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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Denham Springs Animal Shelter Louisiana



As, you most certainly already know Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes in Louisiana were devastated by flooding last week.  
My sister Patti, my niece Jenny and my nephew Forest all live in Baton Rouge with their families.  Thankfully, they and their homes are all safe and dry.  So many people lost everything, and a newspaper report said only 1 in 8 people in BR have flood insurance.  A state of emergency has been declared.
When Jenny told me about the flooding last Friday I immediately thought of the Denham Springs Animal Shelter.  This is where Louise called home for a year and a half before we adopted her, and the shelter is near and dear to our hearts.  Denham Springs Animal Shelter is the only no-kill municipal facility in the entire state.   If Louise had found her way into any other facility she would no doubt have been euthanized well before we found her.
This is our beautiful girl Louise (Louisiana Amelia Mae... because every girl should have a proper name!) on the day we picked her up!  She is truly the sweetest, kindest, gentlest dog in the world and we all love her so much.



This photo was also taken the day we adopted Louise.  The shelter was much larger than shown in the photo, but I loved how they had a pool set out as the heat index was over a hundred on the days we were in town to pick her up and visit with family.  The bare bones facility (think concrete, metal roofs, wire enclosures) was immaculately cared for; so clean and the dogs and cats in their care were obviously very loved and tended to.  Dan and I were so impressed with the shelter and all the people who worked there.  They were all so excited that Louise had finally found her forever home.  
Sweet Louise who lived outside for a  year and a half is terrified of thunder.  Breaks my heart that she had to endure the sometimes daily thunderstorms that occur in Baton Rouge.  
We discus ad nauseam how "when" :) we win the lottery we are going to build the shelter a "Louise Amelia Mae" enclosed and air conditioned building! 



This is the Denham Springs Animal Shelter this past Saturday, water is up to the roof. 
On the first day of rain the volunteers said the animals were all fine and dry on their Facebook post HERE, then the frantic call for anyone with a boat to come help them rescue the animals was posted. As the shelter became engulfed in rising flood waters the staff and volunteers fought to save as many animals as possibly could.  At the end they simply had to unlatch the kennel doors and let the dogs hopefully swim out and climb on a roof in hopes of being saved.  




This video from Beau Madison Rescue Network on Instagram shows the devastation at the shelter, and the dogs waiting on the roof to be rescued.  Heartbreaking.


The dogs that were rescued by boat were taken to a dry street and the neighbors that live there, who did not evacuate, were feeding the dogs. The dogs were allowed to run at large due to the inability of cars and trucks to get to the area.  Those dogs have since been rounded up and are safe, but they are still doing boat rescues to the shelter to look dogs.  The blonde dog in the left front of the photo is Tuff and was one of Louise's roommates when we adopted her.   The shelter's director is still stranded in Denham Springs in a vacant house filled with cats, awaiting rescue.  They are rounding up all their dogs in the flooded area, and know that they will be taking in new animals due to the devastation.
The shelter is desperately seeking temporary fosters for their dogs and cats and kittens. If  you, or anyone you know who loves animals lives in the Baton Rouge or New Orleans area please share this post.
To fill out a Denham Springs Shelter Foster Application HERE



To all my dog and cat loving readers (xxo)  I am in hopes that you might join me in donating to help this wonderful shelter that saved Louise for us!   No amount is too small, $5 would help.  
If you would like to donate please click
  HERE
All funds raised will go to the animal shelter towards recover and rebuilding efforts.  
The Petco Foundation has generously offered to match each dollar raised up to at $100,000.
The following is what Sue Cosby-Jennings, of the Petco Foundation, said about the Denham Springs Animal Shelter on Facebook...

Sue Cosby-Jennings
1 day ago
From the Petco Foundation-- The Petco Foundation joins community efforts to help Denham Springs Animal Shelter flood recovery with matching grant: Even before the flooding, the Denham Springs Animal Shelter in Louisiana had very limited resources. But that never stopped this small organization and its dedicated team from operating the community's animal control shelter and doing everything they could to save animal lives. They are all heart! So it is heartbreaking to imagine what they must be going through during this tragedy. We understand that efforts are ongoing to raise support for the Denham Springs Animal Shelter in their time of need. To encourage this support, the Petco Foundation will match all amounts received by the Denham Animal Shelter during this time up to at least $50,000 in support of the flood recovery and rebuild efforts.
To donate via "go fund me" HERE

To send a check, mail to:
Denham Springs Animal Control
Attn:  RACHEL
600 Bowman Street #C
Denham Springs, LA  70726

To follow the shelter Facebook  HERE  - please share!

