St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper announced the appointment of Beth Brewster as the new Director of Animal Services. Brewster, who has roots in St. Tammany, earned a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from LSU and brings to the shelter nearly 15 years of animal welfare experience. She has successfully worked with animal welfare organizations at the local, state and national levels, and she was instrumental in leading the fundraising, design and completion of the Companion Animal Alliance Shelter on the outskirts of LSU— the first animal shelter in the country built on a college campus.
“Beth comes to us with a wealth of experience, many long-standing relationships in the animal welfare community, and a passion for bringing people and pets together,” said Cooper. “I look forward to her leadership at our shelter as she joins our committed staff.”
Brewster says she looks forward to using her people and pets-oriented approach to bring the live release rate up, to increase transparency at the shelter, and to work together with the community, to improve the lives of dogs and cats in St. Tammany Parish. She says her focus will be on people as well as animals, and she will remain committed to doing everything possible to save the lives of the animals dependent on the shelter and to help families care for their pets.
President Cooper has maintained focused collaboration with veterinarians and independent, reputable, external animal welfare groups since taking office. Among his enhancements to the shelter since taking office are: the reinstatement of the positions of kennel manager and veterinary technician. He has also expanded external features at the shelter to increase square-footage of living and play areas for shelter pets. The shelter recently announced a new partnership with the Mardi Paws organization to host several initiatives to increase adoptions, expand education, and raise awareness about the shelter.
Brewster will assume her role at the Shelter beginning Monday, August 17, 2020.
