By Lion Tracy L. Campbell
The Minden Lions Club welcomed Michelle Benson Lewis as its guest speaker during Thursday’s noon club meeting. Lewis is the co-founder and president of LaMa Animal Rescue and Support Services. She was invited and introduced by Lion Sheriff Jason Parker, who also participated in the presentation and discussion.
LaMa is a partnership that originated in 2019 between a small group of volunteers that saw the need to be an advocate for the many homeless, abandoned and abused animals in Webster Parish and its northern counterparts of compassionate fosters in Massachusetts. These two groups are lead and inspired by two courageous women, Michelle Lewis and Staci Colby.
“We started a community of kindness in the efforts to save animals and give them a better life,” Lewis said.
Lewis spoke in depth about the “animal crisis” in Webster Parish. Since 2022, 3,117 animals have been saved. In 2024, 1,057 animals were transported to rescue partners and the veterinary bill exceeded $326,700. So far in 2025, 508 animals have been transported and the vet bill to date is over $171,854. As of this week, 90 dogs and 25 cats are currently under LaMa’s care.
According to Lewis, spaying/neutering animals as well as education are key to slowing down the overpopulation of animals in the parish.
“Strays, sick pets, and litters overwhelm our small rescue team, but we’re going to do everything we can to help these animals so that they can go on to live happy lives with families who care,” said Lewis. “Right now, the cheapest option for a spay in Webster Parish is $150. The average annual income in Webster Parish is only $21,000 (2023 data), so it would take $15 hours of work just to pay for a spay. We desperately need a low-cost spay and neuter option in our parish.”
LaMa now operates out of a newly constructed shelter at 220 Bennett Road in Sarepta, which opened this year. It features indoor and outdoor kennels, a surgery room, and grooming room. Two full-time and four part-time employees, as well as some volunteers, are on staff.
Lewis told the Lions that the organization currently relies solely on private funding, donations, and fundraising to cover its operation costs and vet bills. LaMa owns and operates the Oak Cottage AirBnB in Springhill and operates The Lucky Pup antique shop in downtown Springhill, with proceeds going to defray shelter costs. Events such as Bingo nights and murder mystery parties are held to raise necessary funds. Lewis wants to see future events held in Minden.
LaMa currently receives no funding from local or parish governments, even though they are frequently called to assist with abandoned and abused animals and hoarding situations.
“It’s not from a lack of asking and trying,” Lewis said. “My hope is that our local and parish governments will recognize that we have a real problem, look at the impact LaMa is making, and find room in their budgets to assist these animals that are abandoned and neglected right here around us.”
Lion Sheriff Parker is an advocate for LaMa and praised the organization for its efforts in assisting animals all across Webster Parish. The Doyline hoarding situation was one such incident where Lama stepped in. In March of this year, 102 dogs were rescued from a puppy mill along with horses, ducks, chickens and other small animals. Two arrests have since been made by WPSO.
“It was a bad situation there,” Lion Sheriff Parker said. “Our animal control officer, Deputy David Dick, and other deputies worked alongside LaMa and area rescues to get these animals out of that environment so they could receive proper veterinary care and then go on to live better lives.”
Lewis also thanked Sheriff Parker and Deputy Dick for caring about abandoned and abused animals and not taking the “let’s just put them down” approach.
“We’ve accomplished a lot over the past 6 years, but there is so much more to do,” Lewis said. “Our hope is to one day raise enough funds to open a public clinic that offers affordable spay and neuter vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing and treatment, and community education. All it takes is money and enough people to step up and say, ‘I want to make a real difference in our communities.’”
LaMa’s current board of directors includes Michelle Benson Lewis, president; Ashley McVey, vice president; MaryAnn Kaylor, secretary; Sheri Benefield, treasurer; and board members Samantha Meek, Melanie Townsend, and Kristy Tilley.
To make a donation or to volunteer your time at LaMa, visit lamaanimalrescue.org, email [email protected], or follow them on Facebook at LaMa Animal Rescue. LaMa has an Amazon Wish List for those who would like to purchase and send items such as dogfood, cat litter, and cleaning products.