Animal Lifeline volunteers constructing new improved animal shelter for Rayne

Over the next week, a group of volunteers associated with Animal LIfeline of Warrington, Pennsylvania, will construct  a new animal shelter for Rayne.
Most of the volunteers settled into the Best Western Inn of Rayne over the weekend and were very busy Monday preparing the animal shelter located behind the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center.
Animal Lifeline’s national coordinator Bryna Donnelly learned of Rayne needs when she consulted officials with the Calcasieu Animal Control Program regarding municipal animal control programs in need of rehabilitation.
“Calcasieu suggested several programs and Rayne was chosen because the city) were ready with plans to improve its animal control facilities,” said Building Inspector Mark Daigle.  
Because of Animal Lifeline’s volunteers and the donation of kennels by the Calcasieu Parish program, the city’s only expense will be the pouring of an enlarged concrete slab.
The donation of kennels from the neighboring parish originated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina which struck New Orleans.
In order to rescue many of the animals affected by the hurricane, The New Orleans ASPCA provided kennels to Calcasieu Parish to shelter New Orleans animals. In turn, the Calcasieu program will donate approximately 30 unused kennels to Rayne.
In addition to the building of kennels by Animal Lifeline’s volunteer, the national organization plans to assist the Rayne program in setting up a spayed and neutering program, as well as networking with other rescue and shelters to promote adoption of homeless pets in other areas of the country.
National Coordinator Bryna Donnelly’s plans for improvements to the Rayne shelter include: extending the roof and adding sides; installing ventilation; constructing a storage room with shelves; assembling new kennels; plumbing in a wash tub; spreading tons of pea gravel; and building secure play yards with jump-proof fencing.
Animal Control Officer Donald Boudreaux told Council members during their December meeting Donnelly, after visiting Rayne in October agreed to commit about $35,000 to house and feed the student volunteers while in Rayne.
The city’s shelter will be expanded from eight kennels to 20, Boudreaux reported, from plans created by City Building Inspector Mark Daigle.