[StBernard] The Louisiana SPCA Announces the Gulf Coast Companion Animal Relief Program; BP Grant to provide relief to people and pets affected by the BP Oil disaster

[Westley Annis]

The Louisiana SPCA Announces the Gulf Coast Companion Animal Relief Program
Providing relief to people and pets affected by the BP Oil disaster 

 

Generous Grant from ASPCA to Provide Free Pet Care to Residents Affected by
Oil Spill

 

July 12, 2010 (New Orleans, LA ) - The Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) along with
the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the
lead sponsor, the Best Friends Animal Society, and several local
organizations have begun the Gulf Coast Companion Animal Relief Program to
provide services to pet owners suffering economic hardship as a result of
the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil rig explosion.

 

"The coastal parish animal shelters have experienced 2-3 times the number of
pets being relinquished than last summer." says Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the
LA/SPCA, "Studies have shown pets reduce stress, aid in overcoming
depression and loss, and provide comfort in times of need.  Knowing how
bonded people are with their pets, it's heartbreaking to hear of families
having to make this kind of decision.  The pets have become innocent victims
of this disaster."

 

Through a generous grant from the ASPCA free pet care will be provided to
residents of Plaquemines Parish, St. Bernard Parish, Terrebonne Parish and
Jefferson Parish affected by the oil spill. It is estimated that their
initial contribution will prevent 1,000 family pets from facing
relinquishment by their owners. 

 

"A primary mission of the ASPCA is to provide support and resources to
communities in need," says Julie Morris, SVP of Community Outreach at the
ASPCA. "Through the generous contributions of our donors we are pleased to
join in this collaborative effort to positively impact the companion animals
affected by the Gulf Coast tragedy and improve a dire situation for hundreds
of families."

 

The free pet care includes:

*	Basic exam including tests for Feline Leukemia, FIV in cats and
Heartworms in dogs 
*	Vaccinations 
*	Microchip and registration 
*	Spay or neuter surgery 

 

Services are provided at the LA/SPCA by licensed veterinarians. Residents
can begin scheduling appointments by calling the LA/SPCA directly:
504-363-1333 or 504-368-5191 ext. 141. Appointments will be provided on a
first come first serve basis through November. This service is available to
residents who work in the fishing industry of the affected parishes. Proof
of eligibility is required and can be: a Commercial Fishing License, Trip
Tickets, Check stub from Seafood-related industry, or signed letter from
captain including a copy of one his supporting documents listed above.  

 

Additionally dog food will be provided from a generous donation by Del Monte
Foods coordinated by Best Friends Animal Society while supplies last.

 

"We were able to respond quickly to the reports of increased pet
relinquishment and solicited a very generous donation from Del Monte Foods
of 41,000 pounds of Kibbles 'n Bits dog food," states Temma Martin,
spokesperson for Best Friends Animal Society, "This effort is an example of
how our First Home Forever Home <http://foreverhome.bestfriends.org/>
campaign helps families avoid having to surrender their four-legged family
members even in the face of disaster."

 

Support from the following organizations has been critical to make this
program possible: The American Society for the Prevention for Cruelty
(ASPCA), Del Monte Foods, Best Friends Animal Society, Catholic Charities
Archdiocese of New Orleans, Second Harvest Food Bank (local affiliate of
Feed America), St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter, Plaquemines Animal Welfare
Society, Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Terrebonne Animal Shelter, and the
Louisiana SPCA.

 

To volunteer or donate to this or other disaster related programs, visit
www.la-spca.org/gulfcoastrelief. 

 

###

 

Contact information:

 

Louisiana SPCA 

Katherine LeBlanc 

Communications Director 

504-444-2284

leblanc at la-spca.org <mailto:leblanc at la-spca.org> 

 

ASPCA

Alison Zaccone

Senior Manager Media & Communications

212.876.7700 ext 4568

alisonz at aspca.org

 

Best Friends Animal Society

Temma Martin

Public Relations Specialist

801-953-8876

temmam at bestfriends.org

 

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans 

Corinne Levy

Associate Director of Communications

504-592-5690

clevy at archdiocese-no.org

 

St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter

Karen Bazile

Public Information Officer

504-278-4280

kbazile at sbpg.net <mailto:kbazile at sbpg.net> 

 

Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society

Jacob Stroman

Shelter Director

(504) 392-1601

jacob at paws4life.org

 

Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter

Tessa Corthell

Interim Director

(504) 736-6118

tcorthell at jeffpariosh.net <mailto:tcorthell at jeffpariosh.net> 

 

Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter

Valerie Robinson

Animal Shelter Manager

(985) 873-6709 ext. 201

vrobinson at tpcg.org

 

The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an
organization devoted to improving the lives of animals and eliminating the
homelessness, neglect and abuses that signal animal suffering. Chartered in
1888, our history has been paved with an understanding that only through an
improved human-animal ethic can we better the lives of companion animals and
that of our community. Our programs and services are infused with the
highest standards of care and compassion.

 

Founded in 1866, the ASPCAR (The American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to AnimalsR) is the first humane organization established in the
Americas and serves as the nation's leading voice for animal welfare. One
million supporters strong, the ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means
for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a
501 [c] [3] not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in
the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services.
The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of
programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law
enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile
animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org
<http://mail.la-spca.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.aspca.org/> .