Lafayette Animal Shelter Making Progress Towards No Kill Goal
Center Open this Saturday for Adoptions
The Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Center (LASCC) is seeing positive results towards becoming a no kill shelter. Through a multi-pronged approach of increasing adoption opportunities, strengthening partnerships with private rescue organizations and instituting new policies at the shelter, Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux aims to increase live outcomes and reduce euthanasia rates.
Recent efforts to address the high population count at the shelter resulted in LASCC’s best week on record for adoptions and rescues. At two events, a Free Feline Friday and a special edition of the Second Chance Saturday event at Tractor Supply, Co. in Scott, a total to 57 animals (38 cats/kittens, and 19 dogs/puppies) were adopted and an additional seven dogs were rescued by Acadiana Animal Aid on Aug. 24 and 25. The feline event was so successful that all of the available cats and kittens up for adoption were quickly claimed and LASCC staff allowed visitors to pre-adopt animals scheduled for spay/neuter surgeries the following week.
According to LASCC Director Shelley Delahoussaye, there tends to be a higher shelter population during the summertime because of the animals’ breeding season. “We’ve been working towards our goal of becoming a no kill shelter for more than two years. It is important that we maintain a steady increase in our live outcomes by finding homes for our animals, especially during these peak times,” Delahoussaye said.
LASCC will host another Second Chance Saturday adoption event this weekend on Sept. 8 from 1 p.m. – 3 pm. at 613 W. Point Des Mouton Rd. The event is open to the public for anyone interested in adopting dogs, puppies, cats or kittens housed at the shelter.
Every adoptable animal from the shelter is neutered or spayed, vaccinated, heartworm tested and microchipped, a value of $200-500. Regular adoption fees for dogs and puppies are $35 and $25 for cats and kittens. Adoption fees are waived altogether for military veterans with IDs and senior citizens over 65 years of age. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover payments are accepted at LASCC.
Held on the second Saturday of each month, weekend adoption events work around people’s busy schedules and allows both the adopted animal and their new owner time to become acquainted before resuming the regular week on Monday.
For individuals interested in gifting a shelter pet, adoption gift certificates are the best option. Giving an LASCC “Gift Fur-tificate” ensures that the recipient is ready to welcome their new pet and allows them to select a puppy, kitten, dog or cat of their choice. LASCC adoption gift certificates are available for purchase at the shelter and cover costs associated with regular adoption, including spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchips.
LASCC will only be open for adoptions on Sept. 8 and animals will not be accepted for intake on this day. Regular adoption hours are from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information on the Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Center visit www.LafayetteLA.gov/LASCC.
