LONG BEACH | 18TH ANNUAL
Bring Your Pets to the FREE Interfaith Blessing of the Animals this Sun., Oct. 6, 2019

BLESS THE PETS, Sun., Oct. 6, 2019, at sunset (procession begins at 5:40 PM) at 1 Granada Ave., Belmont Shore in Long Beach, 90803, next to Rosie's Dog Beach, on the concrete boat launch ramp overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The Interfaith Blessing of the Animals is FREE and presented by Haute Dogs and Justin Rudd.

Seniors, families, singles, and children, were encouraged to bring their dogs, cats, birds, lizards, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, fish, tortoises and turtles and other well-behaved pets. We also host some farm animals at this event, including horses, ponies, lambs, an alpaca, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens. DETAILS

Operation Santa Paws starts Dec. 1. Can you help collect?

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED for the holiday toy/treat/supplies collection drive for shelter/rescue dogs and cats.  If you, your company or your organization would like to become a part of Operation Santa Paws, please contact the organizer at Justin@JustinRudd.com, and he can e-mail you a pdf file for the poster (or click the logo at left to download a poster) that you can print and place on a cardboard box(es) or large plastic tub for a drop box that you can place in your office, at a pet store, veterinarian office, church, school, etc.  Be sure to include the exact business name, address, and phone of where your box(es) will be so we can list it below.

Then invite your friends, family, co-workers, etc. to put new toys and bags of treats in the box/tub.  You can also contact your local newspapers and other media outlets and let them know what you are doing and ask them to help you get the word out.

And, when you are finished collecting goods at your location on the date you choose, you can deliver your collected items to your favorite shelter or drop the goods at one of our major drop-off locations (in the Los Angeles/Orange County area) listed below where we'll pick it up and deliver to various local shelters and rescues on the Saturday before Christmas. DETAILSat www.SantaPaws.info.

click above to view photos

Rain or Shine: Contests for all breeds and mixes on Sun., Feb. 9



Marine Stadium, 5225 Paoli Way, Long Beach, 90803 MAP

Sponsors include Councilwoman Suzie Price's office and Port of Long Beach.

- 9:40 AM: Best Dog with a Disability (all breeds/mixes; i.e. blind, deaf, wheelchaired, three-legged, etc.)
- 10 AM: National (English) Bulldog Beauty Contest
- 11 AM: Best Jr. Handler, generally for kids ages 8-16 and their dogs
- 11:15 AM: Best Senior Dog (all breeds/mixes, ages 7+)
- 11:30 AM: Best Young Dog (16 weeks to 1 year; all breeds/mixes)
- 11:45 AM: Most Handsome Dog (all male dogs; all mixes/breeds)
- 12 PM: Prettiest Dog (all female dogs; all mixes/breeds)
- 12:15 PM: French Bulldog Beauty Contest
- 12:40 PM: Cutest Dog (all breeds/mixes)
- 12:50 PM: Best Costume/Outfit on a dog (all breeds/mixes)
- 1 PM: National Mutt Show (all mixed breeds)
- 1:15 PM: Best Smile (all breeds/mixes) 
- 1:30 PM: Best in Show (all breeds/mixes) 
- 1:50 PM: Best Legs (all breeds/mixes)
- 2 PM: Best Small Dog (generally 20 lbs. or less and/or shorter than 16 inches; not puppies)
- 2:10 PM: Best Large Dog (generally 60+ lbs.)
- 2:20 PM: Most Photogenic (all breeds/mixes)
- 2:30 PM: Best Ears (all breeds/mixes)
- 2:40 PM: Best Butt (all breeds/mixes)
- 2:50 PM: Best Tail (all breeds/mixes)

Win gift baskets, framed winner's certificates, blue ribbons, and bragging rights for a year!

Adoption fair, food trucks and vendors begin at 9:30.
Students: Will You Make a Valentine's Card for a Shelter Dog, Cat or Rabbit by Sat., Feb. 8?

CONTEST is Sat., Feb. 8, 11 a.m. - noon, Long Beach Animal Care Services and HAUTE DOGS, and Justin Rudd are sponsoring the 8th annual handmade Valentine's card contest for Long Beach-area students (K-12) to create lovable Valentine's cards for the 120+ dogs, 50+ cats and rabbits housed at the Long Beach Animal Care Services shelter. Hundreds of cards were submitted last year.

CARDS from adults are encouraged, too, but will not be judged in the contest. Rudd says, "There are hundreds of dogs and cats in our city who are looking for love and affection while waiting for forever homes. Let's show them our love this season. We encourage classrooms, scout groups, church youth groups, and other organizations to create cards for the animals."

Cards should be received at Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90808. Students should place their name, grade level, teacher's name and school name on the very back of the card. Cards will not be returned.

WIN A PIZZA PARTY! The student who crates the winning card will receive a pizza party for their friends, classroom or group (up to 30 people). Judging will take into consideration the grade level of the student, and will be based on creativity, originality, and first impression. The folded cards should not exceed 5x7, and should not include any particular animal’s name. Volunteers will randomly assign a card to an animal’s kennel. The goal is to get at least one card per animal that will be attached to each pet's kennel through the Valentine's Day week.

YAPPY HOUR: In addition to the regular shelter hours, the public is invited to come view the cards and their creators, spend time with the animals and "fall in love" during a special Yappy Hour where drinks and cookies will be served to human guests, soft love songs will be playing, the shelter animals will receive special Valentine's goodies, and awards will be announced for the best Valentine's cards.

Justin Rudd and the Miss Long Beach and Miss Southern California Cities titleholders will also be hosting the event and contest. The Yappy Hour will surely allow visitors time to find a 4-legged sweetheart to love.

Regular hours for the shelter are Wed. thru Fri. 10 AM to 5:30 PM and Sat. thru Sun. from 10 AM to 4 PM The shelter is closed Mon. and Tues.

Direct any questions to Justin@JustinRudd.com. Visit the shelter online at http://longbeach.gov/acs

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