ANIMAL CONTROL

13830 River Road • Luling • Phone: (985) 783-5010
Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Visit the shelter at PetFinder.com | View the Pet of the Week

The St. Chalres Humane Society shows adoptable dogs at PetSmart at 6851 Veterans Memorial Blvd.in Metairie. Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

**The Humane Society is in desperate need of pet carriers. Donations are being accepted at the shelter or by contacting Jennifer King at jking162@cox.net. **

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFERING DISCOUNTED MICROCHIPPING DURING HURRICANE SEASON

St. Charles Parish Animal Control is offering $15 microchipping for dogs and cats through hurricane season, which ends on Nov. 30. More info...
Posted 06.18.08 / 4:05 p.m.

PUT TOGETHER PET EVACUATION KIT IN ADVANCE OF HURRICANE SEASON

Animal Control wants to make sure you and your pets are prepared for this upcoming hurricane season. The most important thing to remember is you and your pet’s safety.

When traveling with your animal, keep these things in mind:

1. Make sure you have a current rabies vaccine, license and tags on your animal.
2. Make sure your animal is vaccinated against diseases.
3. You should have a carrier for each animal as well as a collar and leash for each.
4. Make sure you have enough food and water for your animal for at least seven days.
5. Animal control recommends you microchip your animal in case you and your pet are disconnected.
6. Search out animal-friendly hotels to stay in while away from home.
7. If your animal is on any medications, have a two-week supply with you.
8. Get a copy of your animals' current vet records to bring with you in case of
   emergency.
9. If your animal does not travel well, check with your vet about medicines you can
   give your pet to ease anxiety.
10. Last but not least, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ANIMALS BEHIND! A storm can
    be a very traumatic thing for an animal to have to go through alone. Please do not leave
    them boarded at your local vet!

*We recommend you prepare a pet evacuation kit prior to the hurricane season.
Animal Control would like to wish you and your pets a safe hurricane season. Should
you have any questions please feel free to contact us at the shelter at (985) 783-5010.

NEW ANIMAL SHELTER DIRECTOR AIMS TO EDUCATE PUBLIC
Microchipping, spaying, neutering importat, Robert says

LULING – Angela Robert may work with animals every day, but she knows educating the human population is even more crucial.

Robert, a certified animal control officer who was appointed St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter director in July 2007, says she and her staff inform citizens daily about responsible pet ownership.

But she also fights misinformation.

“It’s all about perception,” Robert said. “A lot of people won’t want their animal but also won’t want to give it to the shelter because they think we’ll just kill it. That is the furthest from the truth.”

Robert works with rescue organizations daily to find loving homes for each animal that comes into her care. Some organizations are breed-specific, while others offer help in transporting animals to new families located anywhere in the country. Decisions about an animal’s adoptability are made based on behavioral and health evaluations. Robert said only 2 percent of adoptable dogs at the shelter are euthanized.

And Robert gets some special help in giving all animals the chance they deserve. Donations from the St. Charles Parish Humane Society cover medical expenses, vaccines and tests for shelter animals. In other parts of the country humane societies are not usually partnered with government-funded shelters, Robert said. Robert also accepts help from those required to do community service for minor legal offenses.

The shelter employs four animal control officers and has 22 indoor/outdoor dog runs, a cat room, a medical room for checkups and surgery and a quarantine area for newly acquired felines. Lack of space has been an issue, especially in recent months. In March 2007, the shelter took in a total of 70 dogs; including 17 in a single day.

Those numbers can be dramatically decreased through spaying and neutering, which prevent unwanted litters. Robert said low-cost surgeries are available for pet owners who qualify. And feral cats (unsocialized strays living in colonies) can be trapped, brought in and fixed for only $10. Ferals can also be relocated to any number of barns in the area to serve as pest-control.

Microchipping can also prevent animals from entering the shelter. The process inserts a small chip under an animal’s skin that is scanned and tied to the owner’s information via computer. This can identify strays even if they’ve lost their I.D. tags.

“I’m amazed at how many people don’t come here looking for their animals,” Robert said. “If the animal is microchipped it can be home in minutes.”

The shelter recently acquired ARC software, which is being used to digitize all the shelter’s records. Robert encourages all pet owners to register their animals through this new system by calling the shelter at (985) 785-5010.

Robert is also working to update the parish’s animal ordinances, which are subject to parish council approval. The process requires input from law enforcement and officials with both the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States.

“I think there should be a law making microchipping mandatory,” Robert said. “And Congress recently passed a nation-wide ban on slaughtering horses that is forcing people to bring their horses here to the shelter.”

Current law states that all horses surrendered to the shelter be put up for auction, not adoption. Robert would like to make sure rescue groups can be involved in rehoming equines. The recent addition of sight barriers to the fence next to the shelter on River Road in Luling will help shield larger animals.

Still, Robert emphasized the that the shelter continues to have a “huge open-door policy.”

“Just like they say it takes a village to raise a child, it truly takes the entire community to make sure we treat our animals the right way,” she said.

To volunteer with the St. Charles Parish Humane Society, contact Jennifer King at jking162@cox.net.

The mission of St. Charles Parish government is to provide high quality, efficient services to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all residents of St. Charles Parish.