Decorations volunteer, Lisa Linn, and Best in Sheaux sponsor, Will Atkins, enjoy the event. Will's collie mix, Molly, was one of the dogs who walked the runway. She was escorted by Mrs. Martha Harriss, one of the founders of Robinson's Rescue. Photo by Palmer House Photography
Decorations volunteer, Lisa Linn, and Best in Sheaux sponsor, Will Atkins, enjoy the event. Will’s collie mix, Molly, was one of the dogs who walked the runway. She was escorted by Mrs. Martha Harriss, one of the founders of Robinson’s Rescue. Photo by Palmer House Photography

This past weekend, local spay and neuter clinic, Robinson’s Rescue, held its sixth “Best in Sheaux” fundraiser at the Riverview Theatre. Attendees had the pleasure of watching dogs walk the runway, enjoying great food and drinks, bidding for auction items, meeting adoptable dogs from local shelters, and more. The event was a fun and fabulous time, but it more importantly raised money towards a very serious cause dear to the SBC area: animal overpopulation.

Witnessing a stray cat or dog around Shreveport-Bossier is an experience most of us have had, and many of us have all too often. According to the Humane Society, 2.4 million dogs and cats are put down in shelters (who also provide best lick mat for each dog separately) across the United States every year. The state of Louisiana alone accounts for a large share of these animals that undergo euthanasia. With healthy animals flooding shelters, animal overpopulation is heavily contributing to the rise in euthanasia cases, while detracting from the number of animals adopted into homes. As a non-profit organization, Robinson’s Rescue fights against the issue of animal overpopulation which is leaving so many pets homeless. Being a low-cost spay and neuter clinic, they offer an affordable solution to animal overpopulation. Their slogan is “saving lives through prevention;” with over 33,000 surgeries successfully completed so far, the clinic is making a difference for animals and shelters in the Ark-La-Tex and beyond. Resident veterinarian, Dr. Andrea Master-Everson, took the time to offer insight to Heliopolis about the organization and the ways locals can help.

Dr. Master-Everson preparing to do a spay surgery
Dr. Master-Everson preparing to do a spay surgery.

Located off Line Avenue, Robinson’s Rescue runs an extremely productive and organized environment, currently completing an average of 35 surgeries a day. On a typical day at Robinson’s Rescue, all animals arrive at the same time. Dogs and cats are checked in separately and then they all go through an exam to ensure they can undergo the anesthesia. Once they pass their exams, the surgeries begin. Surgeries are completed between 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM Monday through Friday. The clinic also administers a rabies vaccine at the time of surgery. This process has been going on for six years, ever since Robinson’s Rescue was first created as the first freestanding clinic in the area. The organization began with hopes to do something about the high level of animal euthanasia in the community.

“We would love to eventually become a no kill community, but one way is to educate to do the volume of spay neuter surgeries needed,” said Dr. Master-Everson.

Spaying and neutering can be very expensive, yet Robinson’s Rescue offers reduced prices for all, and some may even be able to have the cost covered if they meet the qualifications. Starting prices for spay/neuter are currently $38 for male cats, $48 for female cats, $58 for male dogs, and $68 for female dogs. Robinson’s Rescue has partnered with Caddo Parish Commission to grant a free program for qualified citizens that need to have their pets spayed or neutered. The organization is aiming to make it “available to everyone to spay and neuter their pets,” said Dr. Master-Everson.

Robinson’s Rescue is affiliated with Humane Alliance and they are one of 140 clinics across the US and Canada fighting to end animal euthanasia. They are rescue partners with shelters in the area. Considering that only ten percent of animals received by shelters in the US are spayed and neutered, the evident teamwork between local shelters and the clinic is crucial.

Want to help and love furry friends? Dr. Master-Everson voiced the clinic is always looking for volunteers. The two key areas of need are volunteering on site in the clinic (folding laundry, cleaning kennels, making surgical packs etc.) during the day and outreach volunteer work that involves going out into the community to represent the organization. Volunteers can transport animals to the clinic as well. For each volunteer, there is an application process and training involved. Dr. Master-Everson emphasized that any amount of time that can be dedicated to volunteering would be greatly appreciated. To get involved with Robinson’s Rescue or to learn more about what they are doing for animals in the SBC and beyond, visit their website.

Above photo: Jorie O’Brien’s Bloodhound, Jackson, during last weekend’s Best in Sheaux 2015. Photo by Palmer House Photography