Yes, and they don’t serve macaroni salad at church picnics. There are rescues specifically devoted to purebred dogs and cats, and a surprising number of these animals wind up in shelters.
Why would a pet owner spend a large sum to buy a purebred and then abandon his pet? The answers vary—some folks expect a dog or cat with purebred-registry papers and then find that the documents are bogus, others aren’t aware of certain health issues peculiar to a breed, still others buy “fad” pets because of the popularity of a movie or commercial featuring the breed, or they reupholster the furniture and the animal doesn’t match—but it all just adds up to considering a living thing as a disposable object.
If you’re interested in a specific breed and can offer him or her a forever loving home, you can find breed-specific rescues or shelter animals on PetHarbor.com. Or you can contact one of the good people at these rescues that participated in the Second Chance Pet Adoption Fair on Sunday, March 10, at Good Neighbor Park and met up with the following adoption candidates.
Kim Wicks with Aero, about 3 years old, neutered male. Dumped at shelter with health problems; shelter didn’t want to treat an eye problem, so Kim’s rescue took her. Contact Rescue Me PuPs.
Rescuer Andrea Halperin of Dobies and Little Paws Rescue aid that Holland, a 5-year-old emale Doberman, had been bred to exhaustion. She’s now been spayed and ready to enjoy the rest of her life.
Relaxin’ Zak Beasy and Cece, 9-year-old female and a sweetheart. Available at Angel City Pit Bulls.
There’s just something about beagles. This is Rocky, an 8-month-old female, held by volunteer Kathy Kloiber of Beagles and Buddies.
Rosie (the one on the right, with the tongue) is posing with Princess, her friend who already has a forever home, and with Cindy Condran and Allan Hoffman. St. Bernards are famous for rescuing folks in the snow; now you can return the favor. Visit Sunny Saints.
Willow, 9 months old, has her own saddlebags and a volunteer buddy, Paul Black. If you want to form a lifetime bond with a breed known for loyalty and bravery, rescue one at Coastal German Shepherd Rescue.
This is Daisy with rescuer Diane Daniel. Sorry–Daisy’s not available for adoption. The Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles doesn’t generally bring their rescues to events so as to keep them calm and socialize them at home. Daisy’s an example of one of the reasons why. She lived in the misery of a Missouri puppy mill where she was bred for a few years–she’s only 4 now–and kept in a cage in the dark. Daniel said that when she took Daisy home, the poor dog had no idea of what grass was or what to do when a squirrel ran by. She became frightened when the lights were turned on. J”She had no idea what it meant to be a dog,” Daniel said. Daniel is Daisy’s forever human now. Look at the photo to see what love can do.
And yes, there were mutts! Here’s Monroe, posing with Louise Montgomery of Animal Match Rescue Team. He’s a 2-year-old scruffy little male terrier who has his own Facebook page. He has more personality than Betty White.
There were cats, too, all of K-A-T breed. Cats is cats.
Broccoli, 1-year-old neutered male. Check out the Madonna mole. Available at Long Beach Felines.
This photo doesn’t do Shilo justice. She’s an 18-month-old spayed female with beautiful snakelike markings. See her at Long Beach Spay and Neuter Foundation. (If I wouldn’t have had a cat fight on my hands, I’d have taken her home.)
Maybelline’s another rare type of orange cat–a female. She’s a 2-year-old with a slight medical condition that’s easily managed. Find out about her from Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
“Rescue me. Come take me in your arms.”
~ Fontella Bass, R & B singer
Pet Projects
Bark Twice!, Long Beach Reads One Book Event, Sunday, March 17, noon–4PM, Good Neighbor Park, 2800 Studebaker Rd., Long Beach.
Apostrophe Books on Second Street in Belmont Shore may have one or two copies available.
This event promises to be the most activity packed anywhere. Featured will be a marathon reading of this year’s Long Beach Reads One Book selection, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by a number of Long Beach luminaries; Animal Care Services adoption information; demonstrations; vendors; an opportunity for your child to read to the family pet; and a special My Dog Looks Like Me contest, with an optional St, Paddy’s day dress-alike option. There are lots of things for kids to enjoy here. Oh yeah—the grilled-cheese truck is coming (be still, my beating heart)! Bark Twice! isn’t limited to these activities, but to avoid going into one of those “lions and tigers and bears (and lambs), oh my!” things, check out the flyer or visit the website. The office of Gerrie Schipske is co-sponsoring this event.
“5$ Felines” St. Patrick’s Day Adoption Event, Sunday, March 17, 11AM–5PM, Seal Beach Animal Care Center, 1700 Adolfo Lopez Drive, Seal Beach
The Seal Beach Animal Care Center (SBACC) will be hold its second-annual “St. Catrick’s” Day adoption event, and the adoption fee for cats over 6 months old will be slashed to $5! The difference this year is that the event is being held at the new Helen Sanders Cat Facility, a unique no-kill housing that was designed specifically to enhance both the lives of the resident cats and the visitor experience. “Most people think of shelters as depressing places, with sad, caged animals,” said board member Dee Carey. “Here, our cats roam free in large clean rooms with couches, TVs and outside sun porches. Visitors can hang out for as long as they want and truly get to know the individual cats’ personalities.” Volunteers, who spend countless hours with the cats, are also available to assist potential adopters in picking out the perfect furry friend. For $5, you will get a wonderful pet, already spayed or neutered, microchipped and current with vaccinations and flea control. A $350 value, the shelter will also throw in a free initial vet visit! The Facility is expected to be crowded, so visitors are advised to arrive early.
Animal Care and Cruelty Prevention Conference, Thursday, March 21, 5:30–8:30PM, Recreation Park Community Center, 4900 E. 7th St., Long Beach
Learn how to become a spokesperson for the voiceless. On Thursday, March 21, Long Beach City Prosecutor Doug Haubert and Long Beach Animal Care Services will join forces to present the Animal Care and Cruelty Prevention Conference, free of charge to the public (RSVPs are recommended; call (562) 570-5626 or visit the city prosecutor’s website.
“This event will educate the public and dispel some myths about animal care,” said city prosecutor Doug Haubert. “It will also teach people how to identify animal cruelty and what to do if they see it.”
Free gifts, including vouchers for microchipping, pet supplies, grooming, and other services will be given away to conference attendees while supplies last. Light refreshments will also be served.
“This is our second-annual event,” said Animal Care Services manager Ted Stevens. “The response to last year’s event was so positive, we decided to hold another one and expand the content.”
The conference will feature prominent speakers that include deputy district attorney Deborah Knaan, who supervises animal cruelty prosecution for the LA District Attorney’s Office; Long Beach Animal Behaviorist Alexandra Macias; and Shelter Veterinarian Margaret Lee, DVM. The event is being funded by generous sponsorships from the Golden State Humane Society, Friends of Long Beach Animals, Dogs and Cats Animal Hospital, Alpha Pet Care, Pet Partners, Social Compassion in Legislation, Pet Assistance Foundation, goFETCH, Bixby Animal Clinic, Found Animals Foundation, and Dan and Judy Crumpton. Media sponsors include Gazette Newspapers, GreaterLongBeach.com, LBReport.com, the Long Beach Post “Pet Post,” the Press-Telegram, the Signal Tribune and ThePetPost.com. Some sponsorship opportunities are still available.