Staff members from the Caddo Parish Animal Shelter visited Happy Tails Jan. 9 to get some insights into the operations at the facility. Happy Tails is the Natchitoches Humane Society’s rescue facility, which is located on the grounds of the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

Juanita Murphy presented Sheriff Victor Jones with a list of all the animals, 156 in total, the NHS was able to rescue in 2016. Of these, 56 were adopted, 87 were transported to other rescues in the country and 13 were cats. Murphy also presented Happy Tail’s DC worker with a special present to show the NHS’ appreciation for all the hard work he puts in with the dogs. He was called the “backbone of the operation.”

Visitors included Caddo Parish Animal Shelter Assistant Director Kelvin Samuel, Paws 4 Life Manager Tanya Parker, Paws 4 Life assistant Susan Trahan and Caddo Parish Commissioner Mike Middleton.

“It gives us hope to tour this facility,” said Trahan. “It gives us a sense of community nationwide to see this group of people that care. It makes a difference.”

Murphy said Happy Tails is small scale compared to what Caddo Parish has the potential to do, and Samuel said their tour will give the Animal Shelter and the Sheriff’s Office ideas about how to set up a similar program.