GARDEN GROVE : Show About Pets to Continue Airing

After almost a month of suspense, Paragon Cable has announced that a studio has been been found for “The Pet Place,� an animal show that had been in jeopardy of going off the air.

The crisis began when KDOC-TV Channel 56 announced at the beginning of November that it was shutting down the Anaheim production facility where “The Pet Place� was taped.

Paragon Cable officials have decided that the show may be filmed temporarily in its Garden Grove studios until its producer finds another location or a permanent agreement can be worked out between the cable company and the show.

“We’re very relieved,� said Fred Bergendorff, founder and executive producer of the show, which features 15 dogs and cats from local animal shelters. “It was just a terrible feeling to think we might have to go off the air.�

Don Weddle, director of public affairs for Paragon Cable, said that when KDOC “shut down its studios, it threw them into turmoil. We are sticking our finger into the dike. We’re not sure how long-term this will be, but we did not want them to go off the air.�

“The Pet Place,� which reaches 22,000 homes, has placed more than 2,500 pets, including a number of handicapped animals, since it began airing on a Long Beach cable station in 1990. The show also includes an informational segment focusing on such topics as animal care and pet training.

Despite losing its former studio, “The Pet Place� will continue to air in Orange County on KDOC.

Throughout the month of November, Bergendorff kept the show’s viewers abreast of developments and received more than 100 letters from them.

“I think it’s great they are staying on the air,� said Kelly Rudy, an air traffic controller from Lake Forest who wrote to the show. “I’m not sure if it’s prime-time viewing, but it’s a great public service.�

Bergendorff tapes two other versions of the show each week geared to the Long Beach and South Bay areas and produced at other local production facilities.