Creating Safer Communities for Animals

Creating A Safer Community for People and Pets

Protecting Animals When They Need It Most

When animals are in danger, the Louisiana SPCA’s Humane Law & Rescue team is there to answer the call.

Through a partnership with the City of New Orleans, the Louisiana SPCA provides animal control services for Orleans Parish, including 24/7 emergency response. Every day, Humane Law & Rescue officers work to protect vulnerable animals, respond to emergencies, and help keep our community safe for both people and pets.

So far in 2026, the team has responded 843 times to animal welfare concerns throughout Orleans Parish. Behind every response is an animal needing help, a concerned resident, or a family looking for support. 

Looking Beyond The Situation

No two calls, courtesy visits, or emergency responses are ever the same. Every situation brings its own challenges, and each one requires our team to be ready to respond.

Our Humane Law & Rescue officers respond to injured and stray animals, aggressive animal and bite cases, welfare concerns, wellness checks, and animals in unsafe conditions. Some situations require immediate intervention, while others involve connecting pet owners with resources, education, or support.

Every call is carefully evaluated to determine the best outcome for the animals involved. By combining compassion, expertise, and a commitment to animal welfare, the team helps create safer outcomes throughout our community

When Intervention Changed Everything For Mali  

Meet Mali, now named Eliza, a Belgian Malinois our Humane Law & Rescue team found with her head stuck inside a plastic jar, struggling to breathe, wandering Edna Karr High School’s campus.

After a brief chase on the school’s campus, one of our Humane Law Enforcement officers was able to safely bring her into the shelter. Upon arrival, staff noticed that she was emaciated, fearful and avoided eye contact. In addition to being severely underweight, Eliza was diagnosed with upper respiratory infection (URI) and heartworms.

Our shelter clinic team got right to work: vaccinations, URI and heartworm treatment, microchipping, and spay surgery. Not only did our team work to heal Eliza physically, but we also worked on improving her mental health. Our behavior specialist paired her with office fosters for one-on-one enrichment to give her the socialization she needed.

Less than a month later, Eliza found her forever home. Four months after the adoption, a follow-up visit at our clinic confirmed that Eliza is now thriving and happy!

Building A Community That Protects Animals

Animal welfare is a collective responsibility that strengthens our bonds as a community. Building a safer community for animals is a shared effort in which everyone can play a role.

Every report submitted, every pet reunited with its family, and every animal provided with assistance contributes to a safer, more compassionate environment for both people and pets. If you witness an animal emergency, call 911. If you’ve lost or found a pet, filing a lost or found pet report can help reunite families faster.

Whether responding to emergencies, educating pet owners, or investigating welfare concerns, the Humane Law & Rescue team works each day tirelessly to protect animals across Orleans Parish.

Explore the Louisiana SPCA’s pet care resources to find expert guidance on behavior, training, responsible pet ownership, and more. By sharing these resources with friends, family, and neighbors, you help foster a more informed and compassionate community for animals. 

Rescue Runs On You

Every appointment, every bag of pet food, every training session, every community connection and every animal protected represents people coming together to make a difference. 

Veterinarians, staff, volunteers, community partners and supporters all play a role. 

Because rescue isn’t only what happens inside a shelter. 

Because rescue isn’t only what happens inside a shelter. 

Sometimes, rescue means preventing an animal from ever needing one. 

Want to learn more about Humane Law & Rescue, reporting concerns, animal welfare laws, or career opportunities? Visit our Humane Law & Rescue resources to see how this dedicated team helps protect animals and support our community every day. Together, we can continue to build a safer, more compassionate community for people and their pets.