Wayne Pacelle (right), president and CEO of The Humane Society for the United States (HSUS), presents a check to Dr. Wendy Wolfson, assistant professor of shelter medicine, and Dr. Joel Baines, dean, representing the $300,000 grant from The HSUS to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s shelter medicine program. Senator David Vitter (left) was also in attendance to congratulate the shelter programs receiving grants. Picture courtesy of HSUS.
In 1955, Holly Reynolds drove across the country—from Louisiana to the Michigan—to hear an address by one of the founders of the newly minted Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Last week—at age 97—Reynolds traveled from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to hear another HSUS’ president and CEO give an address.
In the course of welcoming 2,300 attendees from 48 countries to its Animal Care Expo, HSUS’ Wayne Pacelle presented Reynolds with a commendation for her tireless work as an animal advocate. Pacelle originally met Reynolds at a Capital City signing of his book, The Bond, in 2012.
“Every one of us can aspire to be like Holly Reynolds,” Pacelle remarked in a blog at that time. “Passionate, modest, determined and endowed with a fire for justice and a disdain for cruelty.”
In addition to honoring Reynolds, HSUS awarded the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Shelter Medicine Program a $300,000 grant. A 2007 HSUS grant provided the impetus for the founding of LSU’s shelter medicine program. The original grant was intended to provide veterinary students with surgical and hands-on experience and contribute to the needs of animal control facilities and animal shelters in underserved communities in Louisiana.
Over the past 8 years, the program has grown from one faculty member and 2 students per 2-week block serving 6 shelters to one faculty member, one fellow and an average of 4 students per rotation. Now, the LSU team visits 30 shelters and four prison shelter programs. The $300,000 grant will provide funds for another full-time program instructor.
“We work every day to introduce veterinary students to the needs of homeless animals and the problems of pet overpopulation with an overall goal of having students who work or donate time in shelters after graduation,” says Wendy Wolfson, DVM (LSU SVM 1986), assistant professor of shelter medicine.
Wolfson adds that Shelter Medicine Program works to improve quality of life for shelter animals and decreases euthanasia rates in shelters.
“With this generous grant, we can maintain the standard of excellence in Louisiana shelters and increase our participation in needed programs throughout the state,” says Wolfson.
One of the programs that works very closely with Wolfson’s team is Pen Pals, Inc., a non-profit that supports the animal shelter operated by the Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson, La. That prison program received a $150,000 grant from HSUS as well.
Built by inmate labor, the state-of-the-art facility houses approximately 100 homeless pets and an additional 200 animals during a disaster.
Several years ago, Pen Pals became puppy raisers for Florida-based Canine Companions for Independence. The organization provides specially bred lab/golden retriever mixes with $5,000-worth of training to individuals nationwide with profound disabilities at no charge.
In 2014, Pen Pals diversified again and began preparing with shelter dogs to become service dogs for Louisianans.
Creature Feature
Thomas is a friendly guy who was surrendered by his owners. This 8-month-old tabby mix still has plenty of kitten energy. In fact, when he gets wound up, the big guy still plays a little rough. Although he will probably settle down with age, Thomas is best suited to a home with older kids and, possibly, dogs.
Gizelle is a purebred Persian who had a good home. When her owners no longer had the means to care for the 6-year-old, they asked for Cat Haven’s help. Gizelle gets along well with other cats and kids.
Danny was adopted as a young kitten. He was returned to Cat Haven when his owner moved out of state. This big 4-year-old orange tabby is very friendly and loves all people—and, particularly loves to snuggle at bedtime. He gets along well with other cats but has not been exposed to children or dogs.
Princess is a beautiful girl who was adopted as a young kitty. This 6-year-old was returned to Cat Haven when her owner became fatally ill. Princess is an affectionate girl, who is still quite playful. She gets along fairly well with dogs; but, she is slow to warm up to other kitties. While she is fond of teenagers, she is intimidated by young children. So, she is best suited to a home with older children or adults only.
Grady was found stray in a Baton Rouge neighborhood. This 1-year-old Russian blue mix is a very sweet, gentle kitty. He seems to do well with other cats and will probably do well with children and dogs with the proper introduction.
Squeaky was relinquished to Cat Haven because her owner suffered from severe allergies. This 4-year-old Siamese mix is a sweet girl, who loves affection on her own terms. When approached, she typically shies away. But, she will approach a trusted human to give lots of love. Squeaky gets along with other cats and does well with older children. She has yet to be around dogs.
These pets have all been vaccinated, spayed/neutered and FeLeuk/FIV tested. Many other adoptable cats and kittens are available at Cat Haven, http://www.cathaven.org or call the shelter to make an appointment at 636-2680.
