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FAQ's - Animal Issues in New Orleans
(Updated10/22/05)
What happened to the Louisiana SPCA shelter on Japonica Street?
Our facility at Japonica Street located in the 9th Ward, was destroyed.
Photos of our shelter can be seen at
here
.
Is the LA/SPCA reopening its shelter in New Orleans?
The LA/SPCA is setting-up its animal control division at a
semi-permanent facility in Algiers, located at 701 Thayer Street. It
will accept strays and eventually be adopting out those animals that are
unclaimed by their owners. The 40,000 square foot warehouse is
undergoing extensive renovation.
 What
does the public do now if they have animals or pets they can no longer
keep?
Until the shelter is fully operational, we are unable to accept
animals from the public. However, if you have a pet you can no longer
keep, St. Tammany Humane Society and the Capital Area Animal Welfare
Society (Baton Rouge) have agreed to accept owner relinquished dogs and
cats from area citizens until such time (expect 6-8 weeks) that we can
start accepting owner relinquished animals. St. Tammany can be reached
at 985-909-0183 and CAAWS at (225) 752-5801.
Does the LA/SPCA offer any services to the public now?
The public can contact the LA/SPCA to look for a pet, report a
missing pet, report animal cruelty or report the location of a stray
animal. We are currently not open for adoption or veterinary care for
pets.
How does the public contact the LA/SPCA now?
You can reach us by calling (504) 368-5191.
You can also email us to report a missing pet, report animal cruelty or
report the location of a stray animal at dispatch@la-spca.org.
Can I adopt a pet now at the LA/SPCA?
No. We are currently not open for adoption. Our new site in Algiers
will be fully operational soon, however. Please check back with us for
the opening date and hours of operation.
Will the LA/SPCA be operating its low-cost veterinary clinic?
We are considering using our mobile spay/neuter center as a low-cost
vaccination clinic until we determine if and where a new full-service
clinic would be established. Until then, however, our veterinarians will
be caring for the animals housed at the animal control facility in
Algiers.
Where can I go now to look for my lost pet?
If you lost your pet after October 15th, you may visit our site in
Algiers to look for your pet. Only those seeking lost pets will be
admitted to the Algiers facility at 701 Thayer Street. Due to the scope
of the rescue the list is constantly in flux. Once we can verify that
the animal in question is your pet, the ASPCA and HSUS will work with
you to reunite with him.
What are the hours of operation at the Algiers facility to look for
my pet lost after October 15th?
Our hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..
What do I do if I lost my pet or had to evacuate without my pet
before October 15th?
To find out if your pet was rescued prior to October 15th, please
call 1-800-HUMANE-1 or visit the following sites for a list of foster
homes that were used:
What if, for example, my pet is in a shelter in Oklahoma and I’m in
Colorado? How do I get my pet back?
Once it’s verified that the animal in question is indeed your pet,
the ASPCA and HSUS have committed to paying shelters for all transport
costs related to reunification.
 What
about all the strays on the streets? Will you be picking them up?
Our Animal Control Division is again picking up strays on the street
that are critically ill or in need of immediate medical attention. To
assist with these efforts please fill out the
online application and
you will be contacted. We
recommend that residents keep a distance from strays. If you are
approached by a dog that has a questionable temperament, avert your eyes
and stand completely still. Do not run under any circumstance as that
only incites the dog’s instincts to chase. You can also provide stray
animals with a bowl of pet food and fresh water so that life may be
sustained until the animal can be captured. Please DO NOT place full
bags of food on the ground as they attract rodents which have become a
significant problem for the city.
What about animals still trapped in homes? Will you be rescuing them?
We are still rescuing animals from homes where owners have asked for
assistance or from homes that we know are abandoned. Since we have
resumed animal control operations in the city again, it appears that
many owners have returned home to recover their pets. To assist with
these efforts please fill out the
online application and
you will be contacted.
What do I do if I come home and find that my pet has died?
Normally, we provide cremation services, but because our shelter was
destroyed we are temporarily unable to provide that service. You might
check in Baton Rouge or St. Tammany areas for animal cremation or burial
services via the Yellow Pages. There's a company called
Agee's in Harvey that you can contact. Otherwise, you can wrap your pet in a bag
or cloth and place it in a closed garbage can for sanitation to pick-up.
Health regulations do not permit burying pets in yards.
 SPCA
is spray painted on my house and my pet is gone. I cannot find it on the
petfinder website. My pet seems to have disappeared. Where can I find
him?
There were hundreds of well-meaning animal rescuers in New Orleans
saving animals. Unfortunately, not all of them were working with an
agency and they entered homes and took resident animals. The rescued
animals were driven or flown out-of-state and adopted out to new homes.
While some were working with the best of intentions, some worked outside
the system as they believed the animals were abandoned by their owners
who did not “deserve them back.” Rogue rescuers would enter the city
claiming to be working under the auspices of the SPCA.
It’s with great sadness that we believe many people will never be
reunited with their pets.
How can I help the LA/SPCA?
To make a donation to help the LA/SPCA you can visit the
www.la-spca.org website or you can send a check or money order to:
Louisiana SPCA, PO Box 127, Mandeville, LA 70470.
What is the future of the LA/SPCA?
While operating the Algiers facility, the LA/SPCA will be developing
its plans to build a new home for the LA/SPCA organization. Guided by a
priority to improve the quality of life of all companion animals, we are
committed to educating our community about issues affecting animals;
advocating and lobbying for improved local and state animal protection
laws; reducing animal overpopulation through aggressive spay/neuter
programs; investigating animal cruelty cases; ending dogfighting in our
state; promoting the human/animal bond; and finding loving families for
displaced and homeless animals.
How do I sign-up to volunteer?
You may sign-up online or by completing an
application at our new location in Algiers.
 What other humane
organizations assisted the LA/SPCA in its rescue
efforts.
A variety of wonderful rescue groups have sent staff and volunteers
to assist with the effort. Many of these organizations have committed to
ongoing assistance, well into 2006. We are extremely thankful for the
help we received. Howls and meows to the American Humane Association,
Animal Rescue League of Boston, ASPCA, Arizona Humane Society, Aspen
Animal Shelter, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Bradford Hills Vet
Hospital, Broward County Humane, CAAWS, Cat Haven, Connecticut Humane
Society, Denver Dumb Friends League, Fulton County Animal Services,
Grapevine TX Animal Control, Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue,
Hill Country Humane Society, HOP, Inc, Horse Haven Tennessee, Houston
SPCA, Humane Society of Louisiana, the Humane Society of the United
States, IFAW/Code 3, Kentucky Animal Control, Louisiana State
Veterinarian s Office, NDMS/FEMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT),
Nebraska Humane Society, Norwell Animal Control, Oakridge Animal Control
and Shelter, Oregon Humane Society, Pasados Safe Haven, San Diego Humane
Society, Sevier County Humane Society, Southern Hope Humane Society,
SPAY Louisiana, Los Angeles SPCA, SPCA of Texas, U.S. Public Health
Service, Office of Readiness Force. The Louisiana Department of
Agriculture & Forestry and the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services oversee
the entire rescue operation statewide.
Help us,
Help them!
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