One of the things I like about being an opinionated columnist instead of an objective journalist is that I can freely write about something worthwhile that I’m involved in, with the hope that I can interest you as well. For the Pet Post, of course, it’ll all be for the good of animals—all animals.

The Friends of Long Beach Animals’ annual Pet Celebration and 2K/5K WALK, presented by the Petco Foundation, is happening this Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9AM to 3PM at the El Dorado Recreational Park’s archery range (rest assured, no archers will be there at this time).

“To me, this event is about getting friends and families out to enjoy time with each other and their pets—to discover new ways to interact with and socialize their dogs,” said Dawn Weller, the WALK’s organizer. “Friends of Long Beach Animals does put on this event with the intention of raising much-needed funds to support their programs, but this is also a great way for us to give back to the community. It’s so much more than just a walk for the animals—it’s a whole day for the animals and their two legged friends as well.”

I’ve listed 10 reasons why you should attend the event in an easy-to-digest and quick-to-read list form. That way, you’ll read it faster and will be able to register right away.

1. You can strut your stuff with your best buddy and enjoy a day of animal demonstrations, pet-related vendors and contests. A vet will be on hand for emergencies.

2. Your dog wants to get out and socialize. It’ll be mostly dogs, but any well-behaved pet is welcome.
3. You can win great prizes when you register. Also, early registration is $25 instead of $30 at the gate, and the first 300 who register online will receive a $500 gift certificate from Red Star World Wear (cool sunglasses!). Gift bags that include a T-shirt, a raffle ticket, a $7 parking pass, pet goodies and other stuff will be given to WALK-ers while they last.
4. I did say all animals. Shoestring City Ranch will be this year’s Grand Marshall. (Remember them winning a grant on Secret Millionaire?) This haven for mistreated and abandoned farm animals also provides learning experiences for urban kids, teaching them teamwork, respect and leadership skills while learning about and caring for the animals. “It will be fun to experience people’s reactions when they see horses, goats and bunnies strolling through the park,” Weller said. “That’s not something you get to see every day here in Long Beach unless you’re a regular visitor to the Ranch. The experiences children have there are life changing for a lot of them.”
5. You can look into adopting a new four-legged (and sometimes three-legged) family member. Animal Care Services is right across the street for your convenience.
6. Megan Blake and her dog Smiley will bring the Super Smiley Flash Mob 4 Pet Adoption in at 1 PM to show everyone that adopted pets rock. These talented advocates for pets have been touring the country from NYC to LA, and their Dogumentary has been winning at film festivals, which spreads their message even further. Dance with them—the simple choreography may be seen here.
7. You can watch agility demos by So Cal Disc Dogs and Surf City Fly Ball as your pet thinks, “I can do all this, but why should I? I get my room and board by just looking cute.”
8. Your buddy and you can participate in Friends Got Talent contests, presented by LaunderPet. There’s Dog Eat Dog (hot dog bobbing), America’s Next Dog Model (Most Photogenic), American Fido (Best Voice), Cutest Ugly Mutt (self-explanatory) and Tricks for Treats (Best Pet Trick).
9. Whether you walk or just come for the Pet Appreciation Fair, you can munch snacks from the food trucks, learn about animal care from participating organizations, and spoil your pet rotten at the vendors.
10. Most importantly, you’ll be contributing to humane education and treatment of animals as well as low-cost spay/neuter, which is of utmost importance to reduce overpopulation and euthanasia rates.

To register for the event, click here.

 

You can judge a man’s true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.

~ Paul McCartney

Virtually Pets

Animal Care Services (ACS) will be at the Fair and WALK and will feature adoptable animals. As we said, there are tons more at the shelter right across the street in the park at 7700 E. Spring St. If you’re ready to share your home, hearth and heart with a new critter, consider yourself tempted with the following previews.

Joey

How could you not want a face like this waking you up every morning? Plus, he’s a dead ringer for Scooby-Doo. Joey’s a neutered male tricolor basenji mix, about 3 years old. Ask for ID# A477155.

Samson

Samson is a male neutered domestic medium-hair orange cat, about 2 years old. I have personal assurance that he’s a remarkable cat. Have you ever noticed how many “actor” cats are orange? He’s ready for his close-up with you. Ask for ID#A477145.

Pet Projects

Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics, Various Long Beach-Area Parks, Oct. 27–Dec. 8

Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) sponsors regularly scheduled clinics to help keep your cat or dog health and safe. Vaccinations are provided by Southern California Veterinary Vaccine Clinics. Pricing is available here. Scheduled dates and locations for the rest of 2012 (subject to change) are as follows:

Click here for more information.

Long Beach Animal Care Services Fund-Raiser at Veggie Grill, Thursday, Oct. 24, 4–10pm, Veggie Grill at The Marketplace (Next to Trader Joe), 6451 PCH, Long Beach

Here’s one heck of a great reason to eat your nice vegetables. On the designated date, eat at Veggie Grill (another great reason to eat your nice vegetables) and mention the ACS fund-raiser. A generous 50 percent of your food and beverage tab will go to ACS to purchase services and items to increase the comfort of their pets-in-waiting. And that ain’t small potatoes!

Halloween Spooktacular, Saturday, Oct. 27, 1–3:30PM, spcaLA Marketplace, 7700 E. Spring St. (in El Dorado Park), Long Beach

Enjoy a safe Halloween for the entire family at this neat event! Dress up your dog or indignant cat and enter contests for best couple, scariest, funniest and best homemade costumes. Then, take your BFF trick-or-treating at vendors from Honest Kitchen, Sweat Scoop, Plato Dog Treats, and Stella & Chewy’s, enjoy prize drawings, agility “playground” equipment and contests like best trick, bobbing for “apples,” and hide-a-treat game, courtesy of spcaLA Animal Behavior and training department. For more information,click here.

Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2:30PM, Livingston Park, 2900 Livingston Dr., Long Beach

Dress up the dachshund, costume the cockapoo, make up the mutt. Bring them all to this terrific annual event that attracts over 500 dogs and a couple of thousand spectators from Park Avenueto Second Street. Prizes in several categories, including best float, will be awarded to animals and humans. There’s a contest for kids, too. All funds raised will go to charities for animals and humans. <ahref=”%20http:/www.hautedogs.org/howloween.html” target=”_blank”>Click here for registration, rules and details.

Donations Needed for Animal Care Services, Pitchford Animal Companion Village, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, (562) 570-PETS

ACS thanks everyone who provided donations for their wish list! The list has been further winnowed down; if you feel generous or just have any of the following items around your house, bring them to the shelter (and take home a pet, if you are so inclined!).

• wet food for cats and kittens     
• wet food for dogs and puppies     
• Natural Balance Dog Food Rolls. See examples here.
• Two trash cans for our play yards that open with a foot press. See an example here.