Scammers target Laf. animal shelter

Lafourche Parish Government has one message for locals when it comes to picking up the tab for the parish animal shelter: “We’ve got this.”

The parish government budgets for every aspect of operating and maintaining the Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter. It never solicits public funds. So, when callers began notifying shelter manager Hilary Knight that they’d been contacted by phone or letter asking for money, she knew something was amiss.

“We can’t ask the public for money,” Knight said. “Nothing. Period.”

Once she began steadily receiving calls, the shelter manager contacted authorities. “It seems like scammers are always targeting animals and children,” she said. “But this isn’t us.”

Knight and Sheriff Craig Webre are warning locals that telephone calls and letters soliciting donations are scams.

Nor is the agency listed in the letter one with which the Lafourche shelter does business, she said. The animal shelter works closely with Hail Mary, Hope for Animals, Recycled Paws and Friends of the Lafourche Parish Animal Shelter.