Hurricane Katrina

Fosters For Cats Seized From Hoarder

3/2007, Pam Leavy  ~  Thanks to APAWS and Spay Baton Rouge, 65 cats and 7 dogs were removed from a hoarding situation by 2/26/07.

1. Foster Or Adopt: Dianne, 225-572-1156 or Emily, 225-335-4606
   Foster and forever homes are needed for currently boarded cats. If any "barn cats" turn out to be friendly, they too will enter the adoption program.


2. To Donate: www.apawspets.org  /  email: apawspets@yahoo.com
   www.spaybatonrouge.org  /  email: spaybatonrouge@yahoo.com
   Monetary donations are desperately needed for boarding fees and vaccinations, combo testing, spay/neuter, ear mite treatment and more minor medical issues. In addition, the cats and dogs are covered with fleas and require treatment.

3/14/07, apawspets@yahoo.com  ~  Cats have begun to come back from foster homes, you know the story: We helped as long as it was news but expected the perfect cat, adopted in a day or two. One foster relinquished all dogs to us. We don't have funds to vet them for adoption. We presently have 11 cats and 2 dogs at a boarding facility, with 2 cats at Animal Ark. One may need eye removal and another has mouth issues. All have ear mites, fleas and allergies. The barn cats seem okay, but some want inside. They don't seem to be barn cats at all, and thus, may soon reenter the program. We are out of money to board and treat these animals. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Cockfighting: Louisiana Now Stands Alone

Louisiana SPCA
701 Thayer Street
New Orleans, LA 70114
504-368-5191, fax: 504-368-3710
Laura Maloney, CEO, 504-368-5191 ext 200

3/12/07  ~  Today New Mexico became the most recent state to ban cockfighting. With that passage Louisiana is now the only state in the country that still allows the activity. This is true despite the fact that 82% of Louisiana residents favor a legislative ban on an activity recognized as a cruel and barbaric blood sport.

Earlier today, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed legislation that makes cockfighting a crime in his state. Cockfighting opponents now focus solely on Louisiana which has yet to outlaw the activity. LA-SPCA, a strident and longtime advocate to end cockfighting, feels that the renewed attention on Louisiana will not be lost on state lawmakers, and that the pendulum to end cockfighting is clearly swinging toward those who want to see an end to an activity that encourages roosters to brutally fight one another to their death.

"The country is already focused on Louisiana due to our massive recovery efforts, and no one wants to see Louisiana blemished with the stigma of the only state that still allows such a brutal and inhumane practice," said Laura Maloney of the LA-SPCA. "Cockfighting is an outdated blood sport and with it comes the stain of illegal gambling, violence and crime. We feel the tide has turned and we're confident our legislature is aware of the cultural shift."

LA-SPCA has tirelessly lobbied Louisiana lawmakers during past legislative sessions. For the first time last year an anti-cockfighting bill authored by Senator Arthur Lentini made it as far as the legislature's Agricultural Senate Committee. Although the bill was finally defeated in the full House, cockfighting opponents saw it as a promising step. LA-SPCA intends to bring its battle back to lawmakers with the opening of the 2007 legislative session in April where a bill to outlaw the practice is sure to be introduced.

In 2004, a poll conducted by Hill Research Consultants indicated that 82% of the Louisiana residents favor a legislative ban against cockfighting. Seventy-eight percent of New Orleanians feel strongly that the legislature should outlaw the sport. Even 77% of citizens in Lafayette, where the activity is often practiced, believe the sport should be illegal.

Along with horrific images of roosters fitted with sharp razors to gouge and puncture until one dies, the sport is also a concern to LA-SPCA and others because young children are often in the audience and exposed to the activity. "Cockfighting is often billed as a form of 'family entertainment' by its supporters and young children who are often in the audience observing this barbaric sport are desensitized to violence," added Maloney.