The St. Tammany Parish animal shelter in Lacombe is packed well past capacity, caring for more than 200 dogs in a building designed for roughly 120. On Friday, the shelter put out an urgent plea for adopters, fosters and rescue partners and waived adoption fees for dogs older than six months. Staff warned that if space is not freed by Monday (June 8), perfectly adoptable animals could be given a placement deadline and may face euthanasia.
Shelter posts urgent plea
According to St. Tammany Parish Government's Facebook post, Animal Services is currently housing more than 200 dogs while the shelter's intended canine capacity is about 120. The post explains that adoption fees for dogs six months and older are being waived and that the department will set placement deadlines if space is not freed.
As reported by WWL, Animal Services Director Rob Bremer warned, "We are at a critical point," saying intake has outpaced adoptions and rescue pulls.
How to view adoptable animals
All available animals are listed online at 24Petconnect, which shows the shelter's adoptable pets, address and phone number. The platform lists the shelter at 31078 Highway 36 in Lacombe and shows the phone as (985) 809‑0183. Adoption hours are listed as Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the shelter asks callers to contact staff for appointments or special arrangements.
Fostering and medical support
The parish's Facebook post also notes that fostering through Animal Services is free and that the shelter will provide food, veterinary care and essential supplies to foster homes, according to St. Tammany Parish Government. The post adds that adoptable dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccines, and that Animal Services covers heartworm treatment when needed. Those assurances are intended to lower barriers for temporary homes and rescue partners.
This isn't the first time the shelter has sounded the alarm
The shelter issued a similar "Mayday" call in April 2025 after reporting more than 215 dogs in the building, according to Northshore Media Group. That earlier plea also prompted fee waivers and community drives, but staff say intake can spike quickly when owners surrender pets or when stray animals are found. Local rescues and volunteers have repeatedly helped with transports and temporary foster placements during past surges.
What the parish code allows
St. Tammany Parish ordinance lays out adoption procedures, holding periods and the department's authority to humanely euthanize animals under certain conditions, according to the parish code. That legal framework gives animal services staff the ability to set deadlines for placement when shelter welfare and space are at risk. Readers who want the exact statutory language can review the code online.
How to help right now
To help immediately, visit the shelter's adoptable listings on 24Petconnect or call the facility at (985) 809‑0183 to speak with staff. Parish animal services pages and shelter documents list email contacts and details about fostering, transport and rescue partnerships. Shelter hours for adoptions are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and those who can foster, transport or sponsor medical care are urged to contact the shelter right away.