To donate to the Red Cross for the people of Louisiana devastated by the flooding  HERE

To read the story from a year ago about adopting Louise and Magnolia HERE



51 comments:

  1. Hi, Joan - So glad you posted this. I was happy to donate. Seriously, I cannot imagine what a horrible situation that would be for the animals and the shelter staff trying to help them. Again, thanks for sharing the story with us.

    Best,
    Kathleen in Virginia

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    1. thank you SO much Kathleen! I know they will appreciate it very much! xxo

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  2. I saw a picture of this shelter a couple of days ago and my heart broke for the dogs on the roof and I feared for the safety of those who had to swim for their life. It seems the water came out of no where. I've followed your stories of Amelia...but had forgotten this was her home for a while. Sending prayers for the dogs and their care takers...

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  3. Bless you for acting on your love of animals and highlighting this situation. Specifically because of your blog post, I just donated to the shelter and was so tickled to see they have met their initial $50k goal in just two days. I'm sure they need much, much more than that.

    Again, good for you for taking the time to use your blog to highlight this important issue. It's working.

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    1. So much dog & cat love! Thank you so much for your donation Tracy!

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  4. It is so terrible sad what is happening in Louisiana right now. The poor animals are so vulnerable. I am happy to hear that they are being rounded up and taken care of. It is so sad. Thank God for people like these that run these shelters. I hope all your readers will donate.

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    1. It really is so terribly sad and these people who run these shelters have a special place in heaven for sure. Thank you Pinky, I do too:)

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  5. Joan,
    I was so sad to hear of the shelter's flooding. I've donated and posted to my fb page in hopes that others can do the same. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
    xo,
    Karen

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    1. thank you so, SO much Karen. And thank you for sharing on FB. xxo

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  6. I love that you are spreading the word about this much deserving shelter. I've donated on behalf of Murphy & Lucy, our rescue babies.
    Thanks for letting your readers know about these sweet babies who need our help.

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    1. That is so wonderful Betty! Thank you and kisses to Murphy & Lucy for the girls.xxo

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  7. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Donation made and I will pass this on to my other animal loving friends!

    Kelly
    Fairhope, AL

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  8. Thank you for letting us know how to donate - done! We have our own rescue boy from Louisianna (through another rescue that gets them from hi kill shelters) and he's been with us for 8 months and we love him dearly. So glad they are raising so much but its a long road ahead and they need all the help they can get.

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    1. Indeed Kate, such a long, long road ahead. Thank you for your donation!

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  9. I am not sure how to donate to the shelter...I posted that question on their site...I live in WI and want to be sure it goes directly to them.

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    1. hi and thank you for wanting to help! If you prefer not to use the "go fund me" site link above in which all donations go to the Denham Springs Animal Control, you can also mail a check to them at:
      Denham Springs Animal Shelter
      Attn: RACHEL
      600 Bowman St # C,
      Denham Springs, LA 70726

      thank you!

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  10. Thank you to EVERY one of you sweet souls for donating! And thank you for telling them that you heard about their plight through the blog, that was just so sweet and unexpected to see, it made me tear up.
    xxojoan

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  11. This post is wonderful. I know your friends will respond to this great need. I don't know how much the rest of the country is seeing about the flooding situation, but it is terrible. It is being said that 40,000 people have been displace and lost everything. The flood waters are still moving into new areas, and rescue is still ongoing. Many shelters have allowed people to bring their animals which is wonderful. This devastation is going to be worse than Katrina. So many people have nothing left to go back to, and no resources to rebuild. Please keep us in your prayers. Patti

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    1. I so hope so too Patti. It is all just so horrible, and feels awful to not be able to do anything, so donating to the DSAC is at least something for the animals. Praying for Louisiana. Love you....

