Doggie matchmaker's 500th Post!!!

I accidentally noticed today that this post would be the 500th post on this blog!! I also noticed that since it's inception in 2007, the blog has had almost 40,000 page views! Okay, some of those page views may include myself but no way did I look 40,000 times!! Come on, that's just cray cray...

I want to express my thanks and gratitude to everyone who has participated in this blog, providing content, photos, shares and all the love that it takes to volunteer at shelters and rescue animals! I love you all! 

Special shout out to Mirja Bishop, the amazing lady who writes all the wonderful copy for the West LA flyers! She really goes the extra mile in all she does for the shelter.  :-)

Thank you!!!

Okay, tell me this guy isn't a cutie pie! He's at the West LA shelter right now!! Please network him!

Spring is here! Feral cats & dogs for adoption.

photo from www.lynchburghumansociety.com

Spring...

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. I do love to enjoy the outdoors and see all the animal activity going on as birds build nests and everyone emerges from their long winter hibernation... Okay, well maybe not so much in LA, but I guarantee that it is going on all around us.

For example, our dear feral cats have done their mating and are now nesting... I just caught two pregnant feral cats that have been living around my property. I will have both cats fixed when they are done nursing, socialize the kittens, have the kittens fixed and find them homes. The queens will be set free back onto my property once again but at least I will know that we won't have anymore kittens that would probably either end up as coyote food or hit by a car.

I love my feral kitties as they keep the rodents at bay which is a real service if you ask me. They are beautiful to look at and seem so grateful for the meals I provide. I look forward to many more years enjoying their presence and I am so glad that there will be no more kittens!

I found a great site called Indy Feral that can give you answers about pretty much everything to do with feral cats! They also have articles from lots of other organizations like the Feral Cat Coalition.  I will keep you posted on how things go with my ferals and their litters as things progress.

Now here are a couple of cuties who need homes. Both are sweet and friendly and get along with each other too! Please network these cuties!

The WLA 3 pack, they are 3 great dogs that are waiting and waiting and waiting... Hurry!!!

Three love bugs who happened to be Pitties at the West LA Shelter

All three of these dogs need homes as soon as possible especially Hiro as he has been there the longest. Please network them! Thanks so much!

Spread the word for 4 swell dogs available at WLA now!

Two great dogs on alert at WLA Shelter NOW.

Let's start the New Year right and make sure these dogs are safely out of the shelter!

Two great ways to celebrate the holidays, adopt a shelter dog.

Wow! So far it has been a stellar December at the West LA shelter with many larger dogs finding homes for the holidays. That is wonderful news! 

Yet, there are always more dogs (and cats) who are slipping through the cracks and are patiently waiting for a new home. If you are thinking of adding a pet to your family, now is the time to save a dog or cat from your local shelter. Shelters are FULL during the holidays and  they desperately need your kindness to get through this season. 

If you can't adopt consider fostering. You can also volunteer, donate/sponsor a dog or cat. 

Please, reach out to your local shelter and help. Happy Holidays!

http://www.laanimalservices.com

Some AMAZING dogs looking for a home by Xmas!

Arnie and Ziggy, both need homes and help!

Arnie and Ziggy are 2 dogs that were rescued from a sad situation. They've been living in kennels for the last year, a step up from their original arrangements, but not they need to move on due to their caretaker's illness.

These wonderful dogs need your help. Please network them and disseminate their flyers to anyone who may be looking for a new love in their life.  Thanks!

URGENT! Sonora doesn't deserve for the shelter to be her last home.

Please Network Sonoma!!! She's in trouble, out of time and needs to be rescued ASAP!

Jeeze, what's a pittie gotta do...? How 'bout Cipher A1338732!!!!

Arnie & Ziggy: 2 great dogs that are great together...or apart

 Arnie

 Ziggy

These two dogs were rescued by a kind-hearted person who already had a houseful of animals and was struggling with her own problems. Yet, she gave them the very best of everything and did all she could to give these dogs a great quality of life for the past year or so.  The dogs are up to date on shots and both are fixed. Unfortunately, she can no longer provide for these lovely dogs due to her on-going illness.

Both dogs came from a very sad situation where they were tethered and left outside with no food or water all day and night.  Her rescuer saw what was happening and convinced the person to give her the dogs. What originally started as being a "foster" situation, ended up in what is now an urgent situation.

