Recently in adoptions Category

Thanks to our friends at Dogster for posting this poem (author unknown). It carries an important message about our roles as stewards of creation -- and the benefits of adopting unwanted pets from your local shelter or rescue groups.

It's called I Adopted Your Dog Today:

I adopted your dog today

The one you left at the pound

The one you had for seven years

and no longer wanted around.

I adopted your dog today

Do you know he's lost weight?

Do you know he's scared and depressed

and has lost all faith?

I adopted your dog today

He had fleas and a cold

But don't worry none

You've unburdened your load.

I adopted your dog today

Were you having a baby or moving away?

Did you suddenly develop allergies?

Or another reason he couldn't stay?

I adopted your dog today

He doesn't play or eat much

He's very depressed

But he will learn again to trust

I adopted your dog today

And here he will stay

He's found his forever home

And a warm bed on which to lay.

I adopted your dog today

And I will give him all that he could need -

Patience, love, security and understanding.

Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.

- Author Unknown

The city of Los Angeles' Harbor Animal Care Center  will hold a pet adoption event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 21) in the upper picnic area at Hesse Park, 29301 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes.

The shelter will have dogs, cats and rabbits available for adoption. Available animals can be seen by clicking on the shelter's Web site above.

Another pet adoption event will be planned for Dec. 12 at the park.

The recession is taking its toll on shelter animals, according to an Associated press story that ran in the Daily Breeze today. From the article:

Animal rescues and shelters have suffered during the recession, particularly in states like California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona where the real estate boom busted the loudest, said Stephen L. Zawistowski of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

So it's good to hear about how some groups are finding creative ways to make their dollars stretch.

Border Collies in Need, a group founded by Suzanne Strauss of San Pedro, has joined the "Double Your Impact Challenge" fund-raising drive, which is being sponsored by the Best Friends Animal Society. Donations made from Nov. 9 through Dec. 4 will be doubled by Best Friends, helping the rescue groups of your choice. I'm sure other local groups have signed up as well.

Under a new Best Friends  program called Network Charities, the campaign promotes collaboration among nonprofit shelters and rescue groups working to solve the problem of homeless pets.

Check out the Border Collies in Need page with Best Friends. 

Border Collies In Need (BCIN) also will attend the Best Friends Adoption Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday (Nov. 15) at the La Brea Tar Pits, 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

Here are 3 of the dogs currently available for adoption from the BCIN (you can contact them at bcrescue@cox.net or download an application from their web site):

This is "Cash."

Cash is beautiful, but on the thin side. He gets along well with small and older dogs and has a really nice disposition ... Cash is about 11-months-old and grew up on a 50,000 acre ranch in Northeastern Oregon chasing cows and everything else that moved! He fell as a puppy and dislocated his hip which had to be surgically replaced. He tends to favor his left rear leg every once in a while but has no pain. ... Cash NEEDS room to run!

And here's Shayna.

Shayna is a 1 year old purebred Border Collie. A traditionally marked black & white semi rough coated girl, she has one blue eye. Shayna is of very athletic build and we are working on adding a few pounds. ... Shayna is medium to high drive, thus we do not recommend her for the first time BC owner. She will need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep her engaged. A bored BC is not a good thing!

And Glynn.

Glynn is an 18 month old male Border Collie with a high drive. He is a gorgeous traditional black & white with semi rough coat. Glynn was found stray after being struck by a vehicle. Lucky for him there were no fractures. 

Caryn Klein lives in the South Bay and has three dogs and tree cats -- "all rescues," she points out.

And now she's launched Lifesapet, a new web site and blog focusing on helping shelter and rescue pets find permanent homes.

"I am a passionate animal advocate, shelter volunteer, website designer and a technician's assistant in a local animal hospital," she writes. "I live and work in the Los Angeles area and I am owned by three chihuahuas and three cats."

About the new site: "We network animals from local shelters and rescue groups in Los Angeles using social media sites, email rescue groups and the internet so these animals have a better chance at getting rescued."

They advocate adoption and spaying and neutering pets to reduce the number of homeless animals.

