Setting Sun
December 11, 2014
Alec Adams
December 11, 2014
After graduating from LSU in May with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, Lafourche Parish resident will serve her parish as the new manager of the Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter.
The position had been vacant for three months and was previously held by Kelli Toups
Knight, a Lockport resident, has named increasing adoption rate as her No. 1 priority with the animal shelter.
“We want to work with some more placement partners out there, get the rescues involved and just lower euthanasia rates,” Knight said.
There are about 15 dogs currently at the animal shelter, but only two had been adopted since her first day before Thanksgiving, Knight told The Times.
“We’ll hopefully be increasing that,” Knight said. “I’d like to see one leave every day if possible, but I know that that takes time. We definitely want to get out to the public that this place is a positive place. It’s going to be a positive experience for those coming here, and it’s going to be positive for the animals getting out of here.”
Knight also wishes to increase the shelter’s public awareness.
“We’re going to be doing hopefully some off-site events, some big events at the shelter coming up to be able to get the public out here and excited about adoption from the shelter itself,” she said.
Deputy Director of Community Services Reggie Bagala called Knight the right fit for the position. Knight impressed him with her “experience along with the great ideas and overall direction she wants to take the shelter in,” he said in a release.
The experience Bagala referenced came from her more than two year working as both a veterinary assistant at an animal hospital and pet adoption councilor for Companion Animal Alliance, which oversees the management of the Animal Control shelter in Baton Rouge.
“Hilary and her staff are committed to giving our citizens the very best shelter services possible,” Bagala added.
Call 985 446-3532 or visit lafourchegov.org and click on the Animal Shelter link for more information about the shelter or how to adopt of foster a pet.
“When [potential animal adopters] come here, they’re going to be more than welcomed with open arms, and they’re going to be seeing us a lot more out in the public eye,” Knight said.
Newly-named Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter Manager Hilary Knight stands outside the shelter in Thibodaux