First, Arnie is a medium size Shepherd mix as you can see from his distinguished profile.  He is a playful boy with lots of energy.  He loves to bug Ziggy (which she tolerates nicely) and he also enjoys toys and raw bones.  He loves to go on walks and is a friendly boy overall.  He can seem a little tentative at first meetings but then warms right up.

Ziggy is the "brains" of this duo. She is a very smart and confident dog. She has some obedience training which she seems to enjoy performing. She is a relaxed dog with a good temperament. She's strong though and needs someone who can keep up with her.

If you know anyone interested in either dog or both, please contact Lola4dogs@gmail.com right away!

Thank you so much.

National Dog Day, help your local shelter dog!

Hey!  I just found out that today is National Dog Day! www.nationaldogday.com

How to celebrate:

Lots of sweet doggies waiting for homes at West LA right now. Why not save a life and adopt from your local shelter.  If not, you can do a lot of things to help the dogs at the shelter like volunteering or donating. As a volunteer you can do different types of activities with all the animals be they cats, dogs or rabbits. The activity can be as simple as walking a dog.  Inside and outside of the shelter there are adoption events where you can help people choose a shelter dog.  You can photograph shelter dogs, write about them, spread the word through social media, etc.  Donations can be money, items that the animals need, or donating your time to help keep the shelter going. There are tons of opportunities to contribute and I can assure you that you will feel really good about doing it. Animals have no voice, we are their voice.

You can get started immediately by helping me right now. Just tell everyone you know about these dogs! Happy National Dog Day everyone!! www.laanimalservices.com

Tank A1230660 & Bobby A0903035, dogs who need homes NOW!

Tank & Bobby are living on borrowed time! They are both VERY friendly, dog friendly and would make a great companion. They have been at the shelter for far too long and they may die there. Why are they not being adopted? Bobby is a big black dog and Tank is a Pit Bull, nuff said... If you can help them, PLEASE, now is the time! You won't be sorry! Happy July 4th!

Looking for a dog friendly dog? Meet Princess & Bobby at WLA shelter now!

People are always looking for dog-friendly dogs, right?  Whether you want a friend for your dog-friendly pooch or maybe you want to frequent the dog park, or your mom has a friendly Fido... Whatever the reason there is nothing bad about a dog-friendly dog. West LA is full of dogs who desperately need a home and are also very friendly with other dogs, so rather than looking through Craigslist, just mosey over to the WLA shelter and meet these terrific dogs who are both people friendly AND doggy friendly!!!! 

ROYAL (ANIMAL ID#A1262078)

On death row, scheduled to be killed on FEB 10. No more reprieves for this boy.

Royal, about 15 months old, is a neutered male fawn Staffordshire Bull Terrier. He ended up at the WLA Shelter on Nov. 2nd as a stray.  Shortly after, a stranger walked up to his kennel door and stuck his arm in so Royal growled and barked at him -- he didn't bite, but he certainly told the man he didn't appreciate his gesture (like people, dogs don't like everyone they meet).  Royal was taken to Isolation and that's where he has lived for almost his entire stay at the shelter.

Shelter staff take Royal out when they can and he got out to run and play with a female PB not too long ago and they had a great time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LojLLOj7Rws



He is STRONG, loves to play, corrects easily (from both human and dog), and sits on command. No reported aggression toward male or female staff at the shelter.

Did Royal get a bad rap for an isolated incident? Meet Royal and judge for yourself!

Please contact Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR
West LA City Shelter, 310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5
11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  ani.newhopewla@lacity.org

Chanel has already been through so much! After surviving her ordeal, I can't even imagine that this wonderful girl could be near death's door once again!  Chanel has been at the WLA shelter a very long time and the clock is winding down for her. Please help Chanel find a home and finally be out of harm's way!

Sweet Sui A0921322 wonders why...

Sui ID#A0921322

There's a sadness in Sui's brown eyes as she gazes at you through the bars of her run.  Sui is a 9 yr. old black brindle and white spayed Pit Bull Terrier. 

Sui remembers when she was at the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter 3 years ago. She was adopted by a family and it was everyone's hope that this would be the forever home that she longed for. Unfortunately for Sui it did not turn out that way. She was returned to the shelter by her owners on August 4, 2011.  No reason was given. She didn't do anything wrong. Perhaps they just didn't want an older dog.  Sadly this happens much too often!

