ARC rescues dogs from Louisiana
The Animal Refuge Center has come to the rescue for numerous animal shelters nationwide, especially in areas that are facing a crisis caused by a natural disaster.
ARC stepped up this time to help shelters in flood-ravaged St. Landry’s Parrish, La., by accepting 16 dogs from its overcrowded facilities in hopes of adopting them into loving homes here.
These dogs were either surrendered before the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Barry earlier this month or already in the shelter and being transferred to open space for flood refugees.
They arrived at the shelter on Old Bayshore Road on May 21.
Rob Spicker, a member of the ARC Board of Trustees, said ARC has partnered with St. Landry’s Parrish before during previous flooding issues there, particularly hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
“They were in need of opening up space in their shelter. We had room and we volunteered to take their animals in,” Spicker said. “St. Landry’s is one of the most impoverished areas in the state, so when they get that kind of rain it’s hard for them to maintain their property and keep their animals.”
The shelter in St. Landry’s was getting inundated with surrendered pets, necessitating the move, Spicker said, adding they could potentially make room for more as that shelter fills up again, needing to move out as many as 70 dogs.
The dogs were brought in, cleansed and given veterinary care by VCA, which has five clinics in Southwest Florida. The dogs were then quarantined for about 10 days before finally being released this week.
Spicker said ARC was not hit severely during Irma, though it did prevent them from rescuing dogs affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. ARC has become a go-to place for desperate shelters nationwide.
“You help us, we help you. It’s the largest no-kill shelter and we’re always looking for ways to save and rescue as many animals as possible,” Spicker said.
Anyone interested in adopting can fill out an application on their website. All new adoptions come with a coupon for a free first visit to VCA and a wellness check.
For more information, visit animalrefugecenter.com