NEW ORLEANS, La. - Twenty years ago this week, the Humane Society of Louisiana (HSLA) was at the heart of one of the largest animal rescue efforts in history. Founded in 1988, the New Orleans-based charity focuses on cruelty investigation and prevention around the state. The group operated a private animal shelter in the city in August of 2005, when it became clear they were in the path of the devastating storm.

HSLA evacuated 157 shelter animals and dozens of personal pets before Katrina made landfall, but the group sadly lost its shelter and thrift store in the storm’s aftermath. With just a handful of staff members and volunteers - most in exile from their homes - HSLA went on to rescue, foster, reunite, and rehome nearly 1800 animals, with the help of more than 500 volunteers from a

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