This just breaks my heart... possibly hault of LA/SPCA services.

[SunnyJoJo]

here's the link I found it in the local paper there.    http://www.nola.com/pets/index.ssf/2009/11/post_9.html

SPCA halting services in New Orleans in budget dispute with city

Unless the city of New Orleans and the Louisiana SPCA reach an agreement soon, animal control officers will stop rounding up stray dogs and removing raccoons from attics.

SPCA officials threatened similar cutbacks last year before signing a $2.35 million contract in February that did not cover the costs of providing the city with animal control services for the full year. The SPCA will drastically scale back starting Tuesday, retaining only emergency services such as handling dog-bite cases and treating critically injured animals.

In a typical year, negotiations between the two parties are fractious and drawn-out. City officials are working to trim $68 million from the 2010 budget, which they must approve by Tuesday, putting added pressure on the annual talks with the SPCA. They're also working to plug a huge shortfall in this year's budget.

According to the SPCA, Orleans is the only parish ithat contracts for animal control rather than providing the service itself. City spokeswoman Ceeon Quiett said in an e-mail message that all city agencies have been asked to take a 10 percent budget cut in the coming year.

"Despite the budget adjustment, the city continues to work with the SPCA to find ways to reduce the agency's operating costs by providing in-kind services such as vehicles, fuel, repairs to vehicles and pest control services," Quiett said. "The city and the SPCA continue to work together."

Katherine LeBlanc, an SPCA spokeswoman, said the nonprofit organization has proposed two options: maintaining the same contractual terms as this year, or going with the 10 percent reduction and providing services only until September.

LeBlanc said the city has thwarted the SPCA's requests to finalize negotiations by year's end. The best hope for a long-term solution, she said, lies with the new administration that will take office next year after Mayor Ray Nagin's term expires.

"We are hopeful that a new administration will see this contract process differently and create a win-win situation for both parties," LeBlanc said.

The SPCA has posted a notice on its Web site that all non-emergency services will be suspended beginning Dec. 1 until the signing of a new contract for 2010.

Starting Tuesday, the shelter in Algiers, which houses about 350 dogs and cats, will no longer send officers to respond to calls about stray animals, including those threatening humans but who have not bitten anyone. Officers will not trap animals or remove wildlife from homes.

Animal-related code enforcement, such as ticketing for leash law violations, is handled by the SPCA and will also cease if an agreement with the city is not reached.

Most animal control officers will be reassigned to help in aspects of the SPCA's cruelty prevention and animal rescue operations not related to the city contract.

The impact will likely be felt most in the collection of stray dogs and cats, which consumes a large portion of the SPCA's resources. People who find stray animals can still bring them to the shelter, but the SPCA will not respond to calls about animals on the loose.

"We'll deal with bite cases, but as far as our animals, they'll have to stay on the street," LeBlanc said. "When they find a stray animal, most people will call us. Now you're going to have to bring them in."

I just felt compelled to share this, I used to live in southern Louisiana and trust me the SPCA is a great need, there are so many stray animals. I have and still do written letters to every animal organization I know begging them to help with no avail. and now this, this just makes my heart sick. I just needed to share my anger and sadness after reading this article.

[Mom2PunkRockers]

Another blow to the homeless , abused, and abandoned animals in this country. I hope this does not happen , animals will suffer as a result and that is truly a crime.

[SunnyJoJo]

Exactly! I wish there was something I could do. This whole deal is just weighing so heavy on me right now.  

Quoting Mom2PunkRockers:

Another blow to the homeless , abused, and abandoned animals in this country. I hope this does not happen , animals will suffer as a result and that is truly a crime.