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A Second Chance for Shelter Animals

July 5, 2017

The Lafayette Parish Animal Control Center (LACC) will host its “Second Chance Saturday” adoption event on Saturday, July 8. Held on the second Saturday of each month, Saturday adoptions give animals at the shelter a second chance of being adopted into a loving home. The shelter, located at 613 W. Pont Des Mouton Rd. in Lafayette, will be open from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. for those interested in adopting dogs, puppies, cats or kittens housed at the shelter.

Every adoptable animal from the shelter is neutered or spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, which is a value of $200-500 if provided by most local veterinarians. Adoption fees for dogs and puppies are $100 and $80 for cats and kittens. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover payments are accepted at LACC.

For individuals interested in gifting a shelter pet, adoption gift certificates are the best option. Pet ownership requires planning, and giving a pet as a gift is generally discouraged. Giving an LACC “Gift Fur-tificate” ensures that the recipient is ready to welcome their new pet and it allows them to select a puppy, kitten, dog or cat of their choice. LACC adoption gift certificates are available for purchase at the shelter and cover costs associated with regular adoption, including spaying/neutering, vaccinations and microchips.

The Second Chance Saturday adoption series is aimed at increasing LACC’s adoptions, thereby reducing the euthanasia rate. Extended adoption hours have increased the number of adopted animals and have proven to be more convenient by working around people’s busy schedules. Saturday adoptions also 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 week on Monday.

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux announced a no kill shelter initiative early in his administration and has partnered with Target Zero, a national nonprofit organization which works with other community animal shelters. In addition to extended hours, LACC is implementing other best practices to decrease animal euthanasia and increase live outcomes such as ramping up collaborations with local organizations to provide new avenues to adopt-out animals admitted to the shelter.

LACC will only be open for adoptions on the afternoon of July 8 and will not accept animals for intake on this day. Regular adoption hours are from 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on the Lafayette Animal Control Center visit www.lafayettela.gov/aCPlus or https://www.facebook.com/LafayetteAnimalControlCenter/.