Among the stories featured currently on www.lifesapet.com is a disabled mom cat and her kitten (pictured below) that are in need of a special home and now staying at Redondo Veterinary Medical Center, 541 N. Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach (310-376-6056).

The site also lists stories about other pets that are in need of homes soon. Among them are "Dinah," a 6-pound chihuahua from a South Los Angeles shelter; a 15-year-old chihuahua dumped at the Pasadena shelter; and "Cutie Pie," a small chihuahua at the Carson shelter.

You can follow Caryn on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lifesapet

and also on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifesapet

We'll post more about this as the broadcast approaches, but one of my favorite dog rescue groups -- BorderColliesInNeed.org (my dogs Cowboy & Tess were both adopted from BC's In Need) -- is among the many sponsors of the National Pet Fostering Program insipired by a book and a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie that will air on Nov. 29.

"A Dog Named Christmas" will be shown on CBS and will direct viewers to Petfinder.com to find shelters and rescue groups in their areas that are participating in "Foster a Lonely Pet" program.

The film, based on the best-selling book by Greg Kincaid, is about Todd McCray, a developmentally challenged young man living on his parents' Kansas farm. When he hears that a local animal shelter seeks temporary homes for its dogs during the holidays leading up to Christmas, Todd asks his parents for a dog that he names Christmas.

From there, Todd uses his gifts of persuasion to encourage his hometown to participate in the "Adopt a Dog for Christmas," with lessons in kindness and goodwill flowing abundantly from there.

If you're interested in participating in this program, and can welcome a dog into your home for two months during the holidays, check with BorderColliesInNeed (email them at Rescue@BorderColliesInNeed.org).

And stay tuned for more information about the project as we get it. Maybe we can even feature some of you who decide to bring a shelter or rescue dog home for the holidays.

We carried an earlier post that linked to the Daily Breeze story regarding Mr. Burns, a dog (thought to be an Akita-chow mix) whose life was spared when he was trapped in an auto shop

fire. The shop owner's wife committed suicide by setting herself on fire -- and Mr. Burns, as he was dubbed at Affordable Animal Hospital, was an innocent victim, suffering third-degree burns covering over 60-70 percent of his body before he was pulled to safety by firefighters.

He responded well to treatment and was transferred back to the county animal shelter in Carson where he reportedly had a list of would-be owners wishing to adopt him.

I'm not sure what happened, but somehow he never got taken home with anyone. So now Mr. Burns is with a group called PAL Rescue & Adoption in El Segundo (see him on their Web page) and he may be included in the organization's regular adoption event from 4 to 7 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Petsmart store at Plaza El Segundo, 730 S. Sepulveda Blvd. But since he had to be treated Wednesday for a minor toenail issue, he most likely won't be there until Friday's adoption (same time and place). Volunteers with the group can arrange for you to meet with the dog if you're interested in adopting him.  

You can also email them for an application at info@palrescue.org.

All types of cats and kittens will be available for adoption at the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals open house and fundraiser. Speakers at the event include an animal behavior specialist and an animal communicator. VCA Coast Animal Hospital, 1560 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

Parking is at the Hampton Inn next door. Call 310-379-1264.

We received an urgent message this week from the Harbor Animal Care Center. These dogs, we're told, are in urgent need of help, with many of them facing euthanasia within days or even hours. The shelter is at 957 N. Gaffey St., San Pedro. Phone: 310-548-2632.

To see other dogs, go to this shelter link.

FRANKIE - ID#A1053842 My name is Frankie and I am a neutered male, black and white Labrador Retriever and Boxer.  The shelter thinks I am about 1 year and 2 months old.I have been at the shelter since Aug 05, 2009. Frankie is a lovely, happy-go-lucky boy, who would be a wonderful companion.  He loves to go for walks and is very sweet and affectionate.  Losing Frankie would just be a tragedy!  He's a lovely boy!

