It’s a “pawty!”
The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter will participate in a nationwide “Shelter Slumber Pawty” to raise funds and awareness for community animals on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Dr. Jena Troxler, shelter supervisor, said the shelter will stream live on Facebook during the event to show volunteers interacting with and caring for the pets.
The shelter invited local teams, including PJ’s and veterinary clinics, along with community members such as shelter volunteers and local musician Will Dempsey and his family, to spend time with shelter pets during the event.
“100 percent of the funds raised for this event go back to our shelter,” Troxler said.
The shelter has raised over $1,000 since the fundraiser began March 27. Residents can participate by sponsoring a pet for the night, donating items from the parish’s wish list, following along on social media for live “bedtime updates,” or sharing adoptable pets to help find families. Donations can be made online at shelterslumberpawty.com.
The Shelter Slumber Pawty began in 2017 at Gateway Pet Guardians near St. Louis, where staff and volunteers spent 24 hours alongside shelter dogs while livestreaming the experience and asking supporters for donations. The first event raised more than $30,000 and has since grown into a nationwide collaborative fundraiser involving dozens of shelters.
On Sunday, the shelter will host its annual rabies vaccine drive from 9 a.m. to noon. Rabies vaccinations will be available for $10 per animal. A valid ID is required as proof of parish residency.
This year’s event is back at both East Bank Bridge Park in Destrehan and West Bank Bridge Park in Luling. Last year, the shelter hosted the event as a drive-thru at the community center because of construction at East Bank Bridge Park. This year’s event is not a drive-thru.
Troxler said about 300 pets were vaccinated last year.
“This year’s event is back to being on both sides of the river, so we’re glad to provide this service to our residents and their furry family members,” Troxler said.
All dogs and cats over three months old or weighing three pounds or more can receive a vaccination. For the safety of all pets and people, dogs must be properly leashed or placed in a carrier, and cats must be placed in a carrier. Cash will be the only form of payment accepted.
Rabies is fatal in humans if an exposed person does not seek prompt medical care and receive post-exposure treatment.
“This is a way for people to do their part in reducing the potential for exposure from pets,” Troxler said.
She stressed that pets also need annual veterinary exams, heartworm and flea prevention, and vaccines for other bacterial and viral diseases. Rabies is the minimum required by law for pet owners.
Private veterinarians Dr. Jack Moreau, Dr. John Melancon and Dr. Tommy Vitrano held vaccine drives for many years in the parish. The parish animal shelter began supporting the drive in 2017 with Dr. Moreau, Dr. Troxler and a combination of nonprofit funding and grants.
