Villalobos Rescue Center is named as one of the most popular rescue centers, if not the most. It started gaining popularity thanks to the TV show aired by Animal Planet called Pit Bulls and Parolees. This rescue center is located in Louisiana in the city of New Orleans and in the rural or country environment of Assumption Parish. The location of the rescue is near New Orleans. From New Orleans, it will only take about an hour and half to get to the rescue center.
There is a Facebook account that belongs to the Villalobos Rescue Center Assumption Parish. At the time of writing, this account currently has 11,515 likes. According to a post shared on the account, the team of Villalobos Rescue Center has been in Assumption Parish since 2011. They moved there as Villalobos Rescue Center. They began teaming up with the residents of Assumption Parish, as well as Assumption Parish animal control and the Sheriff’s Dept. Everyone in the team loves dogs and the other animals and they have a good heart to take care of them.
Just like most organizations, Villalobos Rescue Center Assumption Parish is known as a non-profit organization. The statement means they do not get paid by the rescue center or any other entity. They are sent by God to help the animals and they are there by themselves without being forced by people. In order to run the place, they get the bucks from donations and sponsors.
Villalobos Rescue Center is the one in charge to rescue the dogs but they are not allowed to take the dogs owned by people. They are not allowed to go into someone else’s place to seize a dog unless the animal control or the Sheriff’s Dept ask them to accompany them. The rule is made for the sake of the animals or dogs. Everyone in the team loves animals and enjoys helping them and they are not animal control.
After getting picked up by the team, there is a total of 7 days stray hold. It is the rule that should be followed, unless the animals are seized by the law enforcement and then they decide if the animals go back to the owner. Once the stray hold comes to an end, the animals immediately belong to the rescue center and that is the time when the rescue steps in.
For those who lost the animal and you know that it is at Villalobos Rescue Center, you can reclaim it when the 7-day stray hold period is still ongoing. Keep in mind that there are the impound fees, which are $35 for the first day, $10 for every day after that. Aside from that, you also have to pay any medical costs if there is any. Each of them must be paid separately. The impound fees should be paid to the Assumption Parish while any medical fee had to be paid to Villalobos Rescue Center.
In order to re-claim your dog after the 7-day stray hold, the decision is on the parish or the discretion. They have a right to make a decision whether to release that dog back to the owner. The team of Villalobos Rescue Center is always happy to see the dogs leaving the rescue center and returning to their home.
In the past, Villalobos Rescue Center managed to meet a dog who had been missing for more than a year with the owner. Since the mission of the team is always to rescue the dogs and not turn it into business, they were happy to know that that dog found the real owner. There are already enough dogs to take care of and they actually do not need the new additions by taking someone else’s belongings.
It has been known that taking care of animals, including dogs, is not an easy task. It is also expensive. For the Villalobos Rescue Center, their medical bills are approximately $600K a year. Due to high expenses, they always prefer to see the dogs meet the real owners rather than staying with them.
For anyone who has found a dog or any animal or if you have a dog or an animal but you do not feel good enough to take care of it, feel free to call the Sheriff’s Dept at 985 369 7283. After getting a call from you, the team will reach you immediately.
If you love animals, especially dogs, and your place is close to Villalobos Rescue Center Assumption Parish and want to be a volunteer, here is a few things to take note:
- You can only be a volunteer on Saturday. If the weather is bad on the day you are supposed to be a volunteer, you can try next time as the event will be canceled because the facility is all outdoors.
- According to the official website of Villalobos Rescue Center, the rescue is located at 5541 Hwy 1, Napoleonville, LA. 70390. Coming to the location without notifying beforehand is not recommended. In addition, the gates will be locked on the other days aside from Saturday.
- Every volunteer will start their activity from 10 AM to whenever.
- Keep in mind that everyone is not allowed to bring personal or service dogs.
- As a volunteer, you are prohibited to take pictures of the dogs and facilities or anything. However, you are allowed to take photos from a distance and be respectful. Avoid shoving the camera to the dogs or to the people at the rescue. Do not make the dogs feel uncomfortable. When the dogs are bothered, running away is not the best solution. Instead of running away, you have to handle the situation well.
- For Villalobos Rescue Center, reserving a spot is needed. You can write a request and send it to pitbullsandparolees@gmail.com. Do not forget to include the date that you would like to be a volunteer and how many in your group.
If you have time on Saturday and do not know what to do, applying to be a volunteer at Villalobos Rescue Center might be a good idea. You can bring your close ones and do a good deed together with you.
