PRESS RELEASE

Louisiana SPCA Receives Highest Marks
From Charitable Giving Analyst:

Second Consecutive 4-Star Rating awarded for sound fiscal management

NEW ORLEANS (04/14/08) - For the second consecutive year, the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has received the highest marks for sound fiscal management with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of charities. Charity Navigator currently evaluates over 5,000 charities in the United States.

Charity Navigator recently announced the new rating citing that the “Louisiana SPCA has earned our second consecutive 4-star rating for its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.”

Ana Zorrilla, LA/SPCA's Chief Executive Officer, attributes this rating to “the organization’s strong focus on fiscal responsibility and LA/SPCA’s board members, staff, and volunteers who work hard to ensure that we operate with the highest standards of care and performance even in times of extreme challenge.” Added Zorrilla, “Despite our small staff, we are able to provide comprehensive programs where at least $0.93 of every dollar goes directly to programs and the animals we serve.”

“Only 28% of the charities we’ve rated have received at least 1 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Louisiana SPCA outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally responsible way possible,” said Michael Smith, Charity Navigator’s Interim President and Chief Operating Officer. “This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Louisiana SPCA from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.”

Charity Navigator works to guide intelligent giving and estimates that in 2007 Charity Navigator influenced over $10 billion in charitable gifts by donors who used their website to evaluate charities. Charity Navigator is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code and does not accept any contributions from any charities that they evaluate.

The Louisiana SPCA is not funded by the state or the city; but is a private, non-profit organization whose survival is dependent upon donors. The LA/SPCA is also not a government agency, or a municipal shelter. The Louisiana SPCA is an organization guided by a passionate animal welfare mission, which has continued through donors and supporters since its inception in 1888.

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The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an organization devoted to improving the lives of animals and eliminating the homelessness, neglect and abuse that signal animal suffering. Chartered in 1888, our history has been paved with an understanding that only through an improved human-animal ethic can we better the lives of companion animals and that of our community. Our programs and services are infused with the highest standards of care and compassion.

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