Our Programs
The Diesel Project and K9 Kismet Amigos are two programs that were born from of the needs of the community. Please read more about how we’re approaching animal rescue in today’s world.
The Diesel Project was created to help shelter dogs who are struggling with life in a kennel. Through the program, each dog is paired with a professional trainer who will get to know them, provide a thorough assessment, and build a personalized four-to-six-week board and train plan just for them. The goal is simple. Help the dogs decompress, build healthier habits, and learn the skills they need to move forward into life as someone’s beloved pet.
A key part of the program is sharing each dog’s journey with the community. Through social media updates, progress reports, training clips, and transformation stories, we help people truly see these dogs. By telling their stories while they are in school, we promote them for adoption, build connections with potential families, and create a supportive, hopeful audience cheering them on.
When a dog is adopted, the trainer stays involved by providing a transition session with the new family. This ensures adopters understand the dog’s needs, the cues they have learned, and the tools that will help them settle successfully into their new home. It is support that gives both the dog and the adopter the confidence they deserve as they begin their life together.
Adopt or Foster A DIESEL Project Dog
Resident Shelter & ID: Long Beach Animal Care Services, A745799
Shelter Intake: 7/24/2025
Age-Sex-Breed: 1 year; male; German Shepherd & Lab Mix
Shelter Behavior Notes: Hutch entered the shelter as a young puppy alongside his littermate. While his sibling was adopted, Hutch remained behind and has now spent much of his early development in the shelter environment. Extended kennel life has contributed to overstimulation and anxious behaviors, though he remains social, people-oriented, and eager for connection.
Diesel Project Board-and-Train: 12/23/2025 – 1/20/2025
Trainer: Robert Villaneda of Universal Dog Training
Follow #Hutch on Social Media: Hi, I’m Hutch | Hutch is Learning the Ropes
Status: Hutch’s board-and-train is ongoing. If you want to give Hutch a place to call home, reach out to LBACS or contact us at info@k9kismet.org to meet him!
Resident Shelter & ID: Long Beach Animal Care Services, A744649
Shelter Intake: 7/5/2025
Age-Sex-Breed: 1 year; female; Cattle Dog Mix
Shelter Behavior Notes: Young dog that is growing up in the shelter; adopted and returned twice for energetic/jumpy
Diesel Project Board-and-Train: 11/25/2025 – 12/23/2025
Trainer: Robert Villaneda of Universal Dog Training
Follow #Suki on Social Media: Suki’s Story | Suki Finds her Balance | Suki: Unleashing the Silly | Adopt Suki
Status: Suki has found a short-term foster through Long Beach Animal Care Services. If you want to give Suki a second chance at life, reach out to LBACS or contact us at info@k9kismet.org to meet her!
Resident Shelter & ID: Long Beach Animal Care Services, A738594
Shelter Intake: 3/28/2025
Age-Sex-Breed: 2.5 years; female; Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Shelter Behavior Notes: Arrived friendly and outgoing, but became fearful and shutdown in her kennel.
Diesel Project Board-and-Train: 11/25/2025 – To Date
Trainer: Angela Adan @deservingdogs
Follow #Rutabaga on Social Media: Rutabaga’s Story | Rutabaga’s Long Line Session | Walking With Rutabaga | Rutabaga is Ready to Give All Her Love
Status: Rutabaga’s board-and-train is ongoing. If you want to be the ultimate rescuer that Rutabaga has been waiting for, reach out to LBACS or contact us at info@k9kismet.org!
Resident Shelter & ID: Long Beach Animal Care Services, A745554
Shelter Intake: 7/1/2025
Age-Sex-Breed: 6 years; female; Pit Bull Terrier
Shelter Behavior Notes: Adopted and returned six days later for chasing a cat in the home
Diesel Project Board-and-Train: 11/25/2025 – 12/26/2025
Trainer: Robert Villaneda of Universal Dog Training
Follow #Lady on Social Media: Lady goes to School | Adopt Lady | This Smile Needs a Home | Lady Finds Her Way Home
Outcome: Lady was adopted on 12/27/2025 without having to step foot back at the shelter. Thank you to all who donated time and/or funds to Lady’s quest to belong.
Resident Shelter & ID: Long Beach Animal Care Services, A728674
Shelter Intake: 9/18/2024
Age-Sex-Breed: 2 years; male; Pit Bull Terrier
Shelter Behavior Notes: Long-stay dog with barrier reactivity; social with people he knows
Diesel Project Board-and-Train: 10/21/2025 – 11/18/2025
Trainer: Robert Villaneda of Universal Dog Training
Follow #Peanut on Social Media: Meet Peanut | The Story of Peanut & Ali | From Overlooked to Overachiever | Peanut’s Progress Report | Peanut & his ACO Friend | Peanut Goes Shopping | Peanut is Making New Friends | Peanut’s Weekend Recap | Bath Day | Meeting New Friends | A Love Letter to Team Peanut
Outcome: Peanut was adopted on 11/18/2025 without having to step foot back at the shelter. Thank you to all who donated time and/or funds to Peanut so he could finally find his permanent people!
In Loving Memory of Diesel
A long-stay LBACS resident and beloved K9 Kismet pack member, this program was created in loving memory of Diesel's resilience and our promise to stand with the fearful, the forgotten, and the long waiting.
k9 Kismet Amigos
In 2020, we launched the K9 Kismet Amigos Program to help provide lifesaving medical care for dogs whose families need financial assistance with emergency specialty vet services. The Amigos Program enables owners to keep their pet rather than surrender them to an overly stressed shelter system. After the family has paid whatever they can, we step in and pay for all of the remaining medical care the dog needs without taking the decision of care away from the families. We don’t require them to surrender their pet, pay back any of the medical care costs, or provide future volunteer support. The help comes with no strings attached.
To date, our Amigos Program has helped over 40 beloved pets and counting–dogs like little Asher, who was diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis at just 12 weeks of age. Left untreated, Laryngeal Paralysis can lead to premature death because it increases the risk of aspirated pneumonia and other complications with eating, breathing, and drinking. Asher required a specialty life saving surgery. Through our Amigos Program, we’re able to supplement costs for his family so Asher could receive the treatment he needed.
When you’re in crisis mode just trying to save your dog from death, money should not be a determining factor. When we can ease that burden, we do, allowing the family to focus their energy on loving their pet and giving the pet a fighting chance to live.
