Humane Society organizing here; meeting Saturday

The Humane Society of Louisiana, based in New Orleans, will host an organizational meeting from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Iberville Parish Library.

The group hopes to establish a branch to help reduce the pet overpopulation here, as well as to help resolve issues concerning Tony the Tiger, a Bengal tiger who has been on display in a federally licensed exhibit for more than eight years at the Tiger Truck Stop.

"We presently have eight other chapters around the state, and we hope to establish a similar one in Iberville Parish," says Jeff Dorson, director of the Humane Society. 

The chapters often set up low-cost spay neuter programs, investigate animal cruelty complaints, and have members who volunteer at the parish shelter or provide foster homes for adoptable pets. 

"We know that Tony has also been the center of attention for several months, and we intend to invite Mr. Michael Sandlin, the owner of the Tiger Truck Stop, to come and speak to our group,” Dorson said. “I think that we have more common ground than differences and it might be good just to meet and say hello to one another and establish a respectful rapport.”

The meeting is free and open to the public. The library is located at 24605 J. Gerald Berret Blvd, Plaquemine.

The Humane Society of Louisiana, established in 1988, is one of the state's largest animal  protection organizations.