Our Story

Documents to incorporate The Sabine Humane Society as a 501 (C) 3 corporation were filed on September 9, 1997, by Shannon Clements; Kathy Merten; Martha Bass and Tracy Conerly.The Society was formed to help the abused, deserted, thrown away animals in Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The Societyʼs main goal was to build and operate a shelter for that purpose. Finally in October of 2010, that goal came to fruition when our facility opened.

The funds for perpetual operation of the facility have always been a major concern. In 2008, the Society continued to lobby the Sabine Parish Police Jury for assistance. The Jury finally agreed to place a 10-year parish wide 1.5 mil property tax referendum on the November 4, 2008, general election ballot. A few volunteers worked hard promoting the tax to voters in the parish. Their efforts paid off when, by a margin of 286 votes, the citizens of the Parish supported the tax. The proceeds of this tax are collected annually, with the first collection starting in November/December of 2009. These funds should pay for the operation of the facility.

Daisy’s Story

On June 29, 2012 I went to the shelter with a list of potential dogs to adopt. Daisy was at the top of the list. As soon as a little bundle of fur and energy was put in my arms, I was in love! She weighed 2.8 pounds. She turned 5 months yesterday and at her last vet visit on 9/25 she weighed 11.3 pounds and is still a bundle of energy! If you are thinking of giving an animal a “fur-ever” home I strongly recommend going to Sabine Humane Shelter or the nearest shelter to you!

Carolyn Pentecost

Dixie’s Story

am the Assistant manager at the Sabine Humane Society Animal Shelter. Working at the shelter is a great blessing for me, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It is never a dull moment, and always so many funny things that happen, but there are a lot of sad stories also. On a sad note, there are so many unwanted and neglected animals in this world, and we see it everyday. For the most part, the animals that come in have a great chance to find a good home, and be loved the way they deserve to be, but then there are those we can’t save. It’s never easy to be the one that has to end a life because there is no hope, or no home for the animal. It’s the hardest part of my job, but it has to be done.

So many of the animals that we have had to put down have really touched my heart. Just to name one of many, there was a female lab mix named “Dixie”. When I first started, I was a volunteer, and I went everyday, 8hrs a day, I had recently lost my Mother to cancer, and I was having a really hard time. The female lab mix came in with two brothers, and all of them would bite, including Dixie. So one day I came to work, and when I walked in the shelter, I broke down and started crying, everyone asked what was wrong, I told them I was missing my Mom. So I went on back to the kennel area, and I stood at the gate of Dixie, and I said to her, now I feel the same way as you, so I need you, and you need me. So I went into her cage knowing she would probably bite me, and I slipped a leash around her neck, I was still crying. She did act like she was gonna bite me, so I was very careful. I led her out to the outside and sat on the ground, and she pulled away from me as far as the leash would stretch. I put my head on my knees, and I started just crying so hard. After about 20 minutes, Dixie had inched her way over to me and was leaning up against my side. I stopped crying and looked at her, and she looked at me, and I slipped my arm around her, and from that moment on Dixie never tried to bite again. She knew I was hurting just like she was, and from then on, she trusted me. That just goes to show you that dogs are mans Best Friend. They are the most loyal creation that God made. They will love you no matter how you treat them.

Dixie is just one of the many stories I have, I consider myself very lucky, cause I get to be a part of so many animals lives, it doesn’t always have a happy ending, but we can’t save them all, It’s sad but true. We will always save Those We Can! Still to this day it breaks my heart, because Dixie was one that we couldn’t save, I tried so hard to find her a home, but turns out, she didn’t like children and that made her a hard placement, I tried her with my grand kids so I could adopt her, but she didn’t like the kids around me. I’ll never forget the day we had to put her down. I held her in my arms until her heart stopped, and I cried like a baby, so did everyone in the room. It took me awhile to get to the point I could accept what we had to do, but it never gets easy!

Lisa Butler

Jasmin’s Story

We recently adopted a female chihuahua named Jasmine. She is a little over 1 year old. The Humane Society was fantastic and very helpful. If I am ever looking for another pet, adoption is the way to go. There are so many animals in need of a home.

