Scratch This: Noses are wet, violets are blue...
Find the love of your life at the Long Beach animal shelter!
Too many shelter and rescue dogs have been in residence way too long — a few weeks, a number of months, even more than a year. Some reasons include size (small dogs get adopted more frequently than large ones, partly because of size restrictions in rentals); breed bias (pit bulls have a bad rap and stick around a lot — thanks to backyard breeders, a lot of them are dumped in shelters); overbreeding (backyard breeders and puppy mills produce huge numbers of sick animals, many of whom wind up dead or in shelters); age (puppies are cute and eclipse the quieter charm of older dogs).
Behavior and the way a dog presents affect chances of adoption — a friendly, playful pooch will make it out of the kennel faster than one who may have kennel stress and would blossom if they had the right people to nurture them.
Long Beach Animal Care Services has several dogs who have been in the shelter too long. They’re offering a Valentine for humans seeking the right somebuddy to love, and, of course, for the longtime residents themselves. From Feb. 14 to Feb. 28, adoption fees will be $14 for pets who have lived in the shelter for more than 30 days.
You can use the money you save to buy your new love-bunny a heart-shaped sampler of dog treats (which are all sold out at the Dog Bakery, would you believe, but they have other neat stuff). The forever love is absolutely free.
YOURS DROOLY
The LBACS volunteers went dog-wild for Valentine’s Day — they custom-made individual cards for the sweet boo-boos and put them on their outside doors of their kennels. Look for them the next time you visit.
Here are a few featured dogs who need to find their Valentine. See them at the shelter 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). To adopt, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call 562-570-4925. Remember, longtime residents get special love — $14 adoption fees.
Find all adoptable pets here.
For the following, graphics are by Ricky Yim, poems by LBACS volunteers.
TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS
Blockhead Brigade’s Fire Relief Program for Altadena pets and their people
If you have pets and have been displaced or affected by the Eaton fire in Altadena, please fill out this form in detail, and Blockhead Brigade will assist you in accessing resources — there are several available on BB’s resources page.
Please reach out with any questions at blockheadbrigade@gmail.com; if you wish to volunteer, email at that address. Your donations will help greatly, and you can apply to volunteer here.
Pickle4Pups fundraiser for Long Beach Animal Care Services and K9 Kismet Dog Rescue
Bat at a ball to benefit pets waiting for their forever homes! Picke4Pups is hosting a two-day pickleball tournament to benefit pets! Play pickleball, check out the vendors, and meet amazing adoptables while you get your game going. All registered players will receive a drawstring backpack full of goodies. Medals will be given out to the top three teams in each category: men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
Register here for $50 — proceeds will go to K9 Kismet Dog Rescue and City of Long Beach Animal Care Services. For more information, email matt@laridon.org or access this link.
Pickle4Pups takes place Saturday and Sunday, Feb 15 and 16, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m., Sports Basement, 2100 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach
Haute Dogs’ 20th annual Bulldog Beauty Contest
Actually, whether you have whatever variety of a bulldog or a rescue blend o’ breeds, there’s a contest for your buddy in the biggest, most wonderful doggie event anywhere — the Bulldog Beauty Contest! Your best buddy will be in the running (or trotting) for 12 contests that include best bulldog and best rescue, seniors (any breed over 7 years old). Best in Show (all breeds and mixes thereof), and small and large dogs. Red Barn Premium Pet Food will provide the prizes.
Contestants will strut their stuff down a concrete runway that includes a 60-ft. red carpet, as hundreds of admirers look on. Dogs won’t be judged on looks but on charm, facial expressions and personality! Dr. Greg Perrault of Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital will be present for any emergency.
Register now for $10 for all contests, or on the day of event for $20. Seats for spectators will be available for $5 the day of the event. Vendors will have good stuff for your own pets! All proceeds from the event will fund Justin Rudd’s nonprofit Community Action Team.
The Bulldog Beauty contests takes place Sunday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m. at the boat launch near Rosie’s Dog Beach, 1 Granada Ave., Long Beach. Access this link for more information.
Paws on the Lot Pet Adoption and Pop-Up
Caruso Lincoln hosts this pet-loving event for a number of models — ah, species — of furry buddies! Check out dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and maybe a bun-bun or two, and get your photos taken with your new loves for free! Participating rescues include The Little Lion Foundation, Ozzie and Friends, Girls of Dog Rescue and The Vegan Animal Rescue.
Vendors will beguile you with their pet-related goods, you’ll have fun crafting in the kitten tent, and you’ll see demonstrations of pet accessories for the car. Bring pet supplies to donate to animals in need!
Paws on the Lot takes place Sunday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Caruso Lincoln, 3500 Cherry Ave., Long Beach. Free event.
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.
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