Infinite Love to host 6th Furbaby Lovefest

By Brett Callwood

On Sunday, October 5th, the Gardena City Hall Lawn will be the venue for the 6th annual Furbaby Lovefest, hosted by the Infinite Love Animal Rescue. The theme will be Under the Sea.

The event will be held between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., and is free to attend though donations are very welcome. Infinite Love is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

“Come join us for a FUNdraising event benefiting homeless animals by providing low-cost services, entertainment, and education for your furbabies,” they say. “You don’t need to bring a furbaby to join the fun.”

They say that well-behaved dogs on leashes, cats in carriers and children are welcome, while oceanic costumes are encouraged, so match the theme.

“We will have vendors, music, raffle, silent auction, free and low-cost animal services, pet adoptions, costume contest, music, and more,” they say. 

Meanwhile, there will be services available such as, “Free nail trims, ear cleaning, and anal gland expressions by Hectic Paws,” plus free and low cast services from Amazing Small Animal Practise.

In April, we wrote that Infinite Love was seeking funding, sponsorships, and partnerships so that it can continue saving animals in need of a new home. Founder and CEO Kandace Kuwahara does most of the work herself, due to the fact that the rescue center is a small operation, and she needs help.

“With rising costs of animal care and operations, the organization is seeking collaboration opportunities, media contacts, and any help that Kandace can get in order to grow the nonprofit organization,” a statement read. “As the nonprofit grows, more animals can be rescued, rehabilitated, and placed into loving permanent homes. Also, rescuing animals from homelessness, and getting them medical care to make sure they are healthy. Infinite Love Animal Rescue is dedicated to help animals emotionally, socially, and physically in order to transition animals to their forever homes. Kandace needs all the help that she can get in order to make the nonprofit successful and to save as many animal lives as possible.”

Infinite Love Animal Rescue was also in the GVN during the lockdowns in May 2020, when Kuwahara was making sure that pets weren’t neglected during a very difficult period.

“I was inspired when I read an article on people shopping for groceries for senior citizens who are on ‘shelter in place’ order,” Kuwahara told the GVN at the time. “And so the idea came to me that they would probably need pet food as well. I had a friend who had a difficult time finding pet food in the beginning of the ‘safer at home’ order and that’s how I came up with the idea.”

“It is heartbreaking to think that some people cannot afford to feed their furbaby, which is a reality people have to face, especially now,” she continued. “For the past month, I have been calling pet food manufactures asking for donations specifically for seniors with pets. I contacted Thomas Kang, retired Gardena police chief, asking if he can recommend anyone to help me distribute the food or any pet pantries that I can contribute too. He referred me to Jackie Arcos with Human Services at the City of Gardena. She said that they are in need of pet food for the senior meals program and emergency services program that supports people who (have pets and) are financially struggling.”

For more info, visit infiniteloverescue.org.