A New Lap of Luxury for Dogs

An estimated 500 people and pets were on hand Friday for the opening of a new, state-of-the-art animal shelter in Long Beach.

The P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village and Education Center is believed to be the first animal control facility created jointly by a city and a private agency, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles.

The center in El Dorado Park is named after “P.D.,” the Yorkshire terrier owned by Philip D. Pitchford of Rolling Hills Estates, an investment banker who donated $1 million to jump-start construction of the 6.5-acre facility.

“P.D. loves the center,” Pitchford said. “He’s spoiled and courageous.”

Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the first phase of construction for Pitchford Animal Village, which cost $6 million.

Pitchford made the donation nearly a year ago while meeting the SPCA board at a restaurant. Board members were speechless and reduced to tears when he presented them with a million-dollar check on the spot, he said.

The center’s seven kennels, training field, auditorium and pet supply store will be complimented in the second phase of construction by boarding facilities for pets whose owners are on vacation as well as a fully stocked veterinary hospital and two “doggy day-care buildings,” said society Vice President Dave Havard.

The larger, more posh animal shelter will help the city of Long Beach find more homes for stray dogs, Havard said.

Pitchford joined actress Betty White and Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill in the ceremony Friday. A capital campaign is to begin soon for the $4 million needed for the center’s second construction phase.

“I really hope that the number of animals euthanized in Long Beach can get down near zero” with the new center, Pitchford said. “If it catches hold, [the center] could be an incredible union of two groups to help reduce the stray animal population.”

The opening events continue today with free vaccinations and grooming sessions, an official said.