The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF), along with several parishes, have established an online fund-raising page to defray state and local costs of operating shelters for horses and other animals displaced by recent flooding near Baton Rouge.

On Aug. 18, Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM, announced that a GoFundMe page had been established to accept public donations to benefit animal shelters operated by LDAF and parish government. Contributions will be used to provide supplies and equipment necessary to care for horses and other animals.

In a written statement, Strain said his agency had a responsibility to provide shelter to disaster-affected animals.

“One of the many lessons learned during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is that many people would not leave their family pets to get out of harm’s way,” Strain said. “Our job is to provide shelter and care for pets and livestock, when needed, so Louisiana residents can have comfort in knowing their pets are safe and being cared for