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Governor Kathleen Blanco
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 94004; Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9004
ph: 866-366-1121; 225-342-0991; 225-342-7015; fax: 225-342-7099
web email address

Dr. Maxwell Lea, Jr., State Veterinarian
Office of Animal Health Services, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
P.O. Box 1951; Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1951
office: 225-925-3980; fax: 225-925-4103
email: mlea@ldaf.state.la.us, maxwel_l@ldaf.state.la.us, info@ldaf.state.la.us
website: www.ldaf.state.la.us

Dr. Martha A. Littlefield, Assistant State Veterinarian
Office of Animal Health Services, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
P.O. Box 1951; Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1951
wk: 225-925-3980; desk: 225-935-2168; fax: 225-237-5555
email: malc@ldaf.state.la.us

CC: Bob Odin, Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry: bobodom@ldaf.state.la.us

Dear Governor Blanco, Dr. Lea, and Dr. Littlefield:

I respectfully request the continuation of Executive Order KBB 2005-35, which allows licensed veterinarians from other states to temporarily practice in Louisiana. Although this order was extended one month under KBB 2005-43, its October 25 termination means incoming veterinarians risk jail time and fines.

In essence, the Louisiana Governor, under advisement from the Assistant State Veterinarian, has told relief workers to go home. The state’s unrealistic grasp of the animal crisis overlooks thousands of companion animals still fending for themselves in the aftermath of Katrina and Rita.

Some burrow under broken homes or linger in debris-filled yards. Starving dogs roam in packs in St. Bernard Parish, a hard hit area with no functional animal control system.

New Orleans’ existing stray population now includes displaced pets, many unsterilized and set to yield even more homeless puppies and kittens. One study shows a dog and her young can produce 67,000 puppies in six years. A cat and her litter can create 420,000 kittens in seven years.

The beleaguered LA SPCA, head of animal control in Orleans Parish, simply doesn’t possess the people power or accommodations to feed, trap, and shelter this many animals.   

With guardian requests to save lost animals still pouring in, a ban on any out-of-state animal relief workers is an affront to hurricane victims as well as animals.

In early November, rescuers discovered two dead cats alongside empty food and water bowls. A third died alone on a barren porch. These animals survived hurricane and flood only to succumb to starvation. There are many more like them, some huddled under structures slated for demolition. Local animal control agencies cannot manage this emergency situation alone.

Rather than turn down outside aid, please embrace out-of-state rescue organizations and veterinarians willing to devote their time and skills to Louisiana’s animals. Let’s work toward a common goal: Saving animals and reuniting them with their families.