PRESS RELEASE

Memorial Honors Katrina Animals
With Music and Interfaith Service

NEW ORLEANS (8/8/06) – The Louisiana SPCA is joining the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and
St. Anna’s Episcopal Church to hold a memorial tribute on Sunday, August 20 honoring the animals whose lives were lost or dramatically altered during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

The memorial service will consist of music, an interfaith service and candlelight vigil. The memorial tribute will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a traditional New Orleans “jazz funeral” march from Decatur and Esplanade Avenue to St Anna’s Episcopal Church at 1313 Esplanade Avenue. Following the march, participants will gather at St. Anna’s Church for the interfaith service officiated by Father Bill Terry of St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, Rabbi Ed Cohn of Temple Sinai and Father James Deshotels, of the
Jesuit order. A simple reception will follow the service. Music for the procession will be provided by the Treme Brass Brand and additional music will be provided by the Storyville Stompers.

The public is invited to participate and carry photos or mementos of their companion animals that can be held up as a memorial during the march, service and vigil. “Nothing can ever erase the pain and grief of losing one’s pet, especially in the tragedy of Katrina, but hopefully we can find strength in a collective coming together to honor them and our memories of our time with them,” said Laura Maloney, Louisiana SPCA’s Executive Director. “This memorial is also a testament to the importance of the human-animal bond and there is a healing that can begin with celebrating that bond,” she added.

Father Bill Terry, who was instrumental in organizing the memorial, also hopes that the service will bring some type of closure to people’s pain. “I am hopeful that this service will help bring recognition to the part that pets play in our lives and to help the process of closure for many who lost pets. We also hope that it brings about the possibility of a place to cry and share.”

The LA/SPCA is deeply grateful to the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and St. Anna’s Episcopal Church for coming together to help organize and create a fitting tribute to the companion animals who touch our lives everyday.

Because the memorial will include an indoor service, the public is asked to not bring animals to the event. For more information about the memorial service and how you can participate contact Beth Fisher at the Musicians’ Clinic (504) 415-3514; Fr. Bill Terry at St. Anna’s Church (504) 947-2121 or Ana Zorrilla at LA/SPCA (504) 368-5191 ext. 202.

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