Baton Rouge community gives generous donations to local animal shelters

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Animal welfare is a cause that resonates so deeply in our community. That’s why the parent company of Louisiana First News, NBC Universal, is emphasizing local “Clear the Shelter” and “Fill the Truck” events across the country.

At one Baton Rouge Walmart, many in our community have stepped up for animals by making generous donations.

They say they’re happy to be involved, since bringing smiles to people’s faces is something most animals do best.

Animal lover Alicia Voisin said she’s working at Walmart now and is so glad to combine her current job with her animal passion.

“I think I do love animals a lot, because when I was little, I grew up with a lot of animals. I have been waiting for today to see the dogs and everything come out, and also the shelters that are in need of it, and also the donation that we did, because I love when our store donates to the shelters,” Voisin mentioned.

The Walmart at Burbank and Bluebonnet made a huge contribution of pet food, kitty litter, and paper towels, which helped “Fill the Truck,” and shoppers and familiar faces from TV helped out as well.

Kelly Parrish with Dante’s Hope Animal Rescue says her shelter works together with many other local shelters, and Louisiana First News is making sure the donations will be spread among them.

“I love today. I think it’s great to get awareness out,” said Parrish. “I’m so happy that y’all invited us, and I’m so excited to be a part of this. It is wonderful, because everybody needs help. I mean, the dogs, the rescues, and the shelters, they all need help. There are so many people out there who can’t afford to buy food for their animals, so they’re having to surrender them. So, this helps them. Also, with Dante’s Hope, we have a food pantry, so we do distribute food to people who can’t buy food, but they still want to keep the animals.”

The “Clear the Shelters” nationwide pet adoption campaign runs through September this year, bringing awareness to this critical social issue.

The numbers show how much of an impact these events have.

Since 2015, more than 1 million pets have found homes, and more than $5 million has gone to shelters across the country.

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