A new photography studio helps give pets at the St. Charles Animal Shelter a better shot at adoption
The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter hopes to spur adoption rates with a new photo studio and camera equipment.
“My whole staff is definitely enjoying it, it’s fun and the animals seem to enjoy because it gets them out of the cage,” Animal Control Director Angela Robert said. “The volunteers are getting involved too–my own daughter came and showed us how to use Photoshop.”
Walker said the new effort was spearheaded by shelter employees Kaitlyn Deroche and Caylee Webb, whom Robert said were “passionate” about pursing the animal photo project. The two attended a workshop in Jefferson Parish.
“When they brought it back to me and showed me how good it looked–the difference that it made from taking a picture of a cat in a cage to taking a picture of a cat next to a stuffed animal…it was worth [the cost of the camera] because at the end of the day we want to get the animals homes,” Walker said.
St. Charles Parish purchased a Canon Rebel digital single lens reflex camera for the project, according to Robert. In return for purchasing the camera, the shelter received a matching donation from the Shelter Art Foundation. The art foundation, funded in part by Hollywood actress Katherine Heigl and Purina, donated the backdrop and lighting equipment that the shelter now uses—a donation which they say matches the roughly $500 the parish spent on the camera.The Shelter Art Foundation also ran the photography workshop attended by Deroche and Webb. The workshop placed emphasis on the technical skills necessary to create compelling photos that, according to parish spokesperson Renee Simpson, “aim to capture a creature’s personality.”
“It has been demonstrated that better photos equal higher adoption rates,” Robert said. “The vast majority of adopters first become interested in a particular animal because of a photo, either in print or online. We want our adoptable animals to shine. They all deserve great homes.”
The shelter was able to begin practicing with the camera before Christmas, but said the new photos are now in full production. Animals are now featured on a white background, with the animal’s name and a copy of the shelter’s logo.
“Via Facebook, we’re getting so many more likes and shares and calls—it has definitely made a major difference,” Robert said.
Robert said that they are currently using a trial version of Adobe’s Photoshop photo editing software, but expect to purchase the software after seeing its value in making the photographs even more eye catching. The software allows the addition of the name and logo, as well as allowing small corrections to the photograph.
Actress Katherine Heigl has taken a personal interest in the welfare of shelter animals. In addition to funding the Shelter Art foundation used by the parish, the actress, known for her role on the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy,” has been prolific in contributing to animal shelters throughout the U.S. Proceeds from her non-profit, The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, are also contributed to spay-neuter clinics across the country.
Residents can see the latest photos of adoptable pets by visiting the shelter’s Facebook page. Animal adoptions cost $80 and include microchipping, spaying or neutering, de-worming, flea and tick control, and necessary vaccinations.
The shelter is open for adoptions Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The shelter is also open the first and third Saturdays of each month between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for adoption showings. Cats are available for adoption during normal business hours at PetSmart on 6851 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. The St. Charles Humane Society also brings adoptable dogs to PetSmart most weekends.
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