Meet Amanda Barajas, Long Beach Animal Care Services' new face of dog fostering

Among the many ways to help pets and the humans displaced by the California wildfires is fostering a shelter pet.

“When we’re completely full, and we send dogs to foster, it opens up another space for the dogs who come in,” said Amanda Barajas, Long Beach Animal Care Services’ dog-foster coordinator. “When people lose their pets, they end up here, too.

In emergencies caused by disasters like the wildfires, municipal shelters and rescues often board people’s animals. If the shelter is already stuffed to the hindquarters with pets, fostering a few of them can open kennels for disaster refugees. Pasadena Humane is doing that now, and Best Friends Animal Society just accepted 17 of that shelter’s resident pets into their West LA Pet Adoption Center. LBACS hasn’t yet been contacted for emergency housing, but they have in the past and likely will in the future.

Besides, it’s nice to give an animal a break from the kennels and enjoy a cozy home for a while. It also eases overcrowding in any situation. As a shelter for four municipalities — Long Beach, Signal Hill, Los Alamitos and Cerritos, LBACS takes in a goodly number of pets, and those kennels fill up, particularly with dogs.

“Fostering helps a lot, especially when we’re really full,” Barajas said.

LBACS didn’t have a foster program until 2021, when strategic plan that came out of a lengthy shelter audit identified fostering as an element that would create good outcomes for shelter pets. The program is a focus of shelter bureau director Melanie Wagner, who recently hired Barajas as a full-time dog-foster coordinator. Carol Reyes, the foster coordinator, had been doing double duty placing both cats and dogs — she now coordinates kitties only.

Barajas has nearly 10 years of experience in animal rescue, particularly with high-volume spay/neuter with the ASPCA. She described the fostering process, which also includes rescue and adoption, as involving reviewing foster applications, sending the appropriate animal home with the appropriate human, spay/neutering and vaccinations, and taking care of any medical needs and transports.

“Sometimes, we place dogs with medical issues into medical fostering,” Barajas said. “Anything that comes up medically, the foster will do offsite.”

Since her hiring in August 2024, Barajas has managed foster placement of 43 dogs.

“They go into foster, get spayed or neutered because we have those resources now, and then get adopted, transported, or sent to rescue as efficiently as possible so we can keep that flow going,” Barajas said.

Efficiency of the fostering process is one of Barajas’ focuses for the program’s development.

“Right now, I’m trying to streamline the process,” she said. “Before we had a full-time foster coordinator, some things were drawn out way longer than they had to be. You can walk in and adopt a dog the same day — you should be able to foster a dog the same day, too.”

What makes the program really work, of course, are people who want to help an animal socialize in a home situation — some of them have never experienced a safe environment. Several shelter volunteers foster, but volunteer status isn’t necessary for application to the program.

To apply, the person opens an account on the website and completes the application, and then Barajas will add the applicant’s name to the program’s email list. When she puts out a call for a foster, the applicants will receive an email. Barajas considers types of animals and fostering situations that the applicant specifies on the application, for example, medical fosters or bottle-feeding newborns.

I asked Barajas how many “foster fails,” — people who fall in love with their fosters and adopt them — she’s experienced so far as a dog-foster coordinator.

“Quite a few!” she said, laughing. “But then, I’ve seen a lot of adoptions, too. The quicker you get the animals adopted, the more the people don’t foster-fail, and then they’ll foster again. So yes, there are foster fails, and there are recurring fosters.”

All foster pets are listed on the shelter’s website, with a designation identifying them as in foster placement.

“When someone puts in an inquiry, I coordinate with the foster to arrange an in-person meetup,” Barajas said.

But the website doesn’t give foster dogs as much visibility as the kennel residents, so Barajas invites fosters to bring their dogs on weekends to hang out in the kennels near the offices. If the dogs don’t get adopted during that time, they’ll go back to their foster home.

If you’d like to try fostering a pet, you’ll do a lot of good. You’ll make room for another pet in the kennels. Your feet will be warm at night. If you’ve been wondering whether a pet would fit into your life, you’ll find out firsthand, with no strings attached — a leash, maybe, or whatever the cat decides to play with, but no obligation to adopt. But yes, you can adopt, or just be the best substitute teacher ever for a dog or a cat.

Any questions you have about it, Amanda Barajas will be at the shelter on selected days, usually weekends, to answer them. Look for her at the foster pop-up on the LBACS campus.

YOURS DROOLY

Fostering an animal, especially an LBACS dog, has among its goals the opportunity for a pet to escape the confines of kennel life, increasing their adoptability through experiencing a “normal life,” being able to provide accurate information about how pets will do under certain home circumstances — do they like walks? will they hide under the bed? can they live happily with kids or other pets? —the freeing of kennels for more unwanted pets, and, of course, the not-really-secret agenda of hoping for a foster fail.

The last goal, however, isn’t obligatory if you want to foster. If you do, whether it’s bottle-feeding orphaned kittens or giving a big dog a big break from the kennel, fill out the application here. You’ll love it, the pet’ll love it, and the volunteers will hug you, whether you like it or not.

You’ll find LBACS’ adoptable animals here. Click on the “Submit interest” button in the adoption fee box, or email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov. Include the pet’s name and ID number.

Here are three dogs who are living the life, albeit temporarily. Want to make it permanent?

