Brent and Bailey first met in December of last year. While Brent was apprehensive, the two became fast friends. Brent and Bailey’s relationship is a little different from most. Brent Addison, a secondary education sophomore, adopted Bailey, a chocolate lab, from the East Baton Rouge Parish animal shelter, and since then, the two have been nearly inseparable.
“At first I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Bailey adjusted quickly; she’s a great dog,” Addison said. “Everyone that sees her says what a beautiful dog she is and they can’t believe she’s a pure breed from the pound.”
Plenty of friendly, healthy pets are available for adoption from the local animal control center and humane society.
Dez Crawford, assistant director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Center said the center serves as a shelter to animals without homes and is eager to place abandoned animals in loving homes.
Crawford said the facility shelters animals that have been accepted into the adoption program.
“It is the center’s obligation to accept any animal which is dropped off, no animals are turned away,” Crawford said.
Crawford said while every animal is accepted, the center cannot guarantee every stray will be accepted into the adoption program, because many of the animals brought to the shelter are sick and unable to be put up for adoption.
“About three-fourths of the dogs that we receive have heartworms, and about the same percentage of cats have either feline leukemia or FIV, a feline form of AIDS,” Crawford said.
Crawford explained that while it is unfortunate, these animals must be humanely euthanized because there simply are no funds to finance treatment and rehabilitation for sick animals.
“The shelter comes after the new fire truck, after the pot hole is fixed, and because of this it is simply impossible for the shelter to care for unhealthy animals,” Crawford said.
All animals are screened before being placed into the adoption program to ensure that only friendly, healthy animals are available for public adoption.
“There is a misconception that there is something wrong with the pets adopted from shelters. That couldn’t be more untrue,” Crawford said.
Crawford said all animals in the adoption program remain until they are adopted. No animals from the adoption program are euthanized.
Because all accepted animals remain, there is an abundance of animals which need loving homes, Crawford said.
Rates for adoption vary depending on age and species, Crawford said.
Adult dogs from the shelter are available for $60 and adult cats for $50. Puppies may be adopted for $50 and kittens for $40.
Crawford said every adopted animal leaves the shelter spayed or neutered, pre-wormed, and up to date with vaccinations for common contagious diseases.
In addition to these procedures, those who adopt will receive a pre-paid voucher for a rabies shot, tag and license, Crawford said.
“All of this is included in the adoption fee. It’s extremely reasonable,” Crawford said.
In addition to the local shelter, animals also may be adopted through private adoption agencies and humane societies, such as the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society.
Christine Loftin, vice president of CAAWS, said CAAWS adoption criteria and rates are similar to the shelter’s rates.
Loftin said CAAWS is a private adoption agency which has a foster program in addition to adoption.
“The foster program is a great thing to do, if you are able,” said Margaret McMichael, a foster parent.
Loftin said the foster parents provide love and shelter to the animals at the center until they are adopted.
Because CAAWS is a privately funded organization, Loftin said it relies on volunteers to foster the animals.
“We are always looking for foster homes. There is very limited space at the CAAWS facility,” Loftin said.
CAAWS will provide any medical care necessary for the animal while it is under foster care.
Loftin said if foster parents are unable to provide food for the animal, CAAWS also will provide it. This leaves the foster parent responsible only for loving and caring for the animal until it is adopted.
Foster parents are responsible for bringing their animal to adoption days, which are every Saturday at CAAWS.
McMichael has fostered a total of four dogs and said every experience has been positive.
“I’ve loved them all to pieces, they were all great dogs,” McMichael said.
If fostering and adoption are not possible, those who wish to help may volunteer or donate to the agencies.
Crawford said the shelter and CAAWS are both always in need of any supplies which people are able to donate.
Crawford suggested towels, metal food bowls, puppy chow and bleach just to name a few.
Some local students and members of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), recently got involved in the cause through Penniez for Petz, a fund-raiser which the organization sponsors.
The students, puppies in hand, collected pocket change from passing students and faculty outside of CEBA and in Free Speech Alley this week. Crawford joined the group, offering adoption information to interested students.
Kristen Melancon, vice president of AITP and an ISDS senior, said the group sponsors the fund-raiser every year and its members are happy to help.