St. Bernard Parish Animal Shelter Library Article
St. Bernard's Animal Shelter Named "Shelter of the Year 1997"
The staff of St. Bernard Parish's Animal Control Center attended a recent Council Meeting expecting to receive an award for their "professionalism and dedication" as they have twice before. Instead, the Executive Director of L.I.S.A. (Legislation in Support of Animals) presented St. Bernard Parish Animal Control/ Shelter Supervisor Ceily Trog with their highest award, Shelter of the Year.
L.I.S.A. is a watchdog group of animal activists, which monitors 70 to 80 animal shelters statewide. Director Jeff Dorson called St. Bernard's shelter outstanding and innovative. Citing the poor conditions his group protested against ten years ago at the shelter, Dorson told the Council, "I didn't think I'd be here 10 years later telling you that you have one of the best shelters in the state." He stated that the credit goes to having such a dedicated director like Ceily Trog and a superior staff.
In accepting the award, Trog stated that St. Bernard Parish Animal Control's success has always been a team effort, singling out her staff as "the hardest working employees in St. Bernard Parish Government". She also thanked the local veterinarians who donate their time and resources to the shelter, the parish government which funds the operation, and Friends of the Animal Shelter which raises private money that allow the shelter to finance programs against animal/ child abuse, no-cost adoptions for seniors and free spay or neuter for pets owned by the indigent.
The Co-President Elect of Friends of the Animal Shelter, Maureen Metiva called the award an achievement that all of St. Bernard Parish should be proud of. She also spoke to the Council about the reality of using euthanasia as a means of population control and the need to prevent these births instead. Metiva explained the group's dedication to resolving the shelter's desperate need for additional employees as well as space and asked for the Council's assistance in realizing this goal. In appreciation to the shelter employees, she introduced them singly and presented each with a set of informal uniform shirts.
Paul Berry, the President of the Southern Animal Foundation also praised St. Bernard's Shelter and Friends of the Animal Shelter for being progressive by being the first area shelter to utilize the Spay - Neuter Intervention Program's van sponsored by his organization. "St. Bernard has sterilized over 400 dogs and cats since August of 1996, sparing perhaps hundreds of unwanted pets from an untimely death at the shelter," he said. He also praised the community for its financial support of the van visits and encouraged St. Bernard's government to support even more visits as many parish governments do already. "This can only help save money in the long run by freeing up your shelter's resources" he added.
Pam Nunez, "Friend's" Co-President Elect stated that it is not the intention of the shelter personnel or of Friends of the Animal Shelter, "to rest on our laurels. The shelter has come a long ways, but there is still much work to be done. It is truly heartbreaking that because the shelter is so small and since they have to house unadoptable bite cases and strays that perfectly healthy, adorable puppies and young dogs must be destroyed for lack of room." She pledged that "Friend's" primary goal for the new year will be the construction of an Adoption Wing and an appeal to the Parish Government to hire additional personnel.
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