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HAHNVILLE – The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter announced Monday that it has been awarded a $61,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The grant from the ASPCA will aid in expanding disaster preparedness and response capabilities for animals by funding essential lifesaving services and providing equipment, which will allow the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter to support numerous animals impacted by disasters in the future.

“We evacuated and rescued more than 300 animals impacted by hurricanes in 2020 and are excited to receive this grant from the ASPCA as it will allow us to help even more pet owners and animals in need during times of natural disasters,” said Dr. Jena Troxler, supervisor of St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter. “When disaster strikes our community, the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter responds to provide assistance for people and pets by evacuating shelter-owned pets and assisting displaced pets. This includes emergency rescue and sheltering efforts for pets separated from their families, and these resources will allow us to be better at responding and assisting families and pets.”

The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter will use a portion of the grant funding to pay for two evacuation flights and supplies to evacuate its shelter pets and surrounding coastal parish shelter pets that are threatened to receiving partners for adoption. Funding also enables disaster conference collaboration for shelters across the state.

The St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter is an open admission municipal shelter. It provides lifesaving efforts through staff, volunteers and community support. For more information regarding the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter, please visit our website at www.stcharlesparish-la.gov/departments/animal-control or follow us on Facebook (@scpanimalshelter).