Recently in Peter Zippi Fund Category

Here it is, that time of year again. Already. 

The first of several pets-with-santa photo sessions takes place this Saturday (Nov. 21) to benefit the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals.

It all happens at the VCA Coast Animal Hospital, 1560 Pacific Coast Highway, in Hermosa Beach. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bring your pets to pose for a professional photo session with Santa. Photos can be loaded onto CDs or used to make unique, one-of-a-kind holiday greeting cards.

The $15 donation supports the Peter Zippi Fund's work with homeless animals.

 

I don't know who will be playing Santa. But good luck to you, sir.

 

(Photo from Dogster )

 

Blessing of the Animals ceremonies seem to be a growing trend in our pet-devoted culture. While the roots of the ceremonies are in Roman Catholicism, they are now increasingly being observed also by some Protestant churches and nondenominational faiths.

Many of the ceremonies occur this weekend because Oct. 4 is the traditional feast day for St. Francis of Assisi (1181/1182- Oct. 3, 1226), the founder of the Franciscans who also became known as the patron saint of animals.

There are three local ceremonies I know about this weekend, two in Torrance and one in Long Beach:

• First Lutheran Church & School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance: "Blessing God's Creatures," 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 3); free festival includes exhibits, demonstrations door prizes, free samples, refreshments, photo opportunities and a special blessing for each pet; also pet adoptions, with the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals  among the groups participating; all pets must be under owner's control -- leashes, harness, crates, etc. INFORMATION: www.faith-first.org; 310-320-9920, Ext. 101.
• Unity Church of South Bay, 2545 W. 237th St., Torrance; 10:30 a.m. Sunday (Oct. 4); non-denominational service devoted to the human-animal connection; each pet receives a certificate of blessing and a ribbon; pictures of pets can be brought as a substitute in cases where the animal is deceased or is not used to crowds; leashes and crates required for dogs and cats. INFORMATION and guidelines: 310-326-2760.
• Marine Stadium, 5225 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach; 10 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 3); 8th annual Blessing of the Animals (ceremony begins at noon) sponsored by Haute Dogs; includes a moment of silence for dogs involved in dogfighting rings and other abused animals; all "well-behaved pets, including exotic species that are legal to possess in the state of California" are welcome; ceremony free, other related events including a Cutest & Ugliest Dog contests and chihuahua beauty pageant require $20 admission. INFORMATION: www.BlessThePets.com.

 

 

 

 

 

I posted last weekend about the ongoing need for adoptions at the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals.

My friend Shirley, who with her neighbor does work with some of the feral cat colonies in their neck of the woods here in the South Bay, sent me this photo last night of some kittens they trapped & rescued in April and are now with Peter Zippi awaiting homes.

Lots more where they came from, too.

Click the link above for information on the regular adoption events sponsored by the Peter Zippi Fund in Hermosa Beach along with thumbnail photos and descriptions of the some 50 kittens and cats they have available. The economy, presumably, has really impacted the number of people coming in to adopt in the past month. But meanwhile, the kittens keep coming.

You can call them for an appointment at:310-379-1264.

As for the photo below, what is it about cats being allowed onto tables and counters? I once came home to find my large Australian shepherd mix Mercy standing right in the middle of my dining room table and it totally freaked me out!

And my question about these 4 kitties is what exactly the photographer said or did to get those intent looks?? A mouse danging by its tail? A piece of hot dog?

 

This is Chas. He's a brown tabby and is one of nearly 50 cats or kittens available for adoption through the Peter Zippi Fund for Animals.

The Hermosa Beach-based group has been inundated with cats that need new homes in the past couple weeks. They've experienced an influx of homeless animals along with a dearth of adoptions. 

Other cats available include Maya, a year-old cat, below. She was akin to a teen mom, according to

volunteers who took her in just before she delivered a litter of five kittens. Her kittens have all found homes, but mom still needs someone special to take her in. She's healthy, spayed, microchipped and is up to date on her vaccinations. She's also beautiful, as you can see.

 

 

And then there's Jerico, who was hit by a car when he was only four months old and wound up in

a Los Angeles city shelter. The folks from Peter Zippi got him out of the shelter and provided the surgery needed to fix his injuries (he'll be left with a slight limp, but otherwise is OK). Donations are still needed to cover the full cost of the surgery, however, and eventually Jerico also needs a home. He's a trooper, been through a lot.

And there are many, many more. Check out the Zippi web page for available cats, and if you can help, give them a call at 310-379-1264. Open adotpions are held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and from 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays at the VCA Coast Animal Hospital at 1560 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach.

But you can also call them for an appointment at other times.

 

Check out Sandy Mazza's Daily Breeze story today about the Best Friends Animal Society's adoption festival in Westchester on Sunday.

About 60 rescue groups displayed animals in cages and fenced areas.

Like the furry golden retrievers, howling beagles and small terriers at the event, thin-nosed, lanky greyhounds seemed more interested in other dogs than potential adopters.

The dogs tugged on their leashes and pressed against their enclosures to sniff or tempt one another with a chew toy.

It was a peaceful gathering, with most of the animals soaking up the attention.

The Peter Zippi Fund for Animals adopted out four kittens in the first hour of the afternoon event. The organization is located on the second floor of a Hermosa Beach veterinarian's office.

Leslie Neff, director of the fund, said cats are great companions.

"No matter how bad your day is, you come home and you've got a friend," Neff said. "But it's a 15- to 20-year commitment. Our most important thing (to allow an adoption) is that they understand cats. That they keep it indoors, and they're willing to make a commitment."