{"id":218854,"date":"2026-03-14T00:10:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T00:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/218854\/"},"modified":"2026-03-14T00:10:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T00:10:08","slug":"could-your-pet-be-long-beachs-favorite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/218854\/","title":{"rendered":"Could your pet be Long Beach’s Favorite?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cThis is my son, Gumbo.\u201d Ashley Jones, executive director of Partners of Parks<\/a>, thus introduced her new family member at the March 10 Long Beach City Council. Gumbo attended the meeting as ambassador for Jones\u2019 presentation of Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet, a competition and celebration of the city\u2019s pets and the people who love them. Partners of Parks, a nonprofit serving the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine<\/a>, will host the event as a fundraiser for Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS).<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPartners of Parks is a nonprofit unique in the sense that we serve a city department,\u201d Jones said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a lot of events and fundraisers that focus on Parks and Recreation, but not as much on Animal Care Services.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones opened the slide show presentation<\/a> with the story of Gumbo, who was alternating his activity between wagging his tail at the council members, lying down at Jones\u2019 feet, and trying to make forays into the audience.<\/p>\n

\"\"Gumbo behaved himself beautifully at the March 10 City Council meeting. Photo by Kate Karp.<\/p>\n

Gumbo was LBACS\u2019 longest-stay resident. He lived in a kennel for nearly two years, with breaks for outings, walks and playing with the volunteers. A pretty fellow with expressive caramel-brown eyes, Gumbo was a favorite of LBACS volunteers. But despite their every effort, Gumbo remained stuck in the kennel until his situation caught Jones\u2019 eye. It was love at first sight for both of them.<\/p>\n

Scratch This!<\/a> told Gumbo and Jones\u2019 story a couple weeks ago.<\/p>\n

Jones wanted to share the joy that she and Gumbo bring into each other\u2019s lives. She came across the perfect opportunity when she saw the America\u2019s Favorite Pet<\/a> competition, hosted by actors Jenny McCarthy and Donnie Wahlberg. She entered Gumbo, and he made the top 1% but ultimately didn\u2019t win the contest. But he did inspire Jones to pass it forward to the pets in Long Beach, be they dog, cat, bunny, goat, chicken, gerbil, parrot, tortoise, tarantula or whatever you may legally live with here.<\/p>\n

Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet competition will take place during National Pet Month in May. Long Beach residents can enter their best buddy in one of three categories: dog, cat and other \u2014 if you have a pair of goats or a hissing cockroach, enter them. Several pet-friendly Long Beach businesses are also onboard with the event and will provide cash awards and in-kind prizes for pets and their parents.<\/p>\n

A particular incentive and in-depth LBACS focus will take place during each of the four weeks in May, including long-stay pet adoptions, pet licensing, spay\/neuter and microchipping.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a lot of health and welfare services that need to be provided to our community and their pets: keeping them spayed and neutered, microchipped, registered [via licensing],\u201d Jones said. \u201cWe also want to generate interest and excitement about the pets in our local shelter \u2014 getting more pets adopted.\u201d<\/p>\n

All applicants for Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet must be Long Beach residents. Applications for the contest will be accessible on the Partners of Parks website<\/a> by March 23, the starting date to apply. Scratch This! will publish a link in the Tail-Waggin\u2019 and Nose-Boopin\u2019 Events section. Applicants will answer a few questions about themselves and their pet on the application and upload photos along with it.<\/p>\n

The semifinalists will be announced Monday, May 4, followed by voting from the public on Monday, May 18. The big winners will receive their awards on Friday, May 29, at the Pet Pawty and Awards Ceremony at El Dorado Park.<\/p>\n

All funds from the event will benefit LBACS.<\/p>\n

Jones said that she\u2019d love to see involvement by the mayor and City Council in Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet. She reminded them of former mayor Robert Garcia\u2019s celebration of National Pet Month with the Kitty Hall adoption events.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would love to bring that back, and we would love to have you, Mayor Richardson, come to LBACS and create a Rexceptional Day of Pets, maybe conduct your meetings from there and feature some of the long-stay legends,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s a Rexcellent idea,\u201d the mayor quipped.<\/p>\n

Richardson said that although he\u2019s allergic to cat dander, he\u2019s visited LBACS several times and would be happy to help and coordinate with City Council.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t seen Partners of Parks engage in such a pet-focused activity, so congratulations to you, and thank you for stepping up for our pets in Long Beach,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Watch social media and your inbox for updates and participation information for Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet competition and National Pet Month activities. For more details, visit Partners of Parks<\/a> or email info@poplb.org. Check out Gumbo\u2019s Instagram page @gumboleejones.<\/p>\n

YOURS DROOLY<\/p>\n

LBACS has lots of dogs and cats waiting to be someone\u2019s favorite pet, and rabbits wait in the Bunny Barn<\/a>. Every now and then, Animal Control will bring in a chicken, a cockatiel, a snake, a pocket pet or another lost or abandoned animal \u2014 earlier in the week, a guinea pig took residence, but she seems to have found a home. You can see who\u2019s who at LBACS on this link.<\/a><\/p>\n

Dogs at LBACS, however, have the most urgent need of adoption, especially senior dogs and big dogs. LBACS\u2019 staff and volunteers do everything they can to make these dogs visible and adoptable. Sometimes, it works beautifully. Other times, a good dog whom the volunteers adore sits and stays for months and sometimes years.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s always a celebration when someone cares enough to come to the shelter and meet a senior or a long-stay dog. When the dog stars align and they go home together, it\u2019s that pooch\u2019s lucky day.<\/p>\n

