Scratch This: Beloved shelter worker dies unexpectedly
Shelter staff and volunteers mourn the loss of Brian Wooten.
Long Beach Animal Care Services staff members and volunteers expressed shock and sorrow over the unexpected death of their colleague, Brian Wooten, 50, on Sept. 5.
"I am saddened to report the passing of Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) team member Brian Wooten,” wrote shelter manager Dr. Melanie Wagner in an email to staff and volunteers. “Brian’s passing was sudden and came as a shock to all that knew him.”
Brian was born in San Antonio in 1973 and relocated permanently to Long Beach in 2009. He was hired as a full-time animal care attendant in 2020.
“He played a vital role in the day-to-day care of the 4000+ animals that come through LBACS' doors every year,” Wagner said. “He was responsible for feeding, cleaning, and enriching the lives of hundreds of dogs and cats onsite at any given day. He was dedicated to the care of all animals, from small to large, and he was often seen providing additional care and attention to the dogs who were most at-risk at the shelter.”
“Every dog just lit up and got excited whenever they saw Brian, who would stop and give them love,” volunteer Cheryl Ferramola said. “He loved all animals.”
Brian was devoted to his family, which includes his daughter and the dog he adopted from the shelter. He shared his appreciation of horror films with anyone who was interested and even with some who weren’t. His sense of humor — indispensable where good outcomes for pets aren’t guaranteed — displayed itself in pranks and jokes.
“He loved to make people laugh and smile, even in the face of LBACS' hardest days,” said Wagner. “You could always count on Brian to bring a little extra sunshine to the day. His absence will be heavily felt by Animal Care staff and volunteers."
Brian is survived by his daughter. His wife died in 2015.
Family and friends have planned a visitation on Sept. 17 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a funeral service on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stricklin/Snively Mortuary, 1952 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach. GoFundMe donations to pay the costs of the services can be made here.
There are big empty spaces throughout the shelter now, especially in the kennels.
“I imagine working at the shelter, you can either be indifferent to protect your peace, or become invested in the animals’ well-being,” volunteer Sonialy Montalvo said. “Brian chose the latter. Rest in peace.”
Yours drooly
In loving memory of Brian Wooten. He adored every one of these pets, and it was reciprocal.
To speed the adoption/foster process, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov, or call (562) 570-7387. Better yet, meet them in person 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). Visiting hours are Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Peaches is a real peach of a pal! She’s an enthusiastic walker and a great tennis ball retriever. She likes to end her walks with a belly rub and a cuddle session. She knows how to sit on command and is motivated by a treat. Peaches is looking forward to being adopted as the only dog on your tree! Please pick her now because next month, she’ll have been at the shelter for a year. No way to celebrate an anniversary.
We’re doing a rerun this week with Caesar because he’s the longest stay at LBACS. This month, he’s been there exactly a year. Please don’t let this be his final home. He’s a quiet companion who enjoys his walks and sniffing everything he comes across. After, he relaxes with a volunteer for a snuggle.
Polaris (ID# A727422) is a gorgeous boy. He’s sweet, playful and very loving. He’s not even a year old yet, but he’s pretty manageable for a puppy. He’s easy to get in and out of his kennel and pretty easy to walk, although he pulls a little. Like any kid, Polaris loves going to the yard to play with the toys, and when you walk back with him, he likes stop to lie on the grass and just relax. Whoever adopts Polaris will be getting a gem!
Tail-waggin’ and nose-boopin’ events
Cool Cat Collective features art shows for hep cats
Long Beach’s newest cat meet-and-greet place is hosting two art exhibits for folks who love cats and use their feline wiles well. Monster Cats are hanging on the walls now, literally clawing them, and will haunt the habitat through Halloween. CLAWSS is a collab-purr-ation with Page Against the Machine bookstore, with works by local artist Stephanie Han. The two stores w p.m.ill each show the hackles-raising art from Sept. 27 through Nov. 11 for cat ladies and those who love them. And the cats, too, of course.
Cool Cat Collective is located at 2741 E. Fourth St., unit C, Long Beach. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Page Against the Machine is located at 2714 E. 4th St, Long Beach. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pets Ahoy! fundraiser
Calling all you seadogs and ship’s cats! Seal Beach Animal Care Center announces Pets Ahoy!, a luncheon fundraiser at the Seal Beach Yacht Club! The idea is to help assure smooth sailing for all the animals in the shelter there! Enjoy a lunch from Finbar’s Italian Kitchen paired with Riboli Family wines, listen to soulful music by Tiffany Dennis and her guitar, and bid on great treasures! All proceeds go to the pets in the shelter.
Pets Ahoy takes place Sept. 15, noon–3 p.m., at the Seal Beach Yacht Club, 255 N. Marina Dr., Seal Beach. Tickets are $75 prepaid and $85 at the door — purchase tickets here.
Helen Sanders CatPAWS annual Show Us Your Kitties calendar contest
Time to submit your favorite photos of your favorite pointy-eared people so that they can live on in purr-petuity, or at least through 2025! Helen Sanders CatPAWS’ annual contest raises funds for medical bills and food for CatPAWS rescues, and it also helps power the rescue’s spay/neuter mobile van. This year, the goal is to reach $10,000, which will be used to continue the lifesaving work they do in our community and beyond. Follow the instructions on the link to enter your cat. The top three submissions will be offered a personal sketch of their photo! Because every dollar counts and to encourage people to share their beloved kitty photos, CatPAWS has waived the entry fee this year! The organization will strive to put every photo on the calendar, whether they’re top 12 or not. You can even reserve a special day for a thumbnail on your calendar: a birthday, a “gotcha” day, or a memorial to a beloved cat for $15 a space. So go ahead — show us those kitties! We know you want to!
Follow this link for instructions to enter the Show Us Your Kitties calendar contest. Entries may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. PDT on Monday, Sept. 30. Voting ends Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 9:00 p.m. PDT.
Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.
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