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  12. for once when I whip out my credit card through tears it's for a good cause. Thank you for sharing this Joan. Glad to be able to do something.

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    1. thank you for helping them sweet (and hysterically funny;) Stephen!! xxo

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  13. Prayers, Hugs ear scratches and tummy rubs for all involved. This sounds like an organization that could use a monthly commitment
    like we do with St Juda!! Thanks for advising us about it!! Animal lovers are the nicest people!! Hugs!!

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  14. Oh Joan, this is just heartbreaking. I don't even know what to say. What a terrible situation. The flooding must have happened very quickly. I'm glad that some dogs were able to get to dry land safely. I have to admit, they do look pretty content in that photo! My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their homes, to the shelter workers who are trying so hard to save the lives of the animals in their care ... I'm thankful your family is safe, and I pray that the waters recede and that no other person or animal loses their lives. Thank you for sharing this post with us. I will contribute to the shelter and hope that others will send even a small amount too.
    Claudia

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    1. Thank you Claudia. And the devastation is still going on. The national news was heartbreaking tonight about it all. Thank you for supporting the shelter. xxo

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  15. Thank you Joan for posting this - I just went and donated and posted over to my Facebook page. The response has been so great that Petco just announced they are increasing their matching contribution to $100,000.

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    1. Thank you Cynthia! Isn't that great about the Petco Foundation?!!!

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  16. So sorry to hear of this devastation and people losing homes and those lovely animals being in distress. how lucky your girls are to be looked after by you feeling safe, secure and loved. So happy to donate to hopefully make life a little easier for all. Best wishes Joan from Lillian in HK

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    1. thank you so much Lillian, that is so sweet of you! xxo

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  17. I love your posts. They are so informative, thorough and accurate!! You are an amazing woman and I LOVE you!!! Thank you!!

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    1. You are waaaay too kind dear Alice, but I appreciate your kind words coming from the dog rescue whisperer herself!! I LOVE you too!! xxo

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  18. Ohhh Joan, Thank you, for posting this!!!
    Donation done!!!!!
    Bless these Poochies Hearts!!!!!
    The pics I have seen are Heart Breaking!!
    One in partucular was like Noah's Ark,
    with the old guy in his boat with all the
    animals/Cajun Style.
    I do have deep Louisiana Roots, and
    feel sooooo bad for all the folks and
    Poochies, and all the animals!!!!!
    Hi and bunches of Puppy Tail Wags
    to those precious Pawdorable Sisters,
    from us and Tank and Tanner.

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  19. Thank you for sharing this, and the amount that has been donated is almost at $94,000 in only 4 days, with almost 2000 people donating. Thank goodness for the good and generous hearts of people!

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  20. Couldn't give much but it looks like people ARE giving. Posted on FB and there are alot of folks from Louisiana living near me.
    Thanks for posting this!

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    1. Thank you so much Debe. No such thing as too little- every dollar adds up!!! Thank you for spreading the word. xxo

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  21. Joan, I had posted earlier, don't
    know if my comment got deleted.
    We have made a donation.

    Thank you,
    Karen & John
    Tank and Tanner

    Love ya blog, Louisiana, is very
    dear to my heart!!!


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    1. Thank you so much for your donation Karen & John and Tank & Tanner!

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  22. How wonderful to read about the support Denham Springs has had! What a devastating flood, especially for those most vulnerable. Miss Joan, always a loving soul to those in need. XOXOXXO

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  23. Thank you for sharing. Because I feel that I know you and your pups, I donated and shared on FB immediately!

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  24. Sadly because of natural disasters. May all good things will come to you.
    biet thu dep
    nha xinh

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  25. Joan, As everyone had already shared their thanks for your post, I too am happy to make a donation. I like knowing where my donations are going. I enjoy your blog very much. Keep posting and keep us up with the shelters recovery.
    Jane Hillis
    Alabams

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  26. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings to all fellow animal lovers ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  27. Thank you for Joan for your care and concern for these wonderful animals in need. I just sent my donation. Your outreach efforts are wonderful, keep up the good work. I love reading about your sweet girls too.

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan