2019 Gumbo final - Book - Page 65
Paw Points
Date-a-Dog
ust in time for Valentine’s Day, Companion Animal
Alliance is starting a new program that allows lonely
hearts to go on all the dates they want.
Date-a-Dog is a volunteer program at CAA’s new location on
campus across from Alex Box Stadium. Started by Susan Arnold
and Holly Carville, volunteers for the non-profit shelter, the initiative
aims to help socialize the dogs for adoption and also serve as
advertising.
Forest sits outside of Companion Animal Alliance after his walk
on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.
Another benefit of the new building is that University students who
live on campus and are not allowed to have pets can now easily
sign up for Date-A-Dog and spend some time with a four-legged
companion. All they need to do is participate in a 30-minute
orientation held each month.
CAA was founded in 2010 to decrease the number of animals
euthanized in East Baton Rouge Parish. The shelter has increased
the EBRP animal save rate from 20 percent to 70 percent over
the past decade, according to its website. The save rate is the
percentage of animals the shelter takes in that are adopted.
“Fun,” Carville said. “It is just about fun.”
She said there are all kinds of activities people can do with the
dogs, such as bathing them before leaving and hopping in the car
for an adventure.
Now, with the recent change in location and the creation of the
Date-a-Dog program, CAA wants to raise the number of activities
even higher. Carville said the organization loves its new facilities
and location next to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
“My sister (a member of CAA’s board) said it just has made
everyone so happy to be in such a fabulous facility,” Carville said.
While the program is geared toward helping the dogs at CAA, it
can also help people who just want to relax by spending time with
man’s best friend. Lacey Lamana, a nurse in Baton Rouge, said her
friend invited her along for the orientation on Jan. 5.
“I had rescued a dog before and that changed my life, so I’m
passionate about homeless animals,” Lamana said.
The women both credit each other with getting the program
running, but Arnold said Carville did all the work.
Like CAA, Lamana believes that Date-a-Dog will help the
community to be more aware of the good nature and adoptability
of shelter animals.
“Holly was the one who really took the bull by the horns,” Arnold
said.
“I think it brings awareness to the public that there are great pets
in the shelters that need good homes,” she said.
In less than a month, Carville got t-shirts, bandannas and posters
made. She also got the word out through social media and worked
on the logistical aspects with CAA. But for Carville, Date-a-Dog is
only about one thing.
Lamana’s chosen dog, a black bull-terrier mix named Kanye, could
barely contain his excitement once he got outside. His tail wagged
constantly as he dragged Lamana along, ready to explore LSU with
his new friend.
Story // Raymond Constantino
Photo // Bella Biondini
Design // Briley Slaton
Companion Animal Alliance's new shelter location is foud on 2550
Gourrier Ave. Baton Rouge on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019.
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