The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) and Tangipahoa Parish Animal Services in Hammond, Louisiana, have begun a year-long “embed” program supported by Best Friends Animal Society. The program aims to develop programs, infrastructure and long-term revenue sources to reach 90% lifesaving rates by the end of 2021 and sustain those levels long-term. Tangipahoa Parish Animal Services faces challenges similar to other Southern shelters — limited resources, low spay/neuter in the community, and more animals than adopters – all with higher animal intake than most shelters in their area. The shelter takes in more than 5,000 dogs and cats annually, which could be dozens on any given day.
Chip Fitz, Director at Tangipahoa Parish Animal Services says the program will give them an opportunity to be proactive in changing the quality of life for animals in our community. Earlier this month the team celebrated completion of a new shelter building. The building had sat vacant due to lack of local funding to complete it. It will be used as a transport hub for Tangi and surrounding rural shelters. The 76-kennel building went into use immediately as the teams prepared for the first transport. This weekend, approximately 90 dogs will be flown to New Castle, Delaware. The flights are operated by Wings of Rescue. The community can follow progress and support this year-long multi-organization collaboration at: www.bvspca.org/tangi.
