April 14, 2017 — The destructive flooding that struck Louisiana in August 2016 was devastating to people and animals in parishes across the state. The Humane Society of Louisiana, which frequently responds to large-scale animal cruelty cases and natural disasters, immediately jumped into action to help four-legged residents affected by the floods: the organization, along with American Humane and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, rescued and re-homed more than 500 animals in Livingston Parish, where an estimated 75 percent of homes were destroyed by the flooding.

To help the organization continue their lifesaving work helping thousands of homeless and helpless animals, American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, awarded the Humane Society of Louisiana a $23,000 grant today, the final of seven total grants given to Louisiana shelters during American Humane’s “Week of Giving”.

The Humane Society of Louisiana plans to use the grant money from American Humane to create a “Disaster Response Staging Ground” at their 47-acre property in Washington parish. A portion of the large property will be made “incident ready” for short-term relief in large-scale cruelty investigations and disasters. When not in use for such purposes, the area will be used for temporary volunteer housing, special events, adoption days, and dog exercise yards.

Following the devastating flooding in Louisiana, American Humane sent its animal rescue team and two giant rescue vehicles to help pets in hard-hit Livingston Parish. They also worked with Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food to deliver 80,000 pounds of nutritious, free food to shelter animals in Louisiana. Now, to help support and rebuild these vital institutions, American Humane is providing a series of major grants during April.

“We were extremely grateful that American Humane came to our aid during the Great Flood of August 2016 and equally grateful for their after-incident support and on-going partnership,” said Jeff Dorson, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana. “We will use this grant to make improvements at our rescue and relief center in Mt. Hermon. We look forward to working with AH in the months and years to follow.”

“We are pleased that we can continue to aid the animals of Louisiana and help those who did so much to help thousands of dogs, cats, horses, and other vulnerable animals during the disastrous floods,” said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “We have been first to serve animals in disasters for 100 years and hope that this grant will serve to help many more in the future.”

About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877.

About the Humane Society of Louisiana
The Humane Society of Louisiana is a private animal protection charity founded in New Orleans in 1988. As leaders in the fight against cruelty to animals, they work to prevent animal abuse and neglect in all its forms. Their mission is to empower individuals and communities to create a no-kill state where the lives of all animals matter.