OPELOUSAS, La.— St. Landry Parish Animal Control is over capacity due to high intakes of
homeless and displaced animals. Shelters throughout the state are facing similar issues due to
increased owners surrenders from challenges with housing and access to care, as well as a growing
need for spay/neuter.
Since January, St. Landry Parish Animal Control has taken in over 100 dogs, which are being
reported and picked up as strays. In addition, many dogs enter the shelter positive for heartworm
disease. The dogs begin treatment immediately, making their stay in the shelter longer. Currently,
the shelter is unable to intake cats until facility improvements have been made to support their care.
“Our shelter staff is struggling to meet the demand for supporting the number of stray dogs that
come into our care on a daily basis,” said Jessie Bellard, St. Landry Parish President. ” We need the
community to assist us by spaying/neutering their pets, adopting pets from the shelter and helping to
reunite pets with families before they ever arrive at the shelter.”
As efforts to address the homeless pet population continue, animal control encourages residents to
wait at least 24 hours before bringing a found dog to the shelter unless there is a safety hazard for
people or the pet. If the animal remains in the area for 24-hours, the chances of being reunited with
its family increase significantly. The Parish offers the following tips if you lost your pet or found an
animal:
- Use the shelter as a resource by notifying them of the lost or found pets,
- Post found pets to local Facebook groups, Next door or other community websites,
- Hang flyers in the area where the animal was found.
Residents looking to give up their pet should explore rehoming options, such as Home To Home,
before bringing their pet to the shelter.
The Parish is encouraging residents to spay/neuter their pets to prevent unwanted litters and reduce
the stray pet population. In partnership with BISSELL Pet Foundation, St. Landry Parish is
subsidizing the cost of sterilization procedures for community pets through June. The foundation and
the Parish are each providing vouchers for $50 off the cost of a spay/neuter procedure per cat or
dog at participating veterinary clinics in Opelousas and Lafayette. These vouchers can be combined
for up to $100 off each procedure.
Vouchers can be picked up at: - St. Landry Animal Control
255 Hangar Rd, Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 948-6184 - St. Landry Parish Government
118 S Court St #133, Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 948-3688
If you are looking to add a pet to your family, please visit St. Landry Parish Animal Control and
choose adoption. Now through May 15, all dogs are available for adoption at a reduced fee of $25
during BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Spring National “Empty the Shelters” event. Adoptable dogs are
spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
To learn more about St. Landry Parish and view adoptable or missing pets, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/SLPGAnimalControl/.
