LIVINGSTON, La. — Livingston Parish’s newest animal shelter facility opened with a doggone delightful ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 12th, 2026. Attendees, including Parish President Randy Delatte, the entire Livingston Parish Council board, and Sheriff Jason Ard with the Livingston Police force all joined together to cut the red ribbon and take a tour of the brand new facility located at 13525 Florida Blvd, Livingston, LA 70754.
“Projects like this do not happen overnight; they require vision, teamwork, and the belief that doing the right thing matters even when it’s not the easiest thing,” President Delatte noted in his opening address.
Over 50 state-of-the-art kennels within the facility feature a tile floor with a grate for easy cleaning, bowls for food and water, a cot with a blanket, and a pull-open hatch for outside access operated by a cartoon bone pulley system along the kennel doors.
The designated space for puppies features a large room with a wide window facing the entryway of the shelter, allowing visitors to see the puppies as soon as they walk in. In a similar fashion, the cat’s room has three large windows built into the front of the building so that both visitors and cats can enjoy the view outside.
While the cat room is not quite finished just yet, the shelter does have a cat hospital to house and rehabilitate cats in the short term, along with plans to renovate the neighboring “old” shelter to also be able to house cats.
Ultimately, the shelter seeks to alleviate some of the burden on local shelters, animal rescues, and the police force who respond to calls about abandoned or lost animals around the parish.
“This is something we really needed,” Sheriff Jason Ard said. “The calls from just October - we had 627 calls just for dog complaints.”
“This facility is about public safety, about humane treatment, and about giving animals a second chance at life,” President Delatte continued. “This shelter represents hope – hope for the families reunited with lost pets and hope for our parish that continues to lead with both strength and heart.”
“We’re super excited to… really start taking over animal control in the capacity that I know we can and take the burden off of [the police force] and really help the pets in the community that really need it,” Amanda, the new director for the animal shelter, stated.
The shelter has already found four lost pets over the weekend, and other dogs have been taken in, including BK, a gentle pitbull who was discovered living behind a local Burger King. Additionally, over 7 other dogs, such as the 4 & ½-year-old “Best Girl!” Valentine and 1 & ½ year old “well-mannered” Matthew are also currently available for adoption at the shelter.
“What we are celebrating is much more than the opening of a building,” President Delatte added. “We are celebrating compassion, responsibility, and the kind of community we choose to be.”
The shelter will be accepting stray animals this coming Monday, March 16th, at 8:00 AM, offering both spay and neuter services for animals as well as microchip and tag services.
