Looking at Tallulah, you’d never imagine that this lovely, steel-gray pittie was once an emaciated stray who was afraid of her own shadow. When she was brought to Long Beach Animal Care Services six months ago, she seemed like a hopeless case. However, the word “hopeless” is not in the vocabulary of either the shelter staff or the volunteers, and Tallulah got a lot of hopeful attention and training. No one knew whether she’d ever been on a leash, but now, she walks like a dream. She may never have played with toys, but she sure knows what to do with them! She may never have experienced human love, but that’s certainly changed. The volunteers adore her, and it’s mutual! Sadly, Tallulah is showing signs of shelter stress. She needs a forever home where she can fully shine or at least a few weeks of fostering, especially now, during the “fireworks season.” Fostering during this time makes room for a lost, frightened dog at the shelter and at the same time give a good, deserving dog a break from the shelter! Adopt Tallulah by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Better yet, meet her in person. 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). Ask for ID#A755826.

The blissful look in Minerva’s milk-chocolate eyes expresses her pleasure at being taken for a visit to volunteer Jessica’s house. There, she played unfettered for a while and took time to smell the flowers. Wouldn’t that be great if Minerva could have a situation like that forever? Even a foster situation would be great. Minerva’s only 3, and everyone at Long Beach Animal Care Services loves her and her calm vibe. Volunteer Bev said that she waits calmly to be leashed, exits her kennel without trying to get at her neighbors, and walks gently by her walker’s side. She takes treats with great finesse and enjoys being petted all over. She doesn’t react to other dogs, and as for the occasional lizard that runs across her path—meh. Minerva would rather walk and sniff absolutely everything she comes across. When it’s time to go back into her kennel, Minerva seems fine with that, too. Wouldn’t you love someone in your life who’s that agreeable? Long Beach Animal Care Services is over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Minerva or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our 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). Ask for ID#A757615.

Rosco as you can see, is quite fond of stepping out on the town! Here he is, dressed to impress for a formal, leash-required gala. Just last week, he was volunteer Cheryl’s date at the Long Beach’s Favorite Pet event at Rec Park. Rosco posed for photos and pets in front of Long Beach Animal Care Services’ Adoption Waggin’ hoping that he’d get the chance to be someone’s favorite pet forever and ever. Rosco is a 3-year-old Akita-mastiff mix who’s as handsome as he is good-natured. He’s meant to be loved and coddled in a home. How about yours? Long Beach Animal Care Services is over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Roscoe or any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Our 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). Ask for ID#A755802.

Poppy was a late Christmas “gift” to Long Beach Animal Care Services this past December. Her nose was swollen and painful, and her human couldn’t take care of her, so they sadly surrendered her. But the shelter vets knew what to do! After ruling out cancer, the cause of the swollen nose was determined to be a bug bite, so Poppy got her treatment and a spay procedure, too. She’s now a healthy 4-year-old girl who needs a real home. Poppy has some kennel stress, so she lives in the screened cattery where volunteer Janet says she enjoys the sunshine and breezes. How about making it Christmas in June for Poppy? To adopt or foster Poppy, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call (562) 570-7387. Better yet, meet her in person at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, at entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). Visiting hours are Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 

Have we seen Theodore before? As one of the several versions of Pete the Pup on the Our Gang series? Nah, he’s way too young, but if they did another revival, Theodore would have saved the studio some money—that circle around his eye is natural and not enhanced with a makeup brush! Besides, Theodore has his own star quality. Volunteers find him easy to walk—he comes out of the kennel “like a gentleman,” as volunteer Gusti said, and follows the walker’s guidance well. Theodore takes treats gently and also loves a good chill-out. Volunteer Stefanie often sees him lounging on his back in his kennel or playing with his empty food bowls “like a giant puppy.” In a forever home, Theodore is certain to steal every scene, just like Pete the Pup did! Adopt or foster Theodore by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. 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). Ask for ID#A753409.