No matter how good a shelter is, it’s no place for a dog, especially a big and bighearted one like Peanut.Peanut, an American pit bull terrier, came to Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) over a year ago, which makes him one of the shelter’s longest-stay residents. When he first came, he was overwhelmed by the noise and strange smells and was terribly shy. But the staff and volunteers were determined to get Peanut out of his shell! They taught him commands like sit and stay, motivated him with treats, and took him on a recent photo shoot to Dogma Portraits. You can see his inner goo’ boi in the photo! Peanut also took a Fido Field Trip in a car driven by his friend volunteer Ellen — he had a wonderful time rolling in the grass and reveled in the quiet of an actual backyard! Life in a shelter kennel, said volunteer Nici, can make even the best dogs feel invisible, and Peanut has been overlooked too many times. It’s starting to weigh on his spirit. Please come in and meet Peanut—you’ll find that he’s not at all a tough nut to crack! The shelter’s way over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Peanut 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#A728674).

Hey, how’s the Webber out there? To be perfectly honest, not so good. This beautiful chow/terrier mix is great in the outdoors where he has something to do and can play with his human budds. But Webber’s playful nature gives way to anxiety in the kennels. This fella has to be where it’s natural for a 5-year-old doggie to be—in a home with humans who’ll love him. Can you adopt him or foster him for a while? We need to see a change in the Webber! The shelter’s way over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Webber 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#A741540.

Wanna play Frisbee? Or, more accurately, wanna play, Frisbee? Yes, punctuation can save lives, and Frisbee’s life needs saving. The handsome 2-year-old panda shepherd was brought to Long Beach Animal Care Services almost six months ago. He gets along great with other dogs in the play yard and romps happily with the volunteers when he’s out of the kennel. Sadly, Frisbee is riddled with shelter anxiety, and he needs out, and soon—he’s deteriorating and may not make it another month. Even a few weeks of fostering would be great for him. We guarantee that if you fall for Frisbee, it won’t be only for his good looks. Speed the process to adopt Frisbee 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#A738612.

We’ll make it simple—just follow the directions on Marigold’s vest! The 3-year-old German shepherd sported this sporty vest during a pack walk outside the shelter, and the volunteers found that she was great on a leash! Someone must have walked this sweet girl, but that someone couldn’t be located after Marigold was found wandering the sidewalk near a busy city street. Marigold needs someone who’ll not only take her on walks but will be as loyal to her as her breed is to humans. Speed the process to adopt Marigold 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#A736744.

“You could be happy here, I could take care of you. I wouldn’t let anybody hurt you. We could grow up together, E.T.” E.T. from the movie wound up going back to his planet, but our E.T. is waiting for his very own Elliott. He’s a beautiful, saucer-eyed gray tabby who was found as a stray on a Long Beach street. He was only 2 months old at the time. The street is no place for a kitten, no matter what galaxy they come from, and the person who found him knew where to take him—right to our shelter at Long Beach Animal Care Services. Because of his goofy looks, the staff named him E.T. E.T.’s a shy but sweet kitty, and was quick to learn what toys are for. Can you help him phone home? To adopt or foster E.T., email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call (562) 570-7387. Better yet, meet him 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. Ask for ID#747804.

Big Lou, Big Loooo—oooh! Big good Lou! Big Lou is a big sweetheart! Well, he’s not really big, but he’s really young — just under a year old. Lou loves lots of things: making eye contact with the human who’s walking him, the pool, toys and playgroups. He’s good with all his playgroup friends, and loves humans, too. Get some big love with Big Lou — he’s got it all! Speed the process to adopt or foster Big Lou 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#A744485.

Bandit is a jolly, big fellow who weighs in at 80 pounds. He was found as a stray last July. He’s been in a kennel for over a year now, and confinement is not in any way good for this particular Bandit. He’s a good boy — he’s been in playgroups at the shelter and does well with dogs of similar energy and playstyle. Despite his size, he strolls slowly on leash and rarely pulls his walker along. The volunteers say that this is rare for a husky who only gets walked every other day. Bandit’s been waiting so patiently for his forever home. He’s 4 years old — can you see to it that he gets to celebrate his fifth birthday? Speed the process to adopt or foster Bandit 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#A724562.