.LAPLACE — Volunteers from near and far extended their time, supplies and well wishes after the St. John the Baptist Parish Animal Shelter made headlines last month for the seizure of 161 dogs from a single residence.

Shelter staff are thanking the community for the outpouring of support with a volunteer thank you and meet-and-greet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Shelter, 488 W. Second Street in LaPlace.

Approximately 50 dogs will be featured for adoption at the event, which features music from School House Rocks and complimentary pasta from community member Erik Mender and Friends of the St. John Animal Shelter.

A handful of cats will also be available for adoption, and the John L. Ory Book Club will sell concessions on-site.

Animal Shelter manager Rachael Sance said approximately 70 of the dogs remain in the shelter, and approximately 50 are social enough to be adopted at this time.

Approximately 20 dogs were placed in foster homes as of last week, according to Friends of the St. John Parish Animal Shelter.

Full-grown hound, lab and terrier-mixes seized from the hoarding home arrived at the shelter frightened and unaccustomed to human contact.

“These animals have made remarkable progress in the month they have been here,” Sance said. “We wanted to show people the improvement and also showcase the dogs in hopes of finding them forever homes with some of our residents and supporters.”

People from New England, California and Alaska answered the volunteer call after seeing news stories, and Sance said locals have gone above and beyond to support the Shelter’s small but devoted staff.

“We want to thank everyone who took the time to volunteer, gather or send supplies, donate monetary funds, and those who sent us encouraging messages over the past month,” Sance said.

Continued community assistance is needed in fostering, adopting and networking. Adoption costs are $100 for dogs, as set by St. John the Baptist Parish Government.

Sance said all animals come spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, which saves adopters hundreds of dollars in veterinary appointments.

Those looking to adopt must have up-to-date veterinary records for other animals in the household and a fenced-in backyard for dogs.

The Animal Shelter offers food and necessary materials at no cost to volunteers who foster dogs or cats, according to Sance.

“If you can’t adopt or foster at this time, we ask residents to consider picking a dog and making it their goal to find that pet a home by sharing on social media or with friends and family,” Sance said.

Monetary donations are also needed to provide vaccinations and medical treatment for the dogs.