Banking on Baton Rouge success

Baton Rouge’s newest animal nonprofit brings an unconventional approach to animal rescue to the region: Its volunteers will probably never respond to calls that demand intervention for an animal in crisis; its crates and pens will remain empty of adoptable animals in desperate need of new homes; and its warehouse will remain well stocked with pet food, medicine and supplies. Yet its charter members believe the organization’s appeal and impact will be immediate and immense.

This fall, local animal advocates hope to open the Capital City chapter of the Houston-based Rescue BankSM. While the bank’s unique concept has blossomed in Texas, its roots are solidly planted in Louisiana.

After Hurricane Katrina, Houstonian and former New Orleanian John Kane volunteered with Best Friends Animal Society to procure supplies, set up shelters and rescue animals. During his 2005 Gulf Coast tour, Kane was struck by both the disproportionate amount publicity and resources commandeered by the big-name humane societies and the extraordinary efforts and efficiency of smaller rescues.

The experience inspired Kane and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Asher, to create a large and long-lasting contribution to small rescues rather than compete for limited resources by starting an organization of their own.

Their research revealed the Houston Food Bank disposed of approximately 10,000 pounds of donated pet food every month. “Food banks don’t get credit for the pet food they distribute. It takes up space and increases the need for rodent control,” Asher explains.

So, Kane and Asher founded Rescue Bank to dispense reclaimed pet food—completely free of charge—to qualified rescue groups. “Most of the groups are overwhelmed with vet bills. They are working night and day to care from anywhere from 25 to 300 animals. So, I’d rather look for financial help from other sources,” Asher says.

The groups’ only obligation to the co-op is to provide volunteers to help staff the office and labor to unload the supply trucks.

“We have 73 registered groups, and 30 need food every month. Since March donations are down, now we have a waiting list,” says Asher. “We distribute 20,000 pounds of food a month. The food comes primarily from the Houston Food Bank, manufacturers with discontinued products and food drives through churches, Boy Scouts or even people who host birthday parties for their pets.”

Even the economy hasn’t put a damper on the do-gooders’ determination. “We received $30,000 in monetary donations in 2008; the rest came from in-kind donations,” Asher says. “I will take anything as long as it works. I have taken furniture, garbage disposals, washers, fax machines and printers. If we can’t use it but we can sell it to pay a vet bill, we will take it. I am driven to make sure everybody has the basics.”

Within only two years, the Rescue Bank has grown to manage a $1 million budget. Besides supplementing its members’ finances with a food pantry, the organization has diversified to offer air conditioners, digital cameras for Internet posts, linens, washers, dryers, computers and even grants for medical care.

Rescue Bank’s success has encouraged animal lovers in Dallas and Baton Rouge to establish chapters. Baton Rouge attorneys Judy Atkinson and Mark Meese became aware of Rescue Bank through a friend who volunteers with a Texas Great Pyrenees rescue.

“We are in the planning and procurement stage and are inviting representatives from other groups to be partners. It’s meant to benefit them, too,” explains Atkinson. “I get 100 solicitations a month [from animal organizations]; it’s terrible that they’re competing for services and money. There is such a need here. We’re not trying to compete—just partner and be a good partner.”

Atkinson’s group estimates 33 rescues and municipal animal control shelters in East Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston, St. Helena, East and West Feliciana parishes qualify to receive assistance.

Over the past few months, Atkinson, Meese and a nucleus of Garden District animal rescuers have secured potential warehouse space, a forklift and an initial donation of food from the Rescue Bank.

Still, the local start-up is still looking for a reliable source for pet food. “We’re asking [local pet food retailers] for anything that is damaged in shipment. Most pet food stores throw it out,” says Atkinson.

Each affiliate has to independently establish food supply sources due to a legal glitch that makes finding a central pet food sponsor impossible. The problem, Asher explains, is federal law. “There’s no liability release [for expired or reclaimed pet food], so many companies incinerate it,” Asher says. “It’s remarkable for us, as a nation, to be that wasteful. It will take a change in corporate policy, attitudes and the federal statute, before expired pet food can become widely available. We are, in fact, looking at ways to amend the law.”

Undeterred by the obstacles and buoyed by Asher and Kane’s benchmark, Baton Rouge Rescue Bank charter members forge ahead. “We are all committed,” Atkinson says. “We’re all pet lovers and interested in seeing this through.”

For more information and applications for rescue organizations, contact Judy Atkinson at [email protected] or Mark Meese at [email protected].

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