St. Tammany Animal Shelter Dog Population Surges Past Capacity

Parish shelter says it has more than 200 dogs in a system built for 120, with a Slidell adoption event scheduled June 20

St. Tammany Parish government is asking residents to adopt, foster, volunteer or donate after the parish animal shelter again moved into emergency overcrowding status.

The parish’s Department of Animal Services said its shelter system has exceeded 120-dog capacity and is now caring for more than 200 dogs. A parish news release said the shelter had topped 215 dogs when officials issued a public “Mayday” call, describing the canine population as roughly 70% above designed capacity.

Animal Services Director Robert Bremer said in the parish statement that adoptions have slowed, rescue transfers have dropped off and animals continue arriving through owner surrenders and other intakes. The parish said overcrowding can increase the risk of dog fights, disease spread and other problems that affect animals’ quality of life.

The shelter is located at 31078 Highway 36 in Lacombe and serves as an open-admission, high-intake facility for St. Tammany Parish residents. According to the parish’s animal services page, the department is now promoting “Operation Fight For 50,” a campaign urging the public to adopt or foster 50 animals by June 22.

The shelter says dogs available for adoption come vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and microchipped. The parish has also waived some adoption fees for dogs that have been at the shelter for longer periods, according to its public postings.

Parish officials are directing residents to available adoptable pets online and encouraging those who cannot adopt to consider temporary fostering, volunteering or donations.

Why This Matters In Slidell

For Slidell-area residents, the shelter’s overcrowding push is not just a parishwide issue. The Animal Services department has listed a June 20 “Magnolia Paws Adoption Event” at Magnolia Paws Board & Train, 517 J.F. Smith Avenue in Slidell, giving local residents a closer option to help relieve crowding at the Lacombe shelter.

The issue also reflects a broader Northshore strain on animal shelters, where intake remains high while adoptions and rescue placements have not kept pace. For families in Slidell, fostering or adopting locally can help reduce pressure on the parish shelter system without a long drive across the parish.