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Council hears impassioned pleas from rescuers; approves animal-control ordinance and highlights new JPOS Eastbank adoption center
Summary
After testimony from animal-rescue volunteers urging stronger spay/neuter rules, the council unanimously approved amendments to the animals code and heard administration updates about a new 27,750 sq ft JPOS Eastbank Adoption Center scheduled for completion Feb. 28, 2027 and a plan to raise the live-release rate from 80% toward 90%.
Animal-rescue volunteers addressed the council during the Jan. 14 public hearing on amendments to the Jefferson Parish animal code. Yogi Johnson, who said he has rescued animals for 35 years, and Jamie Hurst urged stronger spay-and-neuter laws to reduce shelter burden and taxpayer costs, describing overcrowded shelters and strains on rescues.
Following public comment, the council moved and passed summary number 26671 (amendments to chapter 7, animals) unanimously. The transcript records no roll-call dissent on the item.
Separately, Parish President Cynthia Lee updated the council on Jefferson Parish Animal Welfare Services (JPOS): ground was recently broken for a new 27,750-square-foot Eastbank Adoption Center in Councilman Bonanno’s district, with completion scheduled for Feb. 28, 2027. The president also said JPOS will transfer 50 cats to the KC Pet Project in Kansas City on Jan. 15 and noted the shelter’s live-release rate is 80% with a goal to reach 90% in 2026.
Council members and speakers framed the ordinance and the facility update as complementary responses to shelter strain: legislative changes to animal-control rules plus investments in shelter capacity and transfer partnerships with rescues and out-of-area organizations.