Zoey (ID#A717007) Zoey is a medium-energy lab mix who’s been at our shelter since March 2024. She enjoys squeaky toys, walks, and cuddling on the couch but is also happy to hang out on her own. Zoey is quick on her feet and loves a good chase! She walks well on a leash and is a loyal, loving companion. Zoey would do best in a calm, quiet home with regular playtime. If you’re looking for a dependable, doting companion, Zoey is the one for you!

Rusty (ID# A713324) is a year old — and he’s been at the shelter for a year! That means that until up to a little while ago, this lab mix has known only a kennel as his home. He knows different now — he’s found that there are couches to curl up on, quiet places to relax in, and the most wondrous places to walk! He’s always been a joyful fellow with a tail that never stops wagging, but now he knows how happy a dog can be in a forever, loving home. Rusty’s playful, loves cuddles, and is a kiss-giving machine! He knows basic commands like “sit” and “shake,” and he listens well, making him a smart and well-behaved companion.

Pepper (ID#A725680) was only 4 months old when she was tied up in the middle of the night at a fire station. The little girl was frightened nearly to death when they found her that morning and called LBACS to come get her, because she didn’t trust even the firefighters to rescue her! Now, six months later, Pepper is sassy, playful, high energy and super-smart! She’s also affectionate and outgoing once she gets over her initial shyness. LBACS volunteers have potty-, crate- and leash-trained her, and she loves splashing in the water and playing ball. Her fosters said that Pepper will make a great hiking buddy. She’ll sure season your life!

LBACS 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).

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Best Friends opens pet pantries for families affected by the wildfires

As part of continued relief efforts, Best Friends has supported the activation of two Pet Pantry locations in Los Angeles that can provide essential supplies that include pet food, cat litter, pet beds and human sanitary products. Both pantries are open daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m., no appointment required. The hubs are operating out of the following locations: 

Best Friends Pet Adoption Center, 1845 Pontius Ave., Los Angeles. Available supplies: dog food (wet and dry), cat food (wet and dry), cat and dog treats, cat and dog toys, pet beds and blankets, cat Litter, puppy pee pads, litter pans, cardboard cat carriers and grooming supplies

Best Friends Clinic, 17411 Chatsworth St, Suite #100, Granada Hills. Available supplies: Pet: dog food (wet and dry), cat food (wet and dry), cat and dog treats, cat and dog toys, pet beds and blankets, collars, leashes, harnesses, cat litter, puppy pee pads, litter pans, litter scoops, and cardboard cat carriers. Human: blankets, water bottles and jugs, aluminum water bottles, deodorant, baby wipes, disinfecting wipes, toiletries, snacks and drinks, and socks

Donations accepted here.

Free winter community-cat-shelter workshop

Community cats, the free-roaming felines who likely don’t have a safe home to go to, face all kinds of dangers year-round. During the colder months, they need a solid, warm place to curl up, and even during warmer months, ducking into a small area to escape predators gives them the safety they need. Cool Cat Collective is inviting caring community members of any age to help build solid cubbies and shelters, which will be donated to cat colonies in Long Beach and Compton.

Materials include pieces of Styrofoam, Styrofoam coolers, 18–30 gallon plastic storage tubs and lids, straw (NOT hay), duct tape, small empty plastic flowerpots, Sharpies, box cutters and hair dryers. Any donations or loans, particularly of Sharpies, box cutters and hair dryers, will be appreciated. Please RSVP here so that the organizers will know how many participants to expect. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The workshop takes place Sunday, Jan. 12, 3 p.m.–5 p.m. at Cool Cat Collective, 2741 E. 4th St., C, Long Beach.

Drag Bingo Tea Party & Show

You’ll be gobsmacked by The Little Lion Foundation’s latest fundraiser! Do take a spot of tea and enjoy the antics of Long Beach’s very own drag royalty, Mia Anastasia Farrow, as she tells you just what the tea is! Begin with brunch, of course, which includes tea cakes both savory and sweet, fruit, quiche, and of course, wine, mimosas and beer, for pub crawlers.

Local artisans will hawk their wares in a virtual Petticoat Lane, and a caricature artist will memorialize your lovely mug. Finally, Ms. Farrow and Robbie will have your number, all right, during five barmy bingo rounds, along with an inimitable show. Don your cat ears and have a larf, which we all truly need right now.

Drag Bingo Tea Party & Show takes place Sunday, Jan. 19, 11 p.m.–3 P.M. at the new Sports Basement Long Beach, 2100 North Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Tickets start at $35.46. All information and ticket sales available here.

Low-Cost Vaccine Clinics at Long Beach Animal Care Services

Make a new year’s resolution to keep your pet healthy! Veterinary visits can be expensive, so Long Beach Animal Care Services and Community Animal Medicine Project (CAMP) have teamed up to provide humans and their furry companions with low-cost vaccines. Anyone, whether you live in Long Beach or do not, is welcome. No appointment is necessary, but get there early because the clinic is open to the first 60 pets. All dogs must be on a leash, and all cats must be in carriers. Please bring your pet’s previous vaccine records. Price list and types of vaccines are available here.

The low-cost vaccine clinics take place Mondays and alternate Fridays, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St. (at entrance to El Dorado Park), Long Beach. No parking fee for shelter visitors. The full calendar for clinics is available here.

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