In honor of Gumbo and his mom, Ashley Jones, we present three wonderful dogs who need to be seen in the realest sense. To foster or adopt any of them, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call 562-570-4925. Better yet, come down and meet them to see how great they are. LBACS hours are 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). This month, LBACS is featuring a St. Paddy\u2019s Day special: $17 adoption fee for any dog and $7 fee for any cat who\u2019s been at the shelter 30 days or longer.<\/p>\n

\"\"Penny. Photo courtesy of LBACS<\/p>\n

Speaking of St. Patrick\u2019s Day, if you can\u2019t find a four-leaf clover, how about a lucky Penny (ID# A746451)? Here she is in volunteer Cheryl\u2019s car, all ready for a Fido Field Trip to Pitbull Appreciation Day, where she got to join a pack walk, enjoy the park, and even paint a picture. (LBACS dogs each have a special talent \u2014 Penny\u2019s a regular Vincent van Dogh). The field trips and other outings have helped Penny come out of the shell she was in when she first came to the shelter. <\/p>\n

She\u2019s in foster now, and her foster said that once she\u2019s comfy, she loves to snuggle and put her front paws on her for hugs. She still gets a little jittery \u2014 she once gave a low growl when she saw a feather on the grass during a walk until she went over and investigated it! Penny will be good with someone who has patience with her and doesn\u2019t push themselves on her. She\u2019ll be a lucky Penny indeed! <\/p>\n

Kaia. Video courtesy of LBACS<\/p>\n

Kaia (ID#A756343) is a sweet, gray pittie with limited vision and hearing. But she sure doesn\u2019t lack in heart, soul and sense of humor! The volunteers took the dogs for St. Paddy\u2019s Day photos with the head leprechaun, and Kaia had such a great time that she rewarded her walker, volunteer Alison, with \u201ca million kisses!\u201d Kaia is estimated to be 8 years old, is super-easy to walk, and loves treats. <\/p>\n

\"\"Howie. Photo courtesy of LBACS<\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t Howie (ID#A755788) unique! He\u2019s a white pittie, and the volunteers describe him as \u201cjust a gem.\u201d Howie\u2019s a senior at 13, but he\u2019s what you\u2019d call spry and ready for a good time. He\u2019s an absolute love to walk \u2014 he likes to select the pace. He\u2019s easy to leash and truly enjoys being out with his people buddies. Of course, he loves treats as well, and had a great time with the LBACS leprechaun! <\/p>\n

TAIL-WAGGIN’ AND NOSE-BOOPIN’ EVENTS<\/p>\n

Show Me Your Kitties Cabaret<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Get ready for a night of feline-filled fun and fabulousness! Show Me Your Kitties Cabaret is a classic cabaret with a twist: the entire show is cat-themed! The Little Lion Foundation<\/a> is producing a lineup of dazzling performers, all coming together to raise money for the Long Beach-based nonprofit dedicated to saving the lives of kittens. Join us at the Altar Society for an evening of glitter, glamour, and good deeds as we shimmy, shake, and strut our tails off to support spay\/neuter services, kitten rescue, and the Little Lion Foundation’s life-saving programs. Not included in ticket prices are competitions for gift baskets, cocktails to swig and a limited menu from the Altar Society. Oh yes \u2014 it\u2019ll be Friday the 13th, so wear your basic black-cat attire! All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Little Lions\u2019 little lions!<\/p>\n

Show Us Your Kitties Cabaret Doors takes place Friday, March 13, 6:30 p.m.\u201310:30 p.m. at the Altar Society, 230 Pine Ave., Long Beach. Get there early to get good seats. Buy your tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pet Loss and Illness Support Group<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The worst day in the life you share with a pet is the day you have to say goodbye forever. Grief is personal on the one hand, and on the other hand, you have a lot of company who get what you\u2019re going through. Helen Sanders CatPAWS<\/a> rescue gets it, too, and offers a space for anyone who also gets it, who\u2019ll never say to you, \u201cBut it was just a cat.\u201d Or a dog, or a rabbit, or a horse, or a goldfish. The members of this group will listen, connect, and support you, and you\u2019ll do the same for them.<\/p>\n

The Pet Loss and Illness Support Group takes place Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m. in the library room at Bay Shore Community Congregational Church, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. No cost for the meeting, but let the leads know that you\u2019re coming here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go bowling with Helen Sanders CatPAWS!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When your cat sits up straight, their little head pointing upward, do you think of bowling pins? When they knock the cup that holds your pens to the floor, do you suddenly yell \u201cStrike!\u201d? If you do, you\u2019ll love this event! Helen Sanders CatPAWS<\/a> 13th Annual Bowling Fundraiser will give you a great way to focus and vent your energy and support this nonprofit rescue at the same time. Shoes and a snack are included! <\/p>\n

Hate bowling? Come anyway and cheer your team on! Bid on silent auction items, and win a prize for your bowling skill or lack of same. Funds will support CatPAWS\u2019 spay\/neuter programs for community cats and owned cats and will pay the medical bills for the rescued cats, which will turn them into the adorable adoptables you can see on their Adoptions page and in person at the Seal Beach PetSmart<\/a>. Purchase tickets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

CatPAWS\u2019 13th Annual Bowling Fundraiser takes place Saturday, March 21, 3 p.m.\u20136 p.m. at Westminster Lanes, 6471 Westminster Blvd., Westminster. Ticket prices $45 for bowlers, $25 for non-bowlers. Snack is included in both tickets.<\/p>\n

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from \u2014 anything pet related? Follow this link<\/a> for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.<\/p>\n

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