City officials and community members gathered March 13 for the groundbreaking of Minden’s new animal shelter, a long-awaited facility expected to improve conditions for local stray and adoptable pets. “The four-legged friends we have are not just friends, they’re family,” said Councilman Michael Roy, who has spearheaded the project.
The new shelter, located next to the existing one, will significantly expand capacity. The current shelter holds only six dogs, while the new facility will accommodate up to 15 dogs and will feature a designated cat room. The project, estimated at $300,000, was partially funded by last year’s Pet Election, which raised approximately $25,000. The remainder will be paid for with funds the city has allocated. The construction is being handled by Jacob Hattaway of BlackRock Construction and is expected to take about a year to complete.
This project has faced many challenges, from redesigns to engineering changes, but it’s finally moving forward. “We had to go back to the drawing board, redesign, get a new engineer, and rethink the whole project….three times,” said Mayor Cox. The engineer who finally saved the day was Brad Graff of Cothren, Graff, Smoak Engineering, Inc.
The Minden Animal Shelter recently came under the jurisdiction of the police department. Shelter Director Carrie Ford continues to oversee operations, ensuring that animals are adopted rather than euthanized. “We haven’t euthanized a healthy animal since 2021,” Ford said. She works with various rescue organizations nationwide, transporting dogs to new homes across the country.
Ford also highlighted the need for more cat shelters and encouraged fostering. While the shelter has a few foster families, Ford is selective about placements. If you’re interested, contact Director Ford.
The shelter partners with Rocking Rooster and Minden Animal Clinic for veterinary services. Adoption fees cover only veterinary expenses, and all animals must be spayed or neutered before adoption. The shelter also checks for microchips to reunite lost pets with their owners.
During construction, the front gate will remain closed for safety, but the shelter remains open by appointment. “We are still answering calls, and animals are still available for retrieval, rescue, or rehoming,” Ford stated in a social media post. With limited space—seven dog cages and two cat cages—Ford urged the public to adopt and reclaim pets as soon as possible.
Director Karrie Ford received a round of praise for all the work she does.
“Karrie does a fabulous job,” Roy said. Mayor Cox added, “You can hire for a position, but you don’t always get someone with the heart for it. Karrie has both the heart and the brains.”
Minden’s shelter also assists neighboring communities. Police Chief Jared McIver praised Ford’s dedication. “I’ll call Karrie and say, ‘Hey, Bienville needs our help,’ and she’ll say, ‘I’m on my way,’” McIver said.
Councilman Michael Roy is working to establish a donation system for monetary contributions and needed supplies. There are also plans in the works for more fundraisers.
The shelter’s Facebook page, Minden Animal Control-Minden, Louisiana, provides updates and adoptable animals. The shelter can also be found on Adopt-a-Pet and Petfinder.
