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If you’re ready to bring home your furry Valentine but are frustrated by the shelter’s appointment requirement and the time it can take to hear back, here’s your chance to boop some cold noses: Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) has planned not one but two in-person events for Valentine’s weekend!
They take place Saturday, Feb. 12, and you can attend either or both. First, enjoy rapid dating (rabbit dating in the Bunny Barn) at the open-house on the shelter’s campus, 7700 E. Spring St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Then, tool on over to Pet Supplies Plus, 2086 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, where the Adoption Waggin’ will be parked from 1 to 4 p.m. The shop is right next to Lazy Acres, so you can indulge your new buddy with toys and treats at Pet Supplies Plus and do the same for yourself with a latte or an artisan something.
Heal a pet’s broken heart and fill your own at the shelter this Saturday. Graphic by LBACS volunteer Dee Glick
Previous Scratching Posts have stressed how LBACS is bogged down with dogs, who are also stressed. Anything that facilitates a pet going to a real home is a gift to them. But the present adoption process has been frustrating. People express on social media and in person about doing due diligence online and sometimes waiting extended times to get a response. In actuality, not just LBACS but also nearly every shelter and rescue from Orange County to Los Angeles and beyond requires applications and appointments. One exception is the Feline Good Social Club, which is a rescue but functions largely as an event venue, hosts a limited number of people at a time, and requires masks and proof of vaccination.
“The Seal Beach Animal Care Center is open for adoptions to preapproved applicants by appointment,” said the shelter’s president, Cathy Winans. “This is not only for the safety of our employees, volunteers and the public but because we actually believe it allows families more time alone with our animals and to process paperwork without rushing. Best of all, it keeps the shelter quieter for the well-being of our animals.”
According to LBACS shelter director Staycee Dains, the Los Angeles Shelter does weekend walk-ins only and has someone checking ID and vaccination cards. But Long Beach is still in the midst of hiring and filling positions for its understaffed shelter, and the present employees are scrambling to keep things going, including handling adoptions.
“We aren’t staffed for this,” Dains said. “It’s what we are able to do right now and what’s good for our animals. Best Friends [a national organization dedicated to reaching no-kill status in all shelters nationwide] happens to support it, as does every other national organization.”
But this Saturday, at least, you can meet your crush in person. Check out these sweethearts, and let Cupid go to town!
If your dance card is full on Feb. 12, email [email protected] or check out all the pets here, fill out an application for the one you like, and make an appointment.
“Someone please chews me to be your love!” says Lobo. Lobo (AID #A659678) is approximately 5 years old, and his favorite thing to do is play. Balls, plushies, rubber toys—he loves them all! He has a rock-solid “sit” response and is very smart. If you’re looking for a super-cute, perfect, midsize exercise buddy, Lobo is ready to be your best friend! Photo by shelter volunteer Nici Daniels
Smiley Miley (ID#A656951) came to the shelter as a stray and has been in the shelter since May! This 3-year-old is really, really ready to get out and live the life that a dog is supposed to live. She loves her treats, and she knows a couple of commands—“sit,” especially. Miley is a strong lady and needs a human who has patience and understanding for a dog who needs it. As you can see, she’s all ready to tango with a partner at the Valentine’s Day dance. Could it be you? Adoptions are now conducted through appointment only, so call 562-570-PETS or email [email protected] to meet Miley. Photo by shelter volunteer Nici Daniels
Candy for Valentine’s Day? How about a Reese’s peanut butter pup! Reese (ID#A65453) is possibly an Australian cattle dog/pit bull mix. She’s a young, active girl that loves to chase toys—she’ll do it all day long! After playing, she loves to climb in your lap for vigorous petting while searching for any treats you may have on you. She’s also an avid lizard hunter and will attempt to climb trees to catch one! She can be pretty exuberant on a leash at first, but walks well once she plays it out a bit. Reese would do best with a confident, experienced owner with an active lifestyle. Because of her strong toy focus and active play drive, a home without small children might be best. Photo by shelter volunteer Nici Daniels
This roly-poly 2-year-old cutie-patootie pittie is Tootie (ID# A661600). He walks well on a leash and loves to play with toys. He has been good with other dogs while at the shelter. He can be distrustful of strangers and needs a moment to realize you’re a friend, and then he warms up quite quickly. Tootie has been at the shelter since August, and after five months, he’s struggling with the confinement and noise of the shelter. He’s an active, young dog, and experience with this breed is a plus. Photo by shelter volunteer Nici Daniels.
Happy Meower: Friday, Feb. 11–Monday, Feb. 14, 4 –6 p.m., Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, $25 for a pair of tickets.
The town’s only cat lounge celebrates their guests by offering a reduced price ticket for two to visit their special cats and also complimentary wine and chocolate, and all the kitties you can amuse yourself with. There will also be a drawing on each of these four days and times for one guest per hour to receive a special FGSC goodie bag. Spaces are limited, so book your spot for two right meow!
Spay/neuter appointments available at SNP/LA: 6:30 a.m. –4 p.m., 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro, check website for hours and information on making an appointment.
In need of low-cost vaccinations for your pets? SNP/LA has extended its hours! Walk-ins are available.
SNP/LA offers low-cost cat and dog vaccinations, deworming, microchips, nail trims, and flea and tick treatments. (Pet vaccines and basic wellness services only. No spay and neuter services available at our mobile clinics.)
Please DM us for pricing.
Access this link for more information.
Photo courtesy of PetSmart Charities
If you’ve always wanted a pet but aren’t sure if you’re ready for a lifetime (the animal’s) commitment, or if you’re past the pet-roommate days for any reason, fostering might be a great way to go, especially with one or more of the kittens popping up during kitten season. Every one of the organizations listed below is in desperate need of fosters who’ll social them and help save their little lives. Who knows—maybe one of those lives will change your mind about the not-ready-for-roommate thing!
These nonprofits also regularly feature cat, dog and rabbit adoptions. As of now, adoptions are mainly by appointment. Click on the links for each rescue in case of updates or changes. These organizations operate through donations and grants, and anything you can give would be welcome. Please suggest any Long Beach-area rescues to add to the list.
Hyperlocal news is an essential force in our democracy, but it costs money to keep an organization like this one alive, and we can’t rely on advertiser support alone. That’s why we’re asking readers like you to support our independent, fact-based journalism. We know you like it—that’s why you’re here. Help us keep hyperlocal news alive in Long Beach.
Kate Karp
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