Acadiana Animal Aid has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) as part of its national ASPCA Relief and Recovery Initiative, which includes providing a minimum of $2 million in critical funding for animal welfare organizations whose programs, operations, or fundraising capabilities have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The grant will help AAA fund sheltering and foster expenses, which have been a critical component of Acadiana Animal Aid’s operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Acadiana Animal Aid is grateful to the ASPCA for the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant funding,” said AAA Executive Director Jeanine Foucher. “Like so many animal welfare organizations, our shelter had to completely reconfigure operations, postpone fundraising events, and, in our case, suspend our lifesaving transport program. This grant provides critical general operating funds to ensure we can continue pulling animals at risk of euthanasia from area municipal shelters and provide veterinary and sheltering services until we can find an adoptive home. During the height of COVID-19, while many shelters were closed to the public, Acadiana Animal Aid remained open to continue saving lives. This grant from the ASPCA enabled us to do that.”
“In addition to the unprecedented challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has created for people, it is also putting animals at risk by straining essential owner and shelter resources,” said ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker. “Considering the vital role pets play in our lives – especially in times of crisis and stress – it’s extremely important to safeguard their welfare as much as we can, and we are grateful to the animal welfare community for stepping up, thinking creatively and courageously, and forging new paths to meet this need. Through the ASPCA Relief & Recovery Initiative, we are helping animals stay healthy and safe as we weather this crisis together.”
Acadiana Animal Aid was one of the only local shelters to remain open during the height of the pandemic making funds and community support especially important.
“We are grateful not only to the ASPCA for their backing during these unprecedented times, but also to the local community for the support they have shown AAA and the shelter animals in need,” said Foucher. “Since the beginning of the pandemic crisis, AAA has placed hundreds of animals in foster care and seen a 56% increase in local adoptions compared to the same time period last year. Our community made this possible.”
For more information regarding Acadiana Animal Aid, please visit www.acadiananimalaid.org.
