{"id":349592,"date":"2026-06-06T15:05:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T15:05:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/349592\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T15:05:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T15:05:25","slug":"everyone-won-at-partners-of-parks-long-beachs-favorite-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/349592\/","title":{"rendered":"Everyone won at Partners of Parks Long Beach’s Favorite Pets"},"content":{"rendered":"

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On Saturday, May 30, a bunch of dogs, a far smaller group of cats (cats, y\u2019know) and one sulcata tortoise came to the Bandshell at Recreation Park to see how they fared in Partners of Parks<\/a>\u2019 (POP) Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet. No one left disappointed \u2014 nearly everyone won an award, and all of them got treats from Long Beach-based Redbarn Pet Products<\/a>\u2019 sampling bar.<\/p>\n

The event was the brainpup of Ashley Jones, POP\u2019s executive director. Jones got the idea after adopting Gumbo from Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) a few months ago. Gumbo was the dog with the longest stay at the shelter than anyone can remember \u2014 over two years. His name is now Gumbo Lee Jones, and he\u2019s his mom Ashley\u2019s inspiration for the event.<\/p>\n

The sponsors, vendors and rescues present included title sponsor Redbarn; Councilwoman Megan Kerr; Long Beach public radio station KLBP<\/a>; Raising Cane\u2019s<\/a>; the Water Replenishment District<\/a>; YogaSix<\/a>; Wet Nose Photo 4 You<\/a>, which actually had a dog, Bruno, in the race; Helen Sanders CatPAWS<\/a> with information about TNVR and their spay\/neuter clinics; and Downtown Long Beach Alliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson was scheduled to make an appearance, but the event took place two days before Election Day and he had stuff to do. But his wife, Dr. Nina Richardson, and their daughters, Alina and Mila, were delighted to fill in. Especially Alina and Mila.<\/p>\n

\"AAshley Jones, left, introduces Long Beach\u2019s First Family. Dr. Richardson presented Redbarn with a certificate from the Mayor\u2019s Office to celebrate the business\u2019 30th anniversary. Alina and Mila enthusiastically read off the names of the contest winners. Photo by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s just a handful of winners:<\/p>\n

Diego, an LBACS alumnus, won top honors as Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Dog! Here he is with his dad, Arash Baboo, taking the stage like the superstars they are. Video by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

Benny, a legend in his own right<\/a>, won the Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Cat first place award! He also came to the shelter nearly eight years ago as a severely abused cat. Video by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

\"ASonny isn\u2019t too visible in his carrier, but he had to make an appearance. His mom, cat volunteer Janet, adopted Sonny from LBACS, making him one of three LBACS alumni at the presentation. Photo by Kate Karp\"AShelly, the appropriately named sulcata tortoise, appeared in a tutu to accept top honors in the Other Pets category. You could say that slow and steady wins the race, but that girl could move. Among Shelly\u2019s prizes were an air fryer, which may seem like something a tortoise would have no use for. However, Shelly\u2019s mom, Maria Castilleja, said that she\u2019s going to cook up some carrots with it. Carrots are Shelly\u2019s favorite treats. Photo by Kate Karp\"ABruno, not surprisingly, won Most Fashionable. His mom, Brenda Estrada, taught him everything she knows about dressing to impress. Estrada is the proprietor of Wet Nose 4 You pet photography. Photo by Kate Karp\"ALogan was awarded Mr. Personality. Photo by Kate Karp\"TwoSpiegel was a cute contender, too! Photo by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

Bronco Schultz took third place in the dog category. Bronco has a neurological issue, which gives him a wonky walk. The Schultzes adopted Bronco from a high-euthanasia shelter because of his common link with Pam Schultz, who also has a health issue. They\u2019re each other\u2019s support buddies! Bronco accompanies dad Jon to work as well. Video by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

Here comes Reginald Mortimer Happenstance in a Naples-style gondola powered by mom Teresa Galloway. Reg won honorable mention. The Galloways found Reg running in the street. \u201cMy husband said I could keep him only if he got to name him,\u201d Galloway said. Video by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

