LULING – St. Charles Parish will officially dedicate a state-of-the-art new animal shelter during a grand opening ceremony and open house to be held from 4-6 p.m. April 30 at 921 Rue La Cannes in the Dufresne Business Park. The event is free and open to the public.

The 8,800-square-foot, $1.5 million shelter broke ground in June after approval by the St. Charles Parish Council in May. It features increased room to house homeless and surrendered pets, with a total of 45 dog runs and 60 cat cages. Surgery and exam rooms provide the necessary space and equipment to perform spay and neuter operations on adoptable dogs and cats in conjunction with the St. Charles Humane Society. And a new setup streamlines the take-in process, with a covered area for animal control trucks coming in from the field and separated quarantine areas for sick, injured animals and vicious animals.

“With the options provided to us by this new building, we’ll be able to work smarter – not necessarily harder,” Animal Control Director Angela Robert said. “The dog runs are easier to keep clean, and the space design will allow us to keep disease from spreading through the facility.”

Staff will be on hand to provide tours and a behind-the-scenes look at the working shelter. In addition, adoptable dogs and cats will be available for viewing.  

The new $1.5 million facility replaces a small metal building located off River Road underneath the Hale Boggs Bridge in Luling. The old shelter is set to be demolished.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to provide impeccable service to the residents and animals of the parish,” Robert said.

The grand opening will also highlight the animal shelter’s new late hours of operation on Monday afternoons. Brochures will be available outlining St. Charles Parish animal ordinances every pet owner should know, as well as handouts pointing out the signs of animal abuse and neglect. Refreshments will be served.

To see photos of the first animals to move into the new shelter, visit the parish’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/

stcharlesgov/photos.