Shelter hasn’t euthanized any animals due to space constraints since 2017, spokeswoman says

The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter has not euthanized any animal because of a lack of cage space since 2017, according to Francesca Blanchard, a spokesperson for the parish.

The shelter euthanized 163 dogs and 474 cats in 2023, according to the Shelter Animal Count National Database. In 2022, the shelter euthanized 108 dogs and 366 cats, according to the database.

Severe medical conditions and aggression in the animals prompted most of the euthanasia cases, Blanchard said.

“Unfortunately, there are situations when an animal is not of sound temperament or has severe medical needs that cannot be healed,” Blanchard said.

Adoptapet.com shows an adoptable pet at St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter.

She said the shelter uses euthanasia for conditions like aggression and bite cases, severe heartworm, leukemia, and other medical conditions. The shelter may also use euthanasia for adult animals that are unsocialized and cannot be around humans or other animals. Blanchard added that, in some cases, animals may become reactive in confinement and are not adoptable.

“The shelter also provides low-cost humane euthanasia as a service to residents when they have to say goodbye to a sick and suffering pet,” Blanchard said.

The shelter takes in over 1,5000 homeless animals each year, according to Blanchard.

“Our goal is to place adoptable pets in loving homes as quickly as possible,” she said.

The shelter is run by Dr. Jena Troxler, a veterinarian, and Blanchard said the shelter’s staff works to educate residents about best practices for responsible pet ownership.

Adoptapet.com shows an adoptable pet at St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter.

“Having a pet is a commitment!” Blanchard said in an email. “Vaccinate and spay or neuter your pets, train your dogs, and consult your vet if issues arise.”

She said the shelter works with five local Petco stores and Greater Good Charities to help place shelter animals into local or out-of-state homes. The shelter also has programs to help keep pets and people together through education and low-cost veterinary recommendations, Blanchard said.

Nationally, non-live outcomes for shelter animals, which includes euthanasia and animals who died or were lost in a shelter’s care, increased by 15 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to the Shelter Animals Count National Database. Last year, 330,000 cats and 360,000 dogs were euthanized in shelters across the U.S., which is about 10 percent of the 6.5 million dogs and cats that entered rescues and shelters across the country, according to the database.