Long Beach shelter to resume its volunteer-recruitment program
A newly hired volunteer coordinator said she plans to bring more organization and clarity to LBACS.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS),” Cory Noble said. “They assist with cleaning and caring for the animals, support the medical department, work directly with animals on behavioral needs and socialization, and pour their compassion into every animal that comes through our doors. LBACS would not be able to accomplish all that we do without the dedication and support of our incredible volunteers!”
Noble is LBACS new volunteer coordinator. She joined the staff a couple of weeks ago after the departure of Matt Yniguez, the previous coordinator, for a new position. This pawsed the volunteer-recruitment program for a few months while shelter management went on a dogged search for a hire for the position.
Noble came to LBACS with cat’s-meow creds (OK, I’ll stop). She’s homegrown Long Beach and has lived with pets her entire life. Her work and volunteer experience include fostering, bottle-feeding neonatal kittens, working as a certified dog trainer and dog bather, managing a pet hotel and grooming salon, and participating in what she described as “the largest cockfighting ring bust in U.S. history.” When she’s not working with and for animals, she tends her garden and creates oversize props for her 12-foot skeleton, Large Marge.
“From dogs and cats to hamsters, rabbits and reptiles, animals have always been my passion,” Noble said. “[Now,] as volunteer coordinator, it's my job to scout and onboard new volunteers, conduct training sessions, act as the primary point of contact for all volunteers, and ensure that everyone feels supported.”
Noble said that, along with her extensive experience in the animal area, she hopes to bring more organization and clarity to the volunteer program.
“I've worked as a project manager in my past, so I'm always looking for ways to streamline and enhance processes,” she said.
The volunteer-application process will go live around Dec. 1, so access this link periodically if you want to apply. Once training sessions are available, staff will email you for scheduling.
“We have non-animal-handling duties such as laundry, distributing toys and washing dishes as well as opportunities for direct, hands-on interaction with our adoptable dogs and cats,” Noble said. “We welcome anyone who would like to offer a couple hours of their time — any experiences and handling levels are welcome!”
Volunteering at LBACS combines hard work, love and fun. You’ll also experience the bittersweet, bluesy joy of waving goodbye to a pet you’ve helped socialize for weeks or months as they leave the shelter with their new family. Memories like these might come up as you do:
“I'm thrilled to have joined such a strong, compassionate team of individuals at Long Beach Animal Care Services, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish together!” Noble said.
We can’t wait, either! Keep checking out this link for the next couple of weeks, and apply to volunteer!
YOURS DROOLY
Thought you might want to meet some of the pets-in-waiting at LBACS. You’ll meet them in person when you sign up to volunteer if they haven’t already gone home. If you want to be their forever friend yourself, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov, call 562-570-4925, or click the info link on each pet’s name. Access this link to see all the LBACS pets, or better yet, meet them in person! You can chat with the volunteers! Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors).
Ever thought of getting a Bentley? Here’s one waiting for you to pick up the leash! Bentley is a 2-year-old mellow mastiff, who volunteers say is a dream to drive- — um, walk. She’s nonreactive to other dogs, and loves to hang with the humans. She’ll love joining you in front of the TV or helping you in the garden.Bentley came to LBACS with a leg problem but got help from our vet and behaved beautifully during procedures. Other than a slight limp, she has absolutely no performance or behavioral issues — she’s just one big expression of love, be it for treats or people!
In the words of volunteer Janet, “if you want to fall in love, please come to the shelter to meet Strawberry.” Strawberry is a 5-year-old brown tabby with big, gold eyes. She's been at LBACS for more than a few months suffering from acute stomatitis, which causes painful inflamed gums and mouth sores. The tough girl just had a full-mouth extraction and is on medication to soothe her pain. She eats only wet food now, but she enjoys the occasional dry-food snack. Janet said that now that the troublesome chompers are out, “her eyes and fur seem brighter, her purr is louder — ever hear a boat motor? — and she is very affectionate!” Strawberry still needs a couple of weeks to heal and may need ongoing medication for stomatitis management. She’s also FIV-positive, an immunodeficiency disorder. By itself, the disease wouldn’t necessarily limit Strawberry’s lifespan, but with her oral challenges, she’ll need special care. Strawberry’s on the shelter’s Emergency List because of this, but you can save her by adopting or fostering her. The volunteers will give you lots of support.
Jasper’s black coat is as shiny and glossy as his namesake gem. However, he’s a diamond in the rough — or is that ruff? Like many Labrador retrievers, Jasper is friendly, energetic and playful. However, he overdoes it when he interacts with other dogs. He needs a patient human who will teach him about boundaries and how to channel his enthusiasm. Volunteers agree that Jasper will be a gem of a companion!
TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS
Danbury Bulldog Christmas raffle
Now, you just know you want this. SoCal Bulldog Rescue is having what they’re calling a short raffle window — like enter before tomorrow — for a chance to win this retired Danbury Mint English bulldog lighted Christmas family tree, festooned with bows, a bone garland and seven working lights. All the doggies on the tree are appropriately wrinkled and jowled, and although the original star is missing, a replacement is included. The original Danbury Mint box and Styrofoam packing material are also included. Access this link for instructions for entering. Enter before Nov. 14. Even if the bulldog family tree doesn’t match your esthetic, your entry will help save the lives of real bulldogs!
Keep your eye out for more SoCal Bulldog Rescue holiday raffles!
Whiskers in Wonderland Gala
November is the month for festive, glittery events, and animals have their share of galas in their honor! Little Lion Foundation’s Whiskers in Wonderland Gala is such an event — an evening dedicated to celebrating the nonprofit’s rescue and veterinary programs that save the lives of cats and kittens. It’s a heck of a fun way to fundraise for them, too! Guests will enjoy casino games, a DJ and dancing, a sit-down dinner, a silent auction and a raffle. And kittens, too, of course! If you can’t make it, there’s an online silent auction to help support the event! Herd some cat people and come celebrate!
Whiskers in Wonderland takes place Sunday, Nov. 15., 5 p.m. at The Reef on the Water, 880 S. Harbor Scenic Dr., Long Beach. Buy tickets here.
Pet Loss and Illness Support Group monthly meeting
If you’re grieving the death of a pet or are feeling anticipatory grief for one who’s ill, Helen Sanders Cat Paws invites you to a safe space to share your grief. Here, CatPAWS’ cofounder Deborah Felin-Magaldi describes her connection with grief over the loss of a pet whose life she shared:
“Does anyone remember the song ‘Mr. Bojangles’? A line from it hit me even when I was young when I first heard it and already knew the loss of a childhood cat. It has stayed with me ever since: ‘He spoke with tears of 15 years how his dog and him traveled about. His dog up and died, He up and died. After 20 years, he still grieves.'”
On the third Saturday of each month, you can share your grief over your loved pets in any way that feels right: tell stories, show photos, even laugh at funny memories. This support group is a safe place for you — everyone in the group has been there and may still be there.
This month’s Pet Loss and Illness Support Group takes place Saturday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m.–noon at the Bayshore Church, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach.
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.
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