Design for new shelter released

The schematic design for a new animal shelter in St. Charles Parish was released this week.

Animal Control has applied for a Humane Society grant to fund the building, but more money is needed for the shelter to become a reality.

“We need another shelter because we’re growing out of this one,” said Angie Robert, Animal Control director. “Animal shelters, just like anything else, have evolved from 20 years ago as to how you’re supposed to house animals for disease control.”

Robert said that a new facility would allow for the animals to be more segregated, therefore preventing the transfer of diseases.

“We do a really good job of that now with that we have, but this will be a better, more state-of-the-art facility,” she said.

The shelter has seen an increase in rescued animals over the past year since an animal cruelty class was taught during the police department’s training academy in September 2009.
Animal Control employees taught police academy students how to recognize signs of animal cruelty while on the job.

“It has been very successful. We’ve taken in more cruelty cases this year than we’ve ever taken in,” Robert said. “We work side by side for the greater good.”

Robert said that Animal Control will now teach the classes each year during the academy.

While Robert said that finding abused animals is a “double-edged sword,” she hopes that people who successfully adopt from the shelter will share their stories and encourage others to find their pet at a shelter.

Animal Control has started a new initiative to get new pet owners who have adopted from the shelter to share their stories, or “Happy Tails,” and pictures online in an effort to attract other adopters.

“We need more people to send in stories,” Robert said. “People need to know that they can come to their local animal shelter and they’ll get a quality animal.”

Submit your “Happy Tail” to the department by visiting www.stcharlesgov.net and or contact Animal Control at (985)783-5010 for more information.