🐾 Petition: Improve Shelter Outcomes, Extend Lifesaving Opportunities, and Reduce Preventable Euthanasia Overview To Mayor Marshall Simien Jr. , the Lake Charles City Council, Calcasieu parish police jury, and the Calcasieu Animal control. We are community members concerned about the current conditions and outcomes in our local animal control and shelter system. While we recognize and respect the difficult work shelter staff perform under limited funding, space, and legal requirements, we believe the current system can be improved to better protect and save adoptable animals. Too many healthy, treatable, and adoptable animals are being euthanized after short shelter stays due to capacity limitations and limited placement opportunities. We believe this is not solely a staffing issue or policy requirement—it is also a resource, outreach, and system design issue that can be improved with community support and structural change. We respectfully request the following reforms: 1. Expanded funding efforts through grants and dedicated coordination We request consideration of a dedicated staff role or trained volunteer team responsible for: Applying for animal welfare grants and funding opportunities Securing outside financial support for shelter operations Supporting spay/neuter and intake reduction programs This could reduce financial pressure that contributes to overcrowding and euthanasia decisions. 2. Reduced financial barriers to adoption We request a review of adoption fee structures and consideration of: Reduced or waived fees for long-stay or at-risk animals Sponsored adoption programs funded by donors or partnerships Community-supported adoption assistance funds The goal is to ensure cost does not prevent adoptable animals from finding homes. 3. Expanded foster and rescue partnerships We request increased collaboration with: Local and regional rescue organizations Foster volunteer networks Transport programs that move animals to available placement areas These partnerships can reduce shelter overcrowding and increase live outcomes. 4. Improved visibility and outreach for adoptable animals We request: Faster and more consistent online posting of incoming animals Increased social media and community outreach efforts Earlier notification to rescue groups when animals are at risk due to space limitations Visibility saves lives by increasing adoption and rescue response time. 5. System review to prioritize live outcomes We request a formal review of current intake and disposition practices with the goal of: Increasing adoption rates Reducing preventable euthanasia Expanding alternatives to shelter housing when capacity is limited Our position We are not asking for unsafe practices or disregard for legal requirements. We are asking for a more effective, better-funded, and more life-focused system that gives animals more time and more opportunities to be placed into homes. We believe animals deserve a fair chance at life when solutions exist that could prevent unnecessary loss. We also believe our community is willing to help support those solutions.   Call to action   We ask local officials, animal control leadership, and community stakeholders to review these concerns and consider implementing reforms that increase live outcomes and reduce preventable euthanasia. If you believe animals deserve more time, more visibility, and more chances at adoption, please sign and share this petition. Together, we can build a system that better reflects the compassion of our community.