It was early 2016, and Louisiana was experiencing unprecedented flooding. Delta Humane Society of Louisiana wanted to do a transport of animals from Louisiana to some northern states to help relieve the pressure on local rescues and shelters. They needed funding to do so, and they needed it fast. Casey Lattimer of Delta Humane Society of Louisiana submitted a grant request to JDHF.
One of the benefits of a small organization like JDHF is that we are not bogged down in arduous procedures that many large organizations require. When funding is needed urgently, once approved, we’re able to get a check out in a matter of days, not weeks or months.
During the grant process, we learned that the community where Delta Humane is located is an underserved area, with 24% of the population living in poverty. Not only performing animal rescue, Delta Humane also serves as the quasi-animal control agency for the area as there is no government funded agency.
JDHF funded Delta Humane’s initial transport but we wanted to do more given all that they were trying to do with little support from their already struggling community. Delta Humane had explained that they were saving for a transport vehicle of their own, but they had borrowed from the vehicle fund to do another transport due to the great need. JDHF awarded Delta Humane a $10,000 grant to put toward the purchase of a transport vehicle of their own.
What is really heartwarming about Delta Humane is, once they purchased their transport vehicle, they didn’t just use it for their own benefit. As the flooding continued in Louisiana, Delta Humane went to other areas in need and did transports from those areas. When Texas suffered flooding a year later, Delta Humane went to Texas to help there. They paid forward the grant by helping others.
It’s been nearly three years since we helped Delta Humane, and they still update us with all of the good work that they are able to do thanks to a simple thing like a vehicle, which JDHF was fortunate to be able to help fund. A few days ago we received this update from Casey:
We just wanted to thank you once again for giving us the gift that keeps on giving….our bus!!! Last weekend, we made our 14th trip of the year and took 25 dogs to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New England, Since JHF helped us fund the purchase of our transport bus in 2016, we have tripled the number of animals we have saved and re-homed from a poor Louisiana parish that doesn’t even have animal control. We also use our “Magic Barking Bus” for events and we belong to a pet food bank in Pennsylvania so on the way home from our transports, we load up with enough food to feed all of our dogs for the coming month! We have loaned our bus to other organizations during natural disasters and 2 hoarding situations too. Your generosity has impacted more than just the animals and people in our organization and you should feel SO proud and let your supporters know!
Regards, Casey
JDHF co-founder Nancy Heigl has a special respect for “boots on the ground” rescues and the hard, excellent work that they do. JDHF is proud to have helped Delta Humane Society of Louisiana.
If you would like to help JDHF help hardworking groups like Delta Humane Society of Louisiana, please donate.