Heidi checked in last night with many updates. First, she reports that it is cold in New Orleans. This obviously adds a complication for both the human and animal welfare.

The situation is dire in the city and surrounding areas. The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA) is killing rescued animals by lethal injection after five days—tags or no tags. This gives owners less than a week to find their rescued pets Rumor has it that “un-adoptable” breeds like rotties and pit bulls are being killed immediately. We cannot confirm this rumor, however.

The LA-SPCA has received $4 million, $2.5M from the Humane Society of the United States and $1.5M from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It is likely that they have received a lot more through private donations.

The good news is that the LA/SPCA has formed a multi-agency assessment team that “will evaluate the state-of-animals in the city.”

The LA-SPCA states that “The assessment team shall be comprised of two professionals each from the Humane Society of the United States, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Best Friends Animal Society, American Humane Association, United Animal Nations, and US Public Health Service.”

The team went out on November 15 and “will collect detailed data for two days and nights. The results will be analyzed so that current operations can be tailored to suit the needs of the animals and citizens in the New Orleans community.”

We are now waiting for the results of this effort. We will let you know when they issue a press release.