Saving a pet from the shelter's 'sad lists'

When Santa makes his list and checks it twice, I hope that he goes over a couple of other lists. He’ll find them at Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS).

LBACS takes in dogs, cats, bunnies and any animal turned in, abused, found wandering or in distress. One of the principles in the shelter’s Compassion Saves policy is compliance with “the state law (California Food and Agriculture Code 17005) regarding animal care and the values of saving every life that is treatable … through innovative programming.”

The concerted effort by shelter staff and volunteers to keep all healthy pets alive and eventually fostered and rehomed has been successful, especially since the projects have become highly visible to the public through social media and events. But as the city’s municipal shelter, LBACS also continuously takes in unwanted, injured, abused and sometimes large numbers of hoarded pets. This often leads to overcrowding and a scramble for space to house the pets.

Dr. Melanie Wagner, the shelter’s director, emphasizes that LBACS will not euthanize an animal for space, and this has led to staff members and volunteers going beyond compassion — they love every animal in every kennel — to develop the necessary, innovative programming to save lives. Efforts include outreach to rescues, specialized medical care, Fido Field Trips, training partnerships, participation in working cats programs, and a recent partnership with a rescue, which yielded The DIESEL Project.

This is in no way an exhaustive listing. The ongoing programs have seen a lot of pets go home, but some animals are left waiting so long for adoption that they develop severe stress and behavioral issues.

“Sadly, there are times that the need for a dog to get adopted or fostered becomes critical,” dog volunteer Susan said. “It may be due to advanced medical needs or that they're continuing to struggle in a shelter environment despite the best efforts to improve their quality of life.”

This is true especially for dogs. If a dog stays too long in a kennel and is stressed to the point of not recovering, euthanasia is often the last resort. When it does, any staff member or volunteer who has spent time with the pet grieves for their lost buddy.

To alert the adoption team and staff about which pets may have a limited time in the shelter in the worst possible way, the staff updates and sends two lists to the team: the Emergency List, formerly referred to as the Red List; and the Urgent List, which used to be called the At-Risk List. The Emergency List includes pets who have euthanasia dates set for them if they don’t go to an adopter or a rescue; the Urgent List has pets who don’t have dates set but have been flagged for extra help and attention from staff and volunteers because of medical or behavioral concerns, or both.

The animals on the shelter’s adoption page are generally displayed in order of their arrival at LBACS, with the longest stays first, so if you want to help get a pet off the sad lists in the best way possible, click the link. You’ll get information about them from a volunteer, and if you decide to take any of them home or even foster them, that cat, dog or bunny will be guaranteed at least a merry Christmas, or whatever you celebrate.

Volunteer Susan selected these three dogs who have set dates for euthanasia:

Eleanor, a senior with medical issues, has her date immediately pending.

So does Manning, who Susan said “needs a Hail Mary right now for sure.”

Zoey’s date comes up in a week. She loves people and is experiencing severe anxiety and kennel stress stemming from a lack of human contact.

“These dogs need heroes now, and this time of year, perhaps a little holiday magic to find their happily-ever-afters," Susan said.

YOURS DROOLY

Just last week, volunteers put together another project ostensibly created to show the public how adorable shelter pets are, but I’m guessing that it was done at least as much out of love for them and to give them a neat time. Santa Claus was invited to the shelter by a volunteer named Bob who had a relative living near the North Pole. Led by volunteer Ricky, everyone decorated the shelter grounds and turned it into a yappin’ Yuletide fantasy. Volunteer Stephanie handled logistics, and elves got off the shelves and kept order.

Santy arrived at the shelter, parked his nine tiny reindeer — he had to get up a couple of times to ward off overeager visitors bent on adopting them — and sat down with the pups and kitties to see what they wanted for Christmas. Oddly, they all asked for the same thing — a forever home. Oh, Ravioli asked for a pony, too.

Each of these three doggies is on the Urgent List. Make holiday hopes come true for these doggies or for any pet on LBACS’ adoption page. Email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov to adopt or foster anyone. You can also call 562-570-4925. Better yet, come in person, and bring that holiday gift coupon with you if you’re bringing along someone who wants a furry buddy for a holiday gift.

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).

Little Staffie mix Ravioli (ID#A750883) is sitting by Santa’s boots thinking whether she wants anything other than to settle into a warm home full of cuddlers. Ravioli is only a year old, and if she’s at all saucy, that sauce is on the sweet side. Her ears need some extra attention.

“Owwwwww, howly niiiiight!” Sandy (ID#A752880), a 5-year-old cane corso, decided to serenade Santa and the elves with a Christmas carols to express thanks. Besides her vocal talent, Sandy’s a survivor. She came to LBACS with head trauma and severe mobility issues after being hit by a vehicle. Her condition seemed grim, said a staff member, but she showed signs of recovery within a day! Sandy had a microchip, but her owners decided not to redeem her, despite offers of resources for vet care. Now, she depends on love and attention from staff and volunteers, which she loves. She’s a mellow girl, and if you’re eager to take the whole package, please contact the shelter for information about this special girl.

Daisy (ID#A749888) asked Santa if there was room on the sleigh for her, and if not, she’d be more than delighted to be the lookout or even lead the team. She has no doubt that she could fly. Santa kindly said that Rudolph would be big jealous if Daisy took his job, but he added that there surely is a human or even a whole family who would love to offer her the lead and the leash in their household. Daisy isn’t a year old yet, and she has all that puppy energy and affection for people. She’s with a foster now and is learning her manners very well. She enjoys being in a home and would love to be in yours for the holidays!

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Best gift idea ever! Bring a family member or a friend who wants a pet for the holidays and to either or both these adoption events. Bring along the coupon above, and let your loved one pick a new friend! Then, you pay the adoption fee! More info here.

Helen Sanders CatPAWS and Long Beach Transit donation drive

Times are tough for all species. Helen Sanders CatPAWS and Long Beach Transit (LBT) have partnered up to serve everyone at the table — Long Beach Community Table, to be specific — so that neither man nor bestie goes hungry. Pick up unopened, non-perishable human food; unopened, unexpired pet food; or both and take them to one of the following locations: Monday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., LBT Corporate Office, 4801 Airport Plaza Dr., Long Beach; Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Transit Information Center, 130 E. First St., Long Beach. Donation drive lasts through Monday, Dec. 15. Access both links and scroll down for complete information.

Jolly Jubilee pet adoption event

The Long Beach Animal Care Services’ (LBACS) Adoption Waggin’, geared up with a new wrap design donated by a community member, rolls down to a holiday adoption fest! Meet the volunteers and adoptable pets, admire the new Waggin’ design, take a holiday photo, and get everything you need for anyone you adopt (no pressure — heh) inside Pet Supplies Plus!

The Jolly Jubilee takes place Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Pet Supplies Plus, 2086 N. Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach

December 2025 schedule for CAMP’s Mobile Vaccine Clinics at Long Beach Animal Care Services

Stop by for affordable vaccines, microchips, deworming, nail trims and flea/tick prevention. No appointments are needed for the clinics; they serve furry patients on a first come, first served basis. You don’t have to be from Long Beach or any of the cities serviced by the shelter, but you must do the following:

• Arrive early.
• Bring vaccine records if you have them.
• Put the cats into carriers.
• Leash your large or medium dog. Small dogs may be carried.

Please note: mobile vaccine clinics are for pet vaccines only — spay/neuter services are not available at the mobile clinics.

Access this link for more information about details, dates and locations for CAMP clinics in the Los Angeles area.

Clinics take place at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. Use the entrance to El Dorado Park; no parking fees for shelter visitors.

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.