Harahan - The Jefferson Parish Council took steps Wednesday to improve conditions at the parish animal shelter.
After recent controversy and upheaval, including the resignation of the shelter's director, the council passed a resolution asking the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to take control of the shelters for the next three months.
Parish president Aaron Broussard says the idea is make sure the shelters are operating to professional standards and best practices.
“Specifically, we're asking the American SPCA to provide us with an experienced and respected animal shelter director to come to Jefferson Parish and to work on a daily basis with our interim shelter director for up to 90 days.”
The parish is also exploring the possibility of taking proposals to privatize operation of the shelters and looking into using a former west Jefferson hospital clinic building in Terrytown as the basis for a new shelter.
Broussard also says the parish is working to increase spay and neuter programs in order to address the root cause of homeless animals.
