The Louisiana SPCA (New Orleans, Louisiana 70114) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the elimination of animal suffering. Chartered in 1888, the Louisiana SPCA is the oldest, and was the most comprehensive, animal welfare organization in the state. The Louisiana SPCA provided care and basic medical services for approximately 11,000 homeless and unwanted animals each year. It had many programs and services in place to educate the community, reduce pet overpopulation, and improve the quality-of-life for the animals in the community. Louisiana SPCA will not forget where it was.
Not unlike many in the community, the Louisiana SPCA is literally starting from scratch. Its shelter on Japonica Street was destroyed, and its infrastructure crushed. Because it provides a service to both the people and animals of the community, taking time to regroup and rebuild before resuming animal control services was never an option. The transition feels like two steps forward, one step back; much like fixing the car engine while the car is still moving.
Most of the shelter’s staff is displaced. In mid-October, about 10 employees remained out of the original 65 working with the shelter before the storm. Louisiana SPCA is now up to 25 employees, more than half of whom are new to animal sheltering.
The effort to help and save animals in the past three months was unprecedented. Groups and individuals poured into the city and many still remain. The help Louisiana SPCA has received has been incredible. Without the support of the groups and individuals that came to its aid, it would never have been able to rescue as many animals as it has. The work of the volunteer rescuers is propelled by overwhelming passion for the animals. As Louisiana SPCA carve out its future it is putting programs into place that include the same passion, but also co-exist with a balance to provide long-term, sustainable efforts that will improve the lives of animals beyond an immediate disaster. This balance comprises doing what is in the best interest of the animals, the community, and the people who are still searching for their lost pets.
As Louisiana SPCA strives to improve the lives of New Orleans animals, it also wants to communicate the importance of reaching out to the other communities with whom the Louisiana SPCA does not contract with for animal control services. It asks you not to forget the help that is still needed in St. Bernard Parish, Jefferson Parish, and the other neighboring communities.