\"\"And here\u2019s a full list. The top three contestants in each category got a goodie bag, a certificate and a medal. Pedro the mouse didn\u2019t show up \u2014 he heard that two cats would be attending and possibly a rat terrier. Graphic by Ashley Jones and Kate Karp<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me tell you \u2014 the last 24 hours, there were so many donations and lots of things happening,\u201d Jones said. \u201cIt was incredible how you all rallied, not just for your pets but the pets at Long Beach Animal Care Services. The real winner was LBACS.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ADr. Melanie Wagner, LBACS\u2019 bureau manager, was overjoyed when she found that the contest generated $10,000 for LBACS! That\u2019ll buy a lot of medical care, supplies, facility improvements and, of course, Redbarn goodies. Photo by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

Jones said that she\u2019d expected only a couple of thousand raised for the shelter. She\u2019s already thinking about next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to make it bigger and better!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

See a neat photo recap<\/a> of the event on LBACS\u2019 Facebook page<\/p>\n

YOURS DROOLY\"TwoCat volunteer Susan and dog volunteer Cheryl stand in front of the Adoption Waggin\u2019 with Rosco, who ignored the kittens in the window. Photo by Kate Karp<\/p>\n

\u201cAdopt from us!\u201d said LBACS\u2019 Dr. Melanie Wagner, aka Dr. Wags, at the Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet celebration. \u201cIf adoption isn\u2019t your thing, then foster!\u201d<\/p>\n

Meet the adoptables who were guest stars at the celebration last week. Dr. Wags will give you the scoop on these great pets. Maybe one or all of them will contend in next year\u2019s Long Beach\u2019s Favorite Pet competition.<\/p>\n

To make this happen, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call 562-570-4925. Better yet, visit them all at LBACS \u2014 click this link<\/a> for a preview of who\u2019s there! Shelter 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).<\/p>\n

\"ASwayze<\/p>\n

\u201cSwayze (ID#A758539) \u2014 an absolute love!\u201d Dr. Wags said. \u201cHe works for treats. He loves Redbarn \u2014 a little shameless plug for Redbarn! He came in as a stray.\u201d He does well around other dogs and likes everyone he meets.\u201d Here\u2019s Swayze onstage with volunteer Patti, who said that he\u2019s very playful.<\/p>\n

\"ARosco<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a better photo of Rosco (ID#A755802), thanks to LBACS. Dr. Wags says, \u201cRosco is 3 years old. He also came to us as a stray, so we don\u2019t know a lot about his history. We do know that he does really well on pack walks \u2014 he seems to do really well around other dogs. He\u2019s a volunteer favorite \u2014 and he loves Redbarn, too! We hope that someone comes and adopts either one of them \u2013 they\u2019ll make a lovely addition to your home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are more of a cat person, we have some cats over there, who are all named after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles \u2014 or artists, depending on which pop culture you prefer,\u201d Wagner said. You can see them peeping out the window of the Adoption Waggin.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"AMunchkin<\/p>\n

The Turtles have been whiskered off to homes and rescues in less than a week. But this girl showed up. Her name\u2019s Munchkin (ID# A752923). She\u2019s 3 years old and had quite an ordeal. She was found with damage to her spinal cord after what LBACS thinks was a car-engine accident. She\u2019s fine now, but because of her injuries, she has a wobbly walk that\u2019s quite adorable. She needs a little extra help when going to pee, but she can still use her litter box on her own. LBACS staff and volunteers say that Munchkin is playful, speedy, curious, and always ready for attention. She\u2019s been working hard in physical therapy and continues getting stronger every day. Munchkin\u2019s ready to find a loving home that will give her the care, patience and love she deserves.<\/p>\n

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

Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) Adopt-a-Pet Day<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

June 6 marks the third annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day<\/a>! On this day, shelters across the state will waive adoption fees, thanks to ASPCA grants covering the costs. LBACS, of course, will participate, which means that you won\u2019t have to reach in your wallet \u2014 all you\u2019ll have to do is fill out the application! Check out all the pets here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The rabbit-care class takes place Saturday, June 6, noon\u20131 p.m. at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. No charge for parking for shelter visitors.<\/p>\n

Meet the Sunshine Rabbits at Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Bunnies are delicate little animals and need special care. This Saturday, rabbits from LBACS and Sunshine Rabbit Center<\/a> will help teach about rabbit care and answer any questions that potential adopters may have. Your new best buddy might be just a hop, skip and jump away!<\/p>\n

Long Beach Animal Care Services is located at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach. No charge for parking for shelter visitors. Saturday shelter hours are 10 a.m.\u20134 p.m.<\/p>\n

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

\"The<\/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, June 20 at 11 a.m. at the Bay Shore 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

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

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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