Rescue Ink Inc., the non-profit animal rescue organization that runs the Long Beach Animal Shelter, gave a short presentation on the refurbished shelter and answered questions on what they’ve done so far and where they plan to go. 

Founding member Joseph Panzarella (a.k.a. Joe Panz) told the audience at the Long Beach Public Library on Saturday that after six years, they reopend the shelter at 770 Park Pl. in November. “We are your shelter,” Panzarella said. “God willing, we hope you’ll support us.”

Panzarella noted that the shelter is still looking for volunteers to help socialize the abused animals. “The more the merrier,” he said.

If someone suspects animal abuse, he told the crowd, say something by calling the emergency hotline on the Rescue Ink website, which goes right to Panzarella’s cell phone, or call the shelter directly, where co-founder Johnny Orlandini (a.k.a. “Jonny O”) will answer their calls. 

“Jonny O is there all the time,” said Panzarella, who warned that the number must only be used for actual emergencies.

In the three months since Rescue Ink Inc. opened the shelter, they’ve had 17 cats adopted and two dogs. They recently received five nine-week-old puppies that were involved in a cruelty case. 

“Education is the key,” Panzarella said about prevent such a situation.

He said that not all of the animals come to the shelter through cruelty cases. “It’s often someone that has fallen on hard times,” he said, adding that in that situation the shelter can take the animal or sometimes help the owner out with food.

When an audience member asked if Rescue Ink has a wish list, Orlandini said they are looking to put a doghouse in each run outside. Some in the audience complained of feral cats in Long Beach. Panzarella said the shelter is working with the City of Long Beach's animal control officers on this issue. The best solution for feral cats is to trap, neuter and release them, he added.

Another person asked how they are running the shelter on an annual $15,000 stipend, when the City Council approved a one-year contract with Rescue Ink Inc. to reopen and run the city-owned shelter in June. Panzarella said they will rely on donations and merchandise sales through their website. 

“We run on a shoestring budget,” he explained. Johnny O said that although they are run by volunteers, “our place is spotless.”

Marlene Zaslasvsky, a member of Friends of the Library, an organization that raises money for the library, said she visited the shelter and was “impressed by the way it looks.”

Panzarella also spoke of the organization's campaigns to make animal cruelty a thing of past. In the last year, they have lobbied to increase the strength of Buster’s Law, which criminalizes the torture or killing of a pet. They hope to increase the penalty to four years in prison, a $25,000 fine, and mandatory psychiatric treatment for perpetrators, who will be put on a list to keep them from adopting animals.

Long Beach resident Fran Moss said Rescue Ink Inc. should get someone to volunteer to write grants for them, and fellow resident Barbara Mosca said she plans to help them raise funds. “The people of Long Beach are very generous,” she said.

Another resident, Barbara Masters, said, “Animal abuse needs to be controlled and if anyone can do it these guys can.”    

Long Beach Animal Shelter hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For information about volunteer work, call 516-665-9050 or email: rescueinkredemption@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome along with donations. There is also a 24-hour emergency line: 1-855-RSCINK (772-8465).