ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 120
BY REPRESENTATIVE MCKNIGHT
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the local governing authorities and animal shelters of the state to adopt
policies and programs which provide alternatives to euthanizing healthy dogs and
cats prior to December 31, 2025.
WHEREAS, safe and humane communities for the citizens and pets of Louisiana is
a universal goal; and
WHEREAS, according to the Best Friends Animal Society, Louisiana ranks fifth in
the number of dogs and cats euthanized in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana has the second highest euthanasia rate of dogs and cats per
capita of 7.09 per one thousand population versus the national rate of 1.90 per one thousand;
and
WHEREAS, the total number of deaths of dogs and cats in 2019 was forty-four
thousand four hundred fifty-eight; and
WHEREAS, thirty-nine percent of the dogs and cats that enter Louisiana shelters do
not make it out alive; and
WHEREAS, many of the pets that are euthanized each year are healthy or treatable
pets that could be placed in homes or feral cats that could be trapped, neutered, and released;
and
WHEREAS, a national survey conducted for the Best Friends Animal Society
revealed that almost seventy percent of citizens do not want cats impounded and euthanized;
and
WHEREAS, many Louisiana shelters are implementing new and innovative
programs and policies to provide alternatives to euthanizing dogs and cats; and
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WHEREAS, these policies and programs include volunteer foster care networks;
adoption programs; medical and behavioral programs; public education and awareness
programs; feral cat trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return programs; animal socialization
programs; and many others; and
WHEREAS, the Best Friends Animal Society has introduced a humane initiative to
end the euthanization of dogs and cats in shelters in the United States by 2025.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the local governing authorities and
animal shelters of the state to adopt policies and programs which provide alternatives to
euthanizing healthy dogs and cats prior to December 31, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Louisiana Animal Control Advisory Task Force and the Best Friends Animal Society.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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