Rescue Ink Prepares for ‘Smooth Transition’ with Animal Shelter

Written by Matthew Hogan

Rescue Ink will continue to operate the Long Beach Animal Shelter until at least October, according to multiple sources.

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Despite recent rumors that Rescue Ink had parted ways with the City of Long Beach Animal Shelter months before its contract expired, Gordon Tepper, director of communication for the City of Long Beach, confirmed that the non-profit organization is still running the shelter, located at 770 Park Place in the North Park neighborhood.

Rescue Ink spokesman Larry Wolfe said that the organization’s contract with the city is up on Oct. 16, but nothing has been determined beyond that date.

At this time, it is unknown whether or not Rescue Ink will sign another contract with the city to run the animal shelter beyond mid-October. However, Wolfe said that his organization is taking a “proactive approach” in smoothing over the Oct. 16 transition — should there be one — for the animals’ sake.

"Our relationship with the city is still good,” Wolfe told Patch. "... Everything here is going in a positive direction, with us and with the city."

A press release from Rescue Ink read that the organization was “ready to transfer the municipal shelter back to the city.” The “transfer,” however, was not to take place immediately.

A revised release from Rescue Ink changed out the transfer line for “the municipal shelter is once again open and functioning to serve the Long Beach community” to alleviate any confusion.

The initial release prompted speculation from Long Beach residents as to whether the organization had been evicted by the city and, if so, on what grounds?

The speculation included living conditions of the animals, as well as what has been done with funds raised by the organization. The fundraising aspect was fueled by the May arrest of Rescue Ink co-founder John Orlandini, who was charged with stealing more than $15,000 from Rescue Ink.

Wolfe said the speculation was just that, and described the recent allegations against Rescue Ink as “outlandish.”

"We welcome anybody who would want to come to the shelter and see how clean it is, how we interact with the animals,” Wolfe said. “... We're tired of people lambasting us for things that just aren't true."