Lucy’s Story

Hello to all! We adopted a horse named Lucy from the Sabine Humane Society in June 2012, and in the short time we have had her she has truly become a part of our family, it feels like she has been here for years. My daughter’s dream has always been to have a horse and she was so excited the day we brought Lucy home to surprise her. I very much loved seeing the excitement on my 7 yr olds face! Lucy very quickly stole all of our hearts and gets lots of attention! She is very spoiled and will let us know really quick if she wants something…we can see it in her eyes.

Our children absolutely adore her and the feeling is mutual. Anytime she hears the kids come outside she heads straight to them for some loving! I can not thank the Sabine Humane Society enough for allowing us to make Lucy a part of our family! I honestly could not even imagine our life without her now! I just wanted to let everyone know that Lucy is doing great and is quite happy in her new home!

Thanks again to the Sabine Humane Society for helping us make my daughter’s dream come true!

Sincerely, Michelle Wilkins

P.S. I have attached a recent photo of Lucy, she is actually quite good at posing for pictures…lol! 

Michelle Wilkins

Breez’s Story

A few months ago I adopted my beautiful little boy breez from the Sabine Humane Society. He is a 15 month old yorkie, and you couldnt possibly ask for a sweeter dog.

I’ve always wanted a yorkie, but I refused to pay money for a dog when so many unwanted ones need homes. So as soon as I heard about him and saw his sweet picture, I knew he was meant to be with me. From what I understand, when he was brought in to be put up for adoption, the previous owners said he was an escape artist. LOL, that, I have not had a problem with at all! Breez has become my comfort blanket and goes where ever I go. He loves to cuddle, and has the best personality. He’s not exactly sure why I should wear shoes, so he tries to take them off of me all the time.

I’m very glad and blessed this little boy has come into my life. I encourage anyone that is looking for a pet to go to your local animal shelter. You might be surprised what you find.

Jessica McCollough Gaspard

Tango’s Story

Hello, My family and I recently adopted Tango, the black lab puppy. He has made a wonderful addition to our family! He came to us very shy and timid. It only took a few days for him to come around, and is now so happy! My family and I wanted to thank you all for your help in finding us the perfect four legged friend! I have some great pictures of “Zeus” (changed his name) that I can send. Have a great day!  And again, thank you!

The Capehart’s

Capehart

Trio’s Story

When Trio was turned in to the Sabine Humane Society, his former owner told us that he had nerve damage in one leg from a dog attack. His foot didn’t work at all, and it dragged when he walked. We have trouble finding good homes for hounds with nothing wrong with them, so what chance would a dog with a foot that didn’t work have? We knew that we were going to have to put him down. We took him in the back room to euthanize him and while he was on the table he looked at us with an expression that was just… heart wrenching. We couldn’t bring ourselves to do it; we had to give him a chance! From then on, he stayed in the front office at the shelter with us.

Trio is full of personality. He loves everyone he meets – people of all ages, other dogs, and other animals. He has never met a stranger. We wanted to prove that even a dog with a disability deserves a chance, so we started a public donation fund to pay for his amputation surgery and his neuter. The public was very generous and concerned about Trio. We were able to collect enough donations for his treatment within a very short period of time.

When Trio went to Many Veterinary Hospital for his surgery, the staff there fell in love with him. He has such a wonderful, loving personality. Trio was so brave after his surgery – when he was coming out of the anesthetic, he never even whimpered when most dogs would have cried and hollered. He’s been playing like normal since the day he came back from the vet. Trio actually gets around better without his leg! He even jumped on the couch like nothing was wrong. He is an inspiration and an example of how well animals can cope with disabilities

Lisa Butler

Board of Directors
President: Jackie Conyer
Vice President: Diann Migliore
Secretary:
Treasurer: Andrea Cooper
Board Members:
Mary Brocato
Christina Ezernack
Mary Ligon
Facility Manager: Lisa Butler
Assistant Manager:  Ginny Barker
Staff:
Chris Neel
Holly Campbell
Kalib Crittenden
 
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