Sui is a sweet, gentle dog who walks well on leash.  She delights in playing in the plastic swimming pool that is set up in the yard.  She walks in it, sits in it and lies down in it.  It brings a smile to everyone's face as they watch her run around the yard with the energy of a young dog and then take a flying leap into the pool. The look of sheer joy on her face is hard to miss. 

Sui thought that she had her forever home but life dealt her a nasty blow and so here she is back at the shelter again, 3 yrs. older and probably 10 lbs. heavier. She's a good dog.  She was always a good dog.  She didn't do anything wrong.  She needs the love and commitment from a special person who will see what a truly special dog she is.

Please help Sui.  She needs a forever home for the remaining years of her life. She's a happy dog who loves life and will bring some lucky person great joy. -- Mirja Bishop

West LA City Shelter  310-207-3266  Tues-Sat 8-5,  Sun 11-5 

11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 

Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR

213-485-0494 / CELL  213-792-5811  aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

Beautiful Simone A1138137: a great girl OUT of time at West LA

SIMONE- A1138137

In shelters across the country black dogs have a difficult time finding forever homes. "Black dog syndrome" where people attach superstitious beliefs onto dogs like Simone results in these dogs frequently being the first ones to be euthanized. Simone is a great BLACK dog who deserves a good life. She is a 6 yr. old spayed American Staffordshire bull terrier who was found as a stray on August 1, 2010 and now calls the West Los Angeles Animal Shelter her home.

The volunteers who have worked with Simone have nothing but good things to say about her. She is described as being very attentive. She responds well to voice commands. She likes her treats and knows "sit and come". She walks well on leash and loves to play fetch. She is the happiest in the play yard where she can run and be free for a few brief moments. She has met both large and small dogs and has been fine with them. She was recently shown to two different families with children and did very well with both an 8 yr. old and a 10 yr. old child.

A "very great dog" was the comment made by one of the volunteers. Simone would fit into just about any kind of family situation. She is a sweet, friendly, loving dog who happens to be black. Finding a "forever home" before her time at the shelter runs out is her fervent wish and one that everyone who knows Simone hopes comes true.

West LA City Shelter 310-207-3266 Tues-Sat 8-5, Sun 11-5 11361 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 Contact: Samantha Westbrook, NEW HOPE COORDINATOR213-485-0494 / CELL 213-792-5811 aninewhopewla@lacity.org.

A1145097 - Tulip, 8 year old, spayed, Boxer / Staffy Mix. VERY SAD

TULIP'S FOSTER FELL THROUGH!!!! WE WERE INFORMED LATE LAST NIGHT THAT TULIP'S FOSTER WAS IN A BAD CAR ACCIDENT AND SHE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FOSTER TULIP.

A1145097 - Tulip, 8 year old, spayed, Boxer / Staffy Mix.



This poor dog was ALMOST OUT OF THE SHELTER but when we went to pull her they found a micro chip! So Tulip was put on hold while they tried to contact her former owner's. But the numbers were disconnected, mail returned and no one that we can find missing Tulip....now that she is available to be pulled her foster falls through!!! On top of it, WLA has a temporary moratorium volunteers walking dogs over 20 lbs so while already stressed, you can imagine what she's going through now. The new hope coordinator at WLA Stated:

SHE IS EXTREMELY STRESSED, LICKING THE BARS OF HER CAGE ALL DAY EVERYDAY. TULIP IS A VERY SWEET AND HAPPY DOG....THEY'VE LISTED HER AS 8 BUT SHE TRULY SEEMS 4-5 AT MOST. SHE HAS A LOT OF LIFE IN HER BUT NO PLACE TO LIVE IT. PLEASE PLEASE CROSSPOST AND NETWORK THIS SWEETHEART!!!

THE ONLY REASON TULIP IS STILL ALIVE AT WLA IS BEAUSE THE SHELTER WAS GRACIOUS ENOUGH TO WAIT WHILE WE ORGANIZED LOGISTICS....BUT NOW WE ARE BACK TO SQUARE ON! TULIP IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF A RESCUE OR PRIVATE ADOPTER!!!!



Samantha Westbrook
New Hope Coordinator / Baby Bottle Coordinator
West Los Angeles Animal Care Center
11361 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles CA 90064
Shelter: 213 485 0494/ 0495/ 0496
Cell: 213 7925811
ani.newhopewla@lacity.org
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 7am - 4pm
Thursday 6.30am - 3.30pm