with fun, cuddles and endless charm.

Boby (affectionately known as Ms. Bobbi Flay) is a bundle of joy who was rescued alone from the streets as a young kitten. She has blossomed into a sprightly, friendly, outgoing kitty and would do best in a home with another kitten or a young cat that can match her energy. She loves to play, whether with people, another cat, or on her own, but she can also be quite docile and enjoys snuggling up on the couch or bed. She purrs like an engine at mealtimes or when given treats.

Tater Tot, the ginger fellow, is wanted across the Florida Panhandle for larceny, check fraud and grand-theft auto. He moved back in with his mom, Mrs. Marble, but now they're committing crimes together. With luck, a kind adopter will be able to reform these rapscallions into productive members of society. [The Head Kitty at Kitten Rescue said that they’re a bonded pair and should go to your house together.]

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Summer meeting of the Long Beach TNVR Community Cat Coalition

TNVR (trap/neuter-spay/vaccinate/return) providers and those interested in trapping community cats and fixing them will meet to share resources and learn about the latest developments in TNVR. Attendees will get updates from Officer Lindsie Merrick about Long Beach Animal Care Services’ as well as updates on our local low/no cost spay/neuter clinics, The Little Lion Foundation and Helen Sanders CatPAWS, and where to find low-cost vaccinations and vet services. It’s all part of our ongoing mission of helping community cats in the Long Beach area. There will also be a short trapping demonstration for both regular traps and drop-traps, so definitely try to make it if you are new to trapping! Access the Long Beach TNVRCCC website for the full picture.

The Long Beach TNVR Community Cat Coalition takes place Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m.–noon in the Education Room at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E Spring St., Long Beach at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors) 

Benny’s Birthday Bash and Love Your Pet Party

One more birthday! Benny the Cat is turning 9 years old 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.

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. 22 at 11 a.m. at the Bay Shore Church, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. No cost for the meeting.

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.