Companion Animal Alliance

Bella's story pulled on our heartstrings as soon as she entered the shelter. Bella had been to a local veterinarian and was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury that resulted in hindlimb paralysis. The owner sadly could not afford Bella’s needs and decided to surrender Bella through animal control to our shelter. Bella's story is the definition of the struggle with access to care in East Baton Rouge Parish. The area where Bella lived was heavily affected by the Great Flood of 2016. Homes and families were decimated by a "100 year flood,” and still to this day, the area has not recovered. The access to care deficit is higher than ever. Bella and her family are victims of this circumstance. On our intake examination, Bella's coat was severely matted and there was a good amount of urine scald around the hind end. Bella's face was a mural of depression and sadness. She was paralyzed in her hind limbs, uncomfortable from her mats and urine scald, and was away from her family, in a large, scary place. She really needed some TLC. Bella received a thorough shave down and a good bath. We deflead her and began treating her urine scald. Despite being paralyzed, her demeanor improved instantly, and we could see her will to continue on without her family. Bella was not ready to give up. Bella found a foster with one of our most compassionate animal care workers so that she could wait on a transport option out of the shelter. Bella's case is one of many that attests to the lack of access to care in our parish. Acting as the only open-intake shelter in the parish, Companion Animal Alliance sees stories like Bella's every day. Many owners that surrender their animals to the shelter are faced with the choice to care for their families or their animals. The outreach provided by the shelter gets us part of the way, but it simply is not enough. Bella’s story is a victory that we all need. We would be appreciative of any efforts that can be made to move sweet Bella to her receiving rescue. She is a success story that is just waiting on the final piece of the puzzle to fly her to her rescue that is waiting with open arms.