New animal alliance director outlines focus on shelter improvements

In an open letter to the community released this morning, the Companion Animal Alliance’s new director Kim Sherlaw says, “Much work must be done to provide a clean, comfortable, safe, species-appropriate, stimulating and enriching environment” at the East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Center. To that end, Sherlaw says, several initiatives will be undertaken or completed at the shelter in the next several weeks, including: completion of repair work on the 30-year-old kennels in the dog enclosures; standardization of protocols and training for staff and volunteers to improve shelter cleanliness, customer service and the promotion of healthier, happier and more adoptable dogs and cats; and improvement of partnerships with community rescue groups, animal advocates and spay and neuter resource groups in the area. “As the former director of both a No Kill shelter in Norfolk, Virginia, and an open-access community shelter in Bermuda, I know how challenging it will be to achieve our vision of a permanent home for every adoptable animal,” reads Sherlaw’s letter. “I also know that we can be successful.” Sherlaw took over as CAA director in late April, replacing Laura Hinze, who resigned as director in September after being on the job less than two months.