Proposed Animal Shelter
Washington Parish, Louisiana – November 9, 2015
This is a narrative of the proposed building / shelter to serve the small animal (cats and dogs) needs of Washington Parish, Louisiana, to be built on Washington Parish Government property in a rural section of Franklinton, known as Sheridan. The building is located on the grounds of a DPW facility on Yacc Road at the intersection of LA. State Hwy. 10, between Franklinton and Bogalusa.
The building plus some planned expansion that will house the animals and administrative help is approximately 4,000 square feet.
The scope of work will include but not limited to the following:
Establish a ventilated general kennel area with 3’x6’ concrete runs*, sloped towards trench drains and piping leading to a waste water system approved by the SPCA and the State of Louisiana DH&H. The plan is to attain a capacity of 20 dogs that could be doubled up in case of temporary excessive animal inflow. Cats will be housed in individual cages placed atop the same approved waste water system.
Construction: 4” minimum concrete, outdoor slab-on-grade w/portioned sloped waste drains throughout.
Climate-controlled intake and exam room with services required for temporary housing of stray and/or abandoned small animals.
Work room with food storage and preparation areas, general storage, bathing and grooming area, and janitor’s station.
Construct a fenced-in yard adjacent to the existing DPW building; fencing and gating will be used to separate the animals as needed and /or recommended by the veterinarian overseeing the animal control program.
Construct additional piping to add to the fresh water resources as needed for the animals consumption and for cleaning the facility; an existing, functioning water well is at the DPW site.
Currently, construction materials (concrete block & reinforcement steel) purchased for this facility are being stored at the proposed site on Yacc Road.
The Washington Parish Planning Commission meets every Month, next meeting scheduled for Tuesday November 18 @ 6 PM at the Parish Courthouse – first floor meeting room. The Washington Parish Animal Control plan will be on the agenda. The Commission is tasked with writing the plan.
Our mission is much broader than building a block and mortar building. An animal control and care program needs to be written and established; funding will be necessary to establish a sustainable sheltering facility.
The Laws* of the State of Louisiana mandate that each Parish is responsible to establish and use all resources available to make the long term changes for animal care that local organizations simply cannot.
*LA R.S. 3:2773 requires that "the sheriff, constable, or other police officers of any parish, ward, or municipality shall seize any dog found unaccompanied by its owner or keeper and running at large on any road, street, or other public place, or trespassing on any premises other than the premises of the owner."
*LA R.S. 3:2774 requires that "each parish shall provide suitable shelters or facilities for dogs seized under the provisions of this Part".
Currently, the Washington Parish Government is working with limited dedicated resources to move this program forward.
Materials that were purchased, concrete blocks, reinforcing steel bars and some used appliances are at the proposed animal shelter site, Yacc Rd. Sheridan.
Site preparation work at the site is ongoing; utility (Sewer, Water, Electric, Etc.) services to the building will be surveyed and updated to serve the needs of the shelter.
