Piglet has taken over as longest-stay dog at our shelter at Long Beach. The little guy was found as a frightened puppy about a year and a half ago and was brought to the shelter to be among friends. Piglet literally grew up at the shelter. At first, he was too terrified to even walk around, but he made friends fast. He enjoyed the cuddles that volunteers offered him, and had fun in the play yard with friendly dogs. He’s also become a regular clothes horse—or is that pig? However, as one of the staff said, “Piglet finds himself as just another big gray pit waiting for someone to pick-a-piglet as their new BFF.” When he ultimately developed kennel stress. volunteers took him on overnights to teach him what a home was, and he did so well that he’s now in foster care. If you or someone you know would like to show him what a forever home is, Piglet will say, “Oinks a lot!” The shelter’s way over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Piglet 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#A728690.

Want a challenge? We present RJ, a glossy, black kitten. He had been adopted previously but became ill in his new home, so his owners returned him. The veterinarians found out that he’s FIV-positive, which means that he has a virus that affects his immune system. RJ grew up in an isolation ward at Long Beach Animal Care Services without much interaction or socialization, but he’s fine now. However, he never learned how to be a kitten~ The volunteers are working patiently and lovingly with RJ. and we know he really, really wants to be a good boy! RJ would be great as a solo cat—FIV can be transferred through a bite, but FIV-positive cats can live full lives if their symptoms are managed. RJ’s only 9 months old—he deserves to live the rest of his good life in a loving home. To adopt or foster RJ, email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process, or call (562) 570-7387. Better yet, pay a personal visit to our shelter, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach (at entrance to El Dorado Park, no parking fee for shelter guests). Ask for ID#A745252.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Paisley is a good, good girl! She recently took a Fido Field Trip with shelter volunteer Patti, and she was a model passenger once Patti helped her get her rear end into the car. But Paisley’s no lazybones (hey, did someone say “Bones”?)—the field trip included a trip to the Zoom Room where she played like a puppy, and she sure loved the double-double Puppy Patty that Patti (no pun intended, and no bun with the patty) got for her. Paisley loves her walks and has been taking off a few pounds to remain fit. She’d love to run after a squirrel, too, so her human must be mindful! Paisley is 3 years old and has been at the shelter for about 10 months, and today is Friday the 13^th. How about throwing some good luck her way? Speed the process to adopt or foster Paisley 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#A739902.

Long Beach Animal Care Services volunteers often select dogs to participate in Fido Field Trips. These involve taking the lucky pups out into the community to enjoy a day walking around the street on a leash, maybe go pick up a Pup Patty at In-N-Out, and best yet, spend time at the volunteer’s home so the doggie can remember what it was like not to be cooped up in a kennel! These little trips give the dog time out from the shelter and make them visible to people who might stop and say, “Oh, what a sweet, well-behaved dog! Where could I get one just like it?” Holly, seen here napping on a rug on volunteer Metzli’s sunlit patio, so enjoyed her Fido Field Trip! Metzli said that Holly couldn’t get enough sniffing at the park, and after all the activity, she conked out on the couch next to Metzli. Holly is only 3 years old and would love to make this type of day one of many in a forever home. Want to get a dog just like her—entirely her, in fact? Speed the process to adopt or foster Holly 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#A740671.

Whoever took this photo of Ranger captured him perfectly. What a loveable goofball! Ranger is an adorable year-old German shepherd/houn’ dog mix with semaphore ears. He’s been at the shelter since August. He was very shy when he came to Long Beach Animal Care Services, but he’s made up for lost time! Ranger has a ton of friends at the shelter, both human and canine—his favorite thing to do when he’s out for playtime is dog-paddle in the play yard pool. But when the volunteers and staff go home, he has to go back into the kennel and spend the night alone. Ranger should not be the Lone Ranger. Can you be his forever buddy? Long Beach Animal Care Services is over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Ranger or any of our other pets 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#A747689.

Tux, true to his name, has not removed his New Year’s Eve glad rags, even down to his white gloves and spats! Tux is hoping that he still has a chance to celebrate the new year in a home with a human or a family of his very own. The volunteers love him and say that he’s a great dog. He’s just had his neuter and is learning his leash manners quite well! Tux is only 8 months old, so he has lots of new years ahead of him. Can you make them happy ones? The shelter’s way over capacity with dogs, so speed the process to adopt or foster Tux 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#A753234.