Helen Woodward Animal Center and Heart of Louisiana Go-the-Distance for Orphan Pets…
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2020) – On the list of “essential jobs” still up and running during the COVID-19 crisis, life-saving work tops the list. Unfortunately, in a world stymied by human pandemic fear, the millions of orphan animals who depend on rescue to keep them alive may not be the first ones who come to mind. On Friday, April 3rd, Helen Woodward Animal Center is proud to be a part of the rescue of over 70 orphan Louisiana pets whose lives were on the line. Thanks to a partnership with Heart of Louisiana, the first transport of these homeless canines will arrive at the Rancho Santa Fe facility, with the second transport only days behind. The media is invited to welcome the first arrival of furry Louisianans FRIDAY, April 3rd @ 11:00 a.m. at Helen Woodward Animal Center – 6523 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 (behind the adoptions building).
Heart of Louisiana is a foster-based organization without a building of its own. A big-hearted rescue located in rural Louisiana, the group pulls orphan pets from over-burdened and high-kill area shelters, in addition to accepting stray pets, then places them in shelters better equipped to get the animals adopted.
The life-saving partnership between Heart of Louisiana and Helen Woodward Animal Center began at an animal welfare conference. After hearing about the organizations struggles, Helen Woodward Animal Center president and CEO Mike Arms invited Heart of Louisiana leadership to the Center’s The Business of Saving Lives conference, covering all travel fees. A friendship was sealed and the first transport of Louisiana rescues arrived at the Center on February 11th.
“We heard from Heart of Louisiana last week,” explained Helen Woodward Animal Center Operations Director Jennifer Shorey. “Louisiana is considered a ‘hot spot’ and with the intense government restrictions put in place, shelters are unable to accept any new orphan pets. They were devastated because there was literally no one in Louisiana who could take these animals.”
In a very quick turnaround, Helen Woodward Animal Center staff had secured a transport partner and San Diego foster families for thirty-six of the arriving Louisiana canines. The additional 36 will arrive on Tuesday, April 7th.
Heart of Louisiana Humane Society spokesperson Caitlin Hemphill stated, “We have been struggling to continue to help all the animals in our overpopulated area during the pandemic. Our foster families are out of room and we have had to shut down intake due to restricted space. When we are unable to transport our animals to find loving homes for them, we are unable to take in and save more. We cannot express our gratitude enough for the amazing people at Helen Woodward Animal Center for reaching out to us at this critical time. It is truly a lifesaving event, and without them, so many more animals here would perish. It takes a village and we are forever grateful to be a part of this amazing team. Our hearts go out to all the families affected by COVID-19, but our hearts also go out to the abandoned and neglected animals that have no other opportunities for help. We have strived for over 12 years to help be a part of the solution, and will continue to do so, and with the help of organizations such as Helen Woodward Animal Center we will continue to make a difference for the animals.”
Friday morning, April 3rd, the Louisiana pups will arrive at the Center at approximately 11:00 a.m. The CDC states that it has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. Further, in the United States, there is no evidence to suggest that any animals, including pets, livestock, or wildlife, might be a source of COVID-19 infection. However, all Center staff assisting with the arrival of the Louisiana pups will be prepared with personal protective equipment and the arriving animals will be immediately bathed and given medical exams before placing them into the homes of foster families. The majority of these orphan pets will go available for adoption next week.
“When it comes to orphan pets,” Shorey explained, “it doesn’t matter what part of the world we live in or what challenges we have to confront. It is our mission and our honor to save these beautiful creatures and we will find a way.”
For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center, please go to www.animalcenter.org, call 858-756-4117 or stop by at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.