By Nick Diamantides
Staff Writer
There’s a new hotel in town, but don’t try to check in unless you’re a dog, a cat or a rabbit. The hotel is actually the recently completed boarding facility on the 6.5-acre campus of the P.D Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center, which is located in Long Beach’s El Dorado Park.
The pet hotel has 19 dog kennels, and 28 “cat condos” that can also accommodate rabbits. All the facilities have heated floors, and the kennels have indoor and outdoor runs. The cat section has an atrium where cats can play. The boarding facility is operated by spcaLA–the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that is headquartered in Los Angeles.
Because it is operated by the organization, only active spca donors may bring their pets to the hotel. To be an active donor, you must have donated a total of $75 to spcaLA within the 12 months prior to the first day of boarding. Fees are $35 per night for dogs, and $15 a night for cats and rabbits with reduced fees for additional pets brought by the same person.
For the health and safety of the pets, all animals must be current on their vaccinations before being accepted into the hotel. In addition, one week before the boarding begins, owners must provide written proof that a licensed veterinarian has administered the vaccinations.
Dogs must be current on rabies, DHLPP and Bordetella. Cats must be current on FVRCP and rabies. Pet hotel staff recommend making reservations one month in advance of the drop-off date.
The pet hotel also provides self-service pet bathing facilities (raised stainless steel tubs) and professional grooming services for all dog and cat owners–even those who do not use the boarding facilities.
In addition, spcaLA operates a pet-supply store in the same building as the hotel. Open to the general public, it carries organic dog and cat food with competitive prices, a full line of shampoos, conditioners, de-shedding and flea treatments, treats, toys and other pet accessories. All profits from the hotel, the grooming facilities and the pet-supply store are funneled back into spcaLA programs.
“We are a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and we do not get government funding,” said Madeline Bernstein, spcaLA president. “Our whole operation depends on the generosity of our donors, but we also try to create a little revenue generation to sustain the organization.”
Bernstein explained that the spcaLA operates several programs in its Long Beach Animal Village and education center, which is also where the Long Beach Animal Control Shelter is located. Working with city animal control staff, spcaLA runs the shelter’s adoption program, trying to find new homes for as many pets as possible.
Although the spcaLA is well known for its adoption efforts, it also offers a variety of classes and lectures that do not get much publicity. The organization’s educational department provides training to humane and animal control officers as well as regular law enforcement officers–preparing them to identify and handle cruelty-to-animal cases. It also explains the importance of being kind to animals to tourist groups from around the world and offers pet training and agility classes to pet owners.
Bernstein noted, however, that one of the organization’s most important educational outreaches is its kindness-to-animals class, which it teaches to at-risk youth. “It’s really an anti-violence toward people class that uses animals to generate empathy,” she said. “I call it the cure for violence against people because the missing ingredient of violent felony offenders is empathy.”
Bernstein explained that the class is taught in the Animal Village education center building, as well as in local public school facilities. “The program is so successful that we actually market it,” she added. “It’s being taught in several states, Australia, Canada and England.”
The Animal Village opened in 2001 and has been gradually expanding its scope of services ever since then. Bernstein noted that spcaLA ‘s vision for the village is to make it a one-stop shop that provides supplies, grooming and boarding, while increasing society’s awareness of the importance of being kind to animals. “It’s not just the right thing to do,” she said. “Society has a vested interest in making sure that we are mentoring compassion and empathy to all living things–animals as well as people.”
The P.D Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Although it’s in El Dorado Park, you don’t have to pay a parking fee as long as you follow the signs that lead to the Village. For more information, phone (562) 570-3079.
