LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — The St. Martin Parish Animal Shelter is currently not accepting livestock, prompting questions about what it takes to safely house and care for large animals.
While St. Martin Parish officials work to develop a plan, neighboring shelters say caring for livestock requires specialized training, equipment, facilities, and resources that go far beyond what is needed for dogs and cats.
At the Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Center, staff routinely respond to calls involving horses, cows, goats, donkeys, sheep and other livestock. Shelter Manager Shelley Shield said handling those animals safely requires trained personnel, proper equipment and facilities designed specifically for large animals…