As we approach the end of 2007, the Louisiana SPCA is filled with a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude for all the wonderful gifts we have received on behalf of the animals in our care. From supporting our programs to adopting our many wonderful shelter animals, the furred friends we care for have benefited from the kindness of strangers and friends. Thanks to each of you who have opened your hearts by giving a home to a wonderful animal from our shelter. Thank you to the supporters near and far who have made our new shelter a reality with gifts of every size. Each gift impacts our mission to improve the lives of all companion animals, now and in our future.

We honor each gift because we realize its significance - in some way a companion animal has touched you or someone you care for dearly. For some, maybe it was the stray you saw on the streets that was too afraid to be approached. For others maybe your gift served as a tribute to the pet that brought you cherished childhood memories. For others you honored those who deeply loved their companion animal. Whatever the reason, your gift was a way to honor the unconditional love of animals that we can only hope to aspire to in our own lives.

How too can we adequately thank our volunteers who give of their time, heart, soul, and dedication to care for shelter animals? Many people are surprised to learn that it is the work of the volunteers that make some of our most enduring programs a reality, including our remote adoptions, Maine transfer program and school presentations. No matter how many minutes or how many hours each of our volunteers commit to our organization, they are making a difference for each and every animal. We also extend a heartfelt thanks to our LA/SPCA ambassadors including my fellow Board of Directors, our Advisory Council, Capital Campaign committee, our community leaders, our animal welfare colleagues, and you -- people from every walk of life who recognize that in improving the lives of our animals, we are also improving our community.

Finally, it gives us great pleasure to introduce to you our new
Chief Executive Officer, Ana Zorrilla. Ana joined us in February 2006 as Director of Development. When her predecessor Laura Maloney left the LA/SPCA in August 2007 to join her husband in Australia, Ana was the perfect choice to continue the LA/SPCA vision and lead the organization to our continued growth. Please join me in congratulating Ana and wishing her well in her new role.

On behalf of the LA/SPCA family, both two-legged and four-legged, thank you for making a difference in their lives and for allowing us to continue to fight for them, because, as we know so well, "it's worth every lick."

Sincerely,

Ginny Lovell,
President, Louisiana SPCA Board of Directors

I was 22 and living on my own when I decided it was time for me to go get a dog. We had all sorts growing up and I had recently had a roommate with two Chihuahuas, so I had a small dog in mind. When I entered the Japonica St shelter on November 19, 1994, my criteria was a small female adult dog. I walked down the first row of cages and paused at the most unique dog I had ever seen - a large-ish male husky mix.

In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations came to the aid of the Gulf Coast region to help with the rescuing of animals. A few have remained to aid in the long term recovery of organizations like the Louisiana SPCA with little fanfare and a desire to remain behind the scenes. For two years, the LA/SPCA had the opportunity to experience such long-term aid with a shelter professional that is regarded in her field as the "best of the best."

The cat to the right, Minnie, arrived at our shelter when the family that had loved her all her life was no longer able to care for her due to uncontrollable circumstances. Minnie, who was 19-years-old, blind and deaf, was adopted after staying with us for almost eight weeks. Minnie, with all her special needs, is secure in a new home; living out the rest of her life surrounded by love and understanding
All of the animals adopted through our shelter have his or her own story. Thanks to you, and those like you who believe in our mission and support our cause, those stories have happy ending.