The Vermilion Parish Animal Aid is seeking help from the community to help try and keep as many animals alive before they have a date with the gas chamber.

For the last two months Animal Aid, a non-profit organization, has been using the Vermilion Parish Rabies and Animal Control facility to hold some animals who were up for adoption.

An animal that is brought to the facility located between Kaplan and Abbeville either by a warden who catches them on the street or by a pet owner who does want the animal any more, has only four days to live. If no one claims the animal in four days, the animal is brought to the gas chamber in the back room where it is put down. It is then brought to the parish landfill for burial.

But the parish’s Animal Aid group is trying to change the way the Police Jury handles the Rabies and Control Facility. With the help of Joel Rupert, who had been running the facility the last five weeks, Animal Aid has been able to set up a network that lets people adopt animals destined for death.

The Police Jury is letting Animal Aid keep a handful of animals that have been selected for adoption.

According to the president of Animal Aid, the organization is having to buy the food to feed the animals in the shelter that wait to be adopted.

Beth Trahan, the president of Animal Aid, said the Police Jury is not willing to spend a dime on feeding the animals that are waiting to be adopted.

“I expected it,” she said. “I don’t think the police jury knows how many animal lovers there are in this parish.”

Trahan said dry dog food and cat food, along with old rags are needed to feed and clean the animals in the shelter.

Also, she said, if anyone wants to be a foster parent for an animal waiting to be adopted or give a donation of food or money, they can call 893-7388.

Her goal is to have the police jury let the animals waiting for adoption stay in the shelter at least 10 to 14 days. The way the it is now, an animal waiting to be adopted has less than 10 days to live in the shelter before it is put down, she said.

Animals waiting to be adopted can be seen on the Web Site: animalaid@bellsouth.net

At present, there are around 20 dogs and 10 cats on the site. Adoption Fee is $100. This includes vaccinations and spay/neuter.

Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or older

•All animals will be spayed or neutered before adoption

•A background check will be conducted, this may include checking out your residence, inquiring with your veterinarian, etc.

• Securely fenced yard, unless otherwise approved.

• New owner must uphold state laws and provide lots of tender loving care.