L’Observateur / April 21, 2000

LAPLACE – The Riverlands Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it is “pleased to see that the St. John Parish administration and councilhave decided to assume direct responsibility for the operation of the St.

John Parish Animal Shelter.”The Riverlands SPCA released a press release responding to the council’s vote last week to terminate its contract with the St. John Humane Societyand have the parish run the animal shelter.

In the press release, the Riverlands SPCA also said it will offer assistance and advice during the transition period that is to start May 1.

Even though councilwoman Melissa Faucheux previously said the Riverlands SPCA would help out during the transition period, the organization said its participation would be limited. According to the press release: The Riverlands SPCA does not intend to operate the St. John Parish AnimalShelter on a permanent basis. However if animal adoption hours areextended to include 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The group is willing to accept a share ofthose hours.

The Riverlands SPCA will provide information and suggestions about maintaining animal control and the shelter. It is prepared to coordinate visitsfrom other area shelter directors to serve as consultants.

If requested the SPCA will make available to the parish its forms, policies and procedures that may be useful in keeping effective records at the shelter.

The Riverlands SPCA will continue its pet adoption program and will make every reasonable effort to assume custody of at least a few shelter animals. It cannot accept animals that have an illness or an injury tooexpensive to treat.

The SPCA would like to form an agreement with the parish to allow it to transfer adoptable animals into the Riverlands SPCA adoption program.

Riverlands SPCA spokesperson Betty Everitt said, “We will continue to help the parish in any way we can with the knowledge that the RSPCA currently runs a full-time animal welfare operation.”

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