Scratch This: Giving credit where it’s due
City employees credit union officer creates a giving campaign for Long Beach Animal Care Services. Plus, meet the pets who’ll give you returns on love.
Valerie Davis spent 23 years as an executive assistant in several Long Beach city departments, including Long Beach Police, Special Events and Filming, and most recently, Parks, Recreation and Marine. She loved working with her fellow employees, the volunteers and the community, and so when she “retired,” she made giving back to them part of her new career. In September, Long Beach Animal Care Services will be the beneficiary of an ongoing fundraiser she organized.
Yes, a wink at retirement — Davis wasn’t allowed to retire. She barely had a foot out the door at Parks and Rec when the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union called her with an offer of a position as business development officer. The LBCEFCU is a member-specific credit union serving city employees and volunteers who have completed the required Live Scan background checks.
“It was the perfect fit!” Davis said. “I loved all my city family so much that being able to work with city employees and provide them with info regarding their credit union benefits was important to me.”
When Davis worked for the city, she regularly took part in individual city departments’ community efforts such as taking books to kids at Miller Children’s Hospital, organizing dinners at Ronald McDonald House, and conducting a food campaign for Food Finders.
“That planted the seed to search for additional creative opportunities to assist our city employee members,” Davis said. “When I got to the LBCEFCU, I thought, how do I do something like that?” Davis said.
During her tenure at Parks and Rec, Davis worked extensively with LBACS and the community, particularly during an intense period when then-mayor Robert Garcia ordered a shelter audit, which resulted in the creation of the mayor’s Animal Task Force and the Compassion Saves model for saving animal lives.
“That whole time was so tumultuous — it felt like people wanted to accomplish the same mission but had very different views on how to get there,” Davis said. “That was very eye-opening for me. I’ve always had a tremendous respect for the employees and volunteers [at the shelter] because it’s a hard job. You’re not in the animal ‘business’ if you don’t have the heart for it.”
Last year, the LBCEFCU took a little red wagon loaded with a big lot of pet goodies to the shelter during an information day for the employees. Photo credit of Long Beach Federal Employees Credit Union
In her new position, Davis figured LBACS as a natural beneficiary for a community project. As a nonprofit, LBCEFCU doesn’t have a budget for charitable donations, so Davis got creative.
“We put ads in our lobby with QR codes for people to donate to Chewy and Amazon wish lists,” Davis said. “If members want to contribute cash, we put little bones on the wall, like in pet supply stores. We’re providing a way to do more for groups like LBACS, to make their jobs easier.”
Davis said that she hopes to connect with LBACS to participate in future events.
“LBACS was a natural for this program because all the employees want the best for their animals!” she said.
If you’re an LBCEFCU member, look for this poster in the lobby. Photo courtesy of Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union.
Yours drooly
The real recipients of the credit union’s benevolence are the pets ready to go home. Until mid-September, adoption fees are $25, and the shelter will waive fees for any pets who have been in the shelter more than 30 days, with the usual application process in place. Speed the process to adopt or foster any of the shelter 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.
The volunteers in the video with Caeser (yes, that’s how he spells it) love him — his gentle playfulness (except with stuffies!), his love of sitting quietly with his human buddies, his love of long walks and stopping to sniff anything sniffable. In September, Caeser will have been at the shelter exactly one year. He’s only 2 years old, but he’s been there half his life. He so deserves to celebrate the rest of his life in a loving, calm home where he can play and relax to his content. You can change his name, or at least the spelling! Ask for ID#A706758. Video courtesy of LBACS.
Rusty (ID#A713324) came to the shelter in January, when he was just a puppy. The Lab/pitty mix was brought in as a stray wandering the streets — no place for a baby to be. He’s fast become a shelter favorite, as you can see in the video. His tail just won’t stop wagging! Rusty is a year old now, but he’s still puppylike — he’s probably waiting for a forever home he can grow up in. How about yours?
Jelly (ID#A722966) is just as sweet as a cat with two eyes! Jelly, a 3 month old domestic shorthair, came to LBACS with a bad left eye, which had to be removed. But it hasn’t stopped her from living life to the fullest! She loves to play with the volunteers, and even when no one’s around, she has a blast. She’s a complete lovebug, too! Jelly’s in great health, eats well, and is ready to spread herself all over your lap!
Lilith (ID#A725955), the Grand Dame of Room 1 at the Cat Cottage, is a beautiful 7-year-old tortie. When she first arrived on July 31, she spoke with authority, meowing loudly and often to let us know she needed attention. She adores it when her "staff" lavishes her with attention and treats. Now that she's settled in, she isn't as verbal, but she does love company! She's not as playful as all her kitten neighbors since, according to medical, she has a heart murmur. But fear not — this majestic lady has many years ahead to enjoy lap time with anyone lucky enough to adopt her!