EPPJ hears animal shelter options

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury heard about possible options for establishing and staffing an animal control and shelter facility, during its monthly committee meeting session Monday, April 6.
Jill Stevens, a volunteer with the parish’s animal rescue organization, presented the jurors with the results of studies that have been made of the parish’s options. Those studies were based, in part, on successful efforts in other parishes, and of what services are available from students at veterinary colleges.
Others involved with this parish’s efforts were also at the meeting, including Dr. Armand Coreil, a Ville Platte veterinarian.
Stevens said she and another local volunteer, Nicole Moats, began rescuing small animals last year, advertising their availability for adoption on Facebook. They also host adoption events every month or two and have been networking with other rescue groups in the region.
Stevens showed jurors a plan for a full-service adoption hub that would include sections for animals for adoption, for strays, separate areas for bringing in animals and offices, a lobby for prospective adopters and other areas. She said the plans would also include a “meet and greet yard,” because dogs act different in such areas than in the kennels where they are kept.
The adoption hub, based on an existing Baton Rouge facility, would have 42 kennels.
The police jury has set aside about half the $500,000 it would cost to build the adoption hub. Responding to questions from jurors, Stevens described an alternate plan for a less costly facility that would have about the same number of kennels, but would not have offices and other amenities the adoption hub would have. She said state regulations require large fans be used in open facilities during the summer, and that tarps be used to cover the sides and heat lamps be used during the winter.
Stevens said there are other people involved in animal rescue operations in south Louisiana that could discuss grants and other funding sources. She also said other parishes are minimizing operational costs by, for example, using inmate labor to feed and care for the animals during the day, when volunteers are at their places of employment and not available to care for the animals. Also, other parishes impose significant fines on people who own nuisance animals, she said.
While the Evangeline Parish Police Jury has discussed the need for a parish facility for stray animals, this was the first meeting when the jurors were presented with plans for an adoption hub and less costly shelter, and a written needs assessment. Juror Bryan Vidrine thanked the volunteers for their work on the problem. “This is a starting place,” he said.
The jurors also discussed the first big weekend at Crooked Creek since improvements have been made to roads, parking areas and other features there. Juror Lamar Johnson said the recreation park was “packed full” on Saturday. Donald Bergeron, police jury secretary/treasurer, said the park raised $18,000 in rental and admission fees during the Easter weekend.
Chester Granger, public works director, suggested the jurors set the same times for “quiet hours,” unless a special permit is issued, for all facilities under the control of the parish to minimize confusion of the public who use those facilities.
Juror Vidrine suggested people who use Crooked Creek frequently be given the option of purchasing a yearly pass for use of four-wheel recreational vehicles.
Those suggestions will be taken up during the regular monthly meeting of the police jury on Monday, April 13.