DARLA - ID#A1057241 - REDLISTED My name is Darla and I am a spayed female, tricolor German Shepherd Dog and Collie - Rough.The shelter thinks I am about 8 years old. I have been at the shelter since Sep 25, 2009. She thinks she looks like Marilyn Monroe!!! Darla would like a quiet home with no children (or well-behaved children), please?  She just wants some peace and quiet and to get out of this shelter ASAP!  She still has a few pounds to lose, but with the right home, she'll have her figure back and be even more gorgeous!!! Loves to walk on the leash and enjoys socializing.

BEAR - ID#A0886096 - REDLISTED My name is Bear and I am a neutered male, brown and tan Border Collie mix. The shelter thinks I am about 3 years old. I have been at the shelter since Apr 15, 2009.

SNOWBALL - ID#A1062811 - REDLISTED My name is Snowball and I am an unaltered male, white American Pit Bull Terrier. The shelter thinks I am about 4 years old. I have been at the shelter since Sep 12, 2009.

This DOG - ID#A1065916 - REDLISTED I am an unaltered male, gray and white American Pit Bull Terrier mix. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years and 1 month old. I have been at the shelter since Sep 24, 2009

BENTLEY - ID#A1061235 GREEN LISTED My name is Bentley and I am an unaltered male, brown brindle Tibetan Terrier mix. The shelter thinks I am about 1 year and 6 months old. I have been at the shelter since Sep 05, 2009.   Bentley is not a rescue-only dog, but he needs to go to a place where people will help him overcome his fear.  There is no way he will be adopted from the shelter because he doesn't trust us and we can't show him, without dragging him out of cage.  He's too scared.  Please help this lovely, owner surrendered dog! He needs to get out right away!!!  His eyes say he wants to trust us, but he just can't yet and we all know a dog like this can only survive if a rescue has a foster who can help him - PLEASE? Bentley is in a kennel with other dogs, so we know he's fine to go to a home with other dogs. HELP???

BAXTER - ID#A1058706 My name is Baxter and I am a neutered male, brown Boxer mix. The shelter thinks I am about 4 years old.  I have been at the shelter since Aug 26, 2009. Happy, joyful, full of affection and energy!  Baxter will make a wonderful family dog, for a family who likes to go for walks and play a lot.  I had him out yesterday and he's a lovely dog, with a sweet personality! Appears to be good with other dogs.

TEX - ID#A1051398  - Yes, REDLISTED Tex is still at the shelter & time's running out for this affectionate little boy!  Please help him today????? My name is Tex and I am a neutered male, black and white Chihuahua - Smooth Coated mix. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years old. I have been at the shelter since Jul 28, 2009. The friendliest little guy you ever met!  Always tries to please.  Perhaps tries too hard and overdoes the enthusiasm!!!  He loves to be held and cuddled and is a lovely little fella!  Someone please help dear little Tex?

WALLY - ID#A1049669 My name is Wally and I am an unaltered male, fawn and white Pit Bull Terrier mix. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years and 2 months old. I have been at the shelter since Aug 18, 2009. Beautiful, magnificent, handsome pittie, who has a heart of gold!  Acts like a lab. Loves people, other dogs and tummy tickles!  Very trainable boy and looks like a MOVIE STAR!!!  HELP Wally, please?

If you can help any of these beautiful dogs, please contact the Harbor Shelter at 310-548-2632 957 North Gaffey Street San Pedro, CA 90731

HERCULES - ID#A0944314 REDLISTED - My name is Hercules and I am a neutered male, brown and black German Shepherd Dog mix. The shelter thinks I am about 1 year and 7 months old. I have been at the shelter since Sep 19, 2009.

We received another plea from a reader involved in animal rescue about a family of kitties who need homes.

There is the mom (about 1 year old, recently spayed -- brown tabby color, petite, "sweet"); and babies (8-9 weeks old with vouchers to be spayed or neutered at Clinico next to the Harbor Animal Care Center in San Pedro).

There are 2 gray kittens and 2 black kittens, male and female in each color.

If you're interested ("only responsible, loving, devoted people need inquire"), contact Lisa Petrich at detectivelp@msn.com or call 310-832-0006.

The babies (a gray one seems to be left out of this shot):

And mom: