Photo by Robin MayThe Lafayette Parish Animal Control Center (LACC) is kicking off its first in a series of monthly “Adoption Events,” on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 1 - 5 p.m. at its facility located at 613 W. Pont Des Mouton Road in Lafayette.
The event is open to the public for those interested in adopting dogs, puppies, cats or kittens that are housed at the shelter. The original launch was postponed following the recent flooding events in and around Lafayette Parish.
Lafayette Mayor President Joel Robideaux said in a release that he expects an increase in the number of adoptions as a result of adding the Saturday adoption hours.
“We understand the need to work around people’s busy schedules and hope to make adopting an animal more appealing and convenient for the public,” says Robideaux.
Additionally, Saturday adoptions will allow both the adopted animal and their new owner the remainder of the weekend to become acquainted with each other’s needs and schedules before resuming the regular work or school week on Monday.
In January, Robideaux announced his plan for LACC to become a no-kill shelter by increasing adoption and rescue rates and drastically reducing the euthanasia numbers. According to Robideaux, this weekend adoption opportunity is a step in the right direction towards achieving that goal.
LACC will be open for adoptions only on the afternoon of September 24 and will not accept animals for intake on this day. Regular shelter hours are from 1 - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Following the August 12 flooding, LACC sheltered pets whose owners were temporarily displaced and pets, which were separated from their owners during an evacuation. Pet owners who suspect their animal may have been rescued by LACC should visit the shelter in person to see if their pet was picked up. Shelter volunteers and employees are not able to identify lost pets over the phone.
The Robideaux administration has partnered with Target Zero, a national nonprofit organization which works with community animal shelters to implement best practices to decrease animal euthanasia and increase the rescue and adoption rates. In addition to increased adoption opportunities, other short-term efforts to achieving no-kill status for LACC include ramping up its collaboration with local organizations to adopt-out animals admitted to the shelter.
For more information on the Lafayette Animal Control Center visitwww.lafayettela.gov/aCPlus.