Acadiana Animal Aid (AAA) is the region’s leader in animal transport, adoption, and education. We provide a safe place to land for animals at risk of euthanasia before they take off to their adoptive homes. For 48 years, AAA has played a vital role in saving animals from impoverished, resource-deprived communities. We transfer in pets at risk of euthanasia from municipal shelters throughout the state, provide veterinary and daily care, and create pathways to their futures. AAA is known locally and nationally for its transport program, a lifesaving strategy to reduce the 40% euthanasia rate of shelter pets in Louisiana. Our commitment to saving our region’s pets runs deep – in 2021, we saved nearly 2,400 cats and dogs through local and out-of-state adoptions and transport.
About Us
Our Organization
Founded in 1974 & Chartered As A 501(C)3 Non-Profit Animal Welfare Organization
Acadiana Animal Aid is funded by donations, fundraisers, adoption and transport fees
and is governed by a Board of Directors.
Our Mission & Vision
Acadiana Animal Aid is dedicated to saving the lives of unwanted, stray and neglected companion animals with a focus on those most at risk of euthanasia at our local municipal shelter, and numerous other municipal shelters throughout the state. Overall, our biggest goal is to help achieve No Kill by the year 2020 here in Lafayette Parish.
We work daily to accomplish our vision in saving the lives of companion animals until they all have a home.
Guiding Principles
Acadiana Animal Aid is the largest local animal welfare organization in the area that is leading the way in inspiring a healthy community through compassion for animals.
We strive to not only rescue and find homes for these companion animals, but, also, to be an integral part of inspiring our community through education, volunteer, foster, transport and adoption programs. As a partner to the Pet Food Pantry, we strongly believe in serving as a resource for our community, which includes providing opportunities for them to be responsible, loving pet owners that have access to affordable care and nutrition.
2022 By the Numbers:
Board Members
Kyle Kellner
President
Sandy Giles
Vice President
Emily Hamner
Secretary
Bob Giles
Jimmy Guidry
Liz Webb Hebert
Melanie Landry
Carl Rachal
Alex Stuller
Meet The Team!
Jamie Clark
Shelter Operations/Transport Director
Dr. Katie Crabbe
Veterinarian
Dr. Liz Van Bebber
Veterinarian
Heidi Paterson
Development Manager
Savannah Arnaud
Canine Care Manager
Tori Teer
Intake and Transport Manager
Taylor Fontenot
Adoption Coordinator
Angela Cormier
Feline Care Manager
Megan Emmer
Adoption Coordinator
Simone Bordelon
Adoption/Behavior Coordinator
Krista DeGuelle
Foster Coordinator
Ava Granger
Vet Tech
Debi Johnson
Vet Tech
Mady David
Lead Caretaker
Katie Howerton
Lead Caretaker
Ellen Plonsky
Administrative Assistant
Kim Gates
Facilities Manager
Morgan Parris
Caretaker
Raymie Landry
Caretaker
Want to get involved?
Contact us
Acadiana Animal Aid rescued nearly 2,700 in 2019, with a 99% save rate. Companion animals remain available for adoption/transport as long as necessary and are never euthanized for space.
The save rate, calculated in accordance with the nationally recognized Shelter Animals Count Database Project, reflects the many options for pets that come to the shelter besides adoption, such as animal transfers and animals who are returned to their owner. Acadiana Animal Aid conducts daily and monthly physical inventories and spot audits, to ensure our data is accurate.