Riding a statewide high, euthanasia rates for stray animals at the St. Tammany Parish animal shelter dipped 4 percent from the first-quarter last year, authorities said.

"We are focusing our efforts on finding homes for every healthy adoptable animal that comes into the shelter," said St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services Interim Director Melisa Sullivan-Piwetz.

For the first quarter 2008, the parish animal shelter in Abita Springs found homes for 116 animals and transferred 40 to rescue agencies, according to statistics released this week. The effort is riding a department wide push to educate the public on adoption endeavors, including a new trailer equipped to hold 39 to 43 animals depending on their size that will stop at various times throughout the parish to showcase current adoptable dogs. The 24-foot long trailer is climate controlled, and Sullivan-Piwetz hopes it offers greater visibility to the adopting public.

But the blitz doesn't stop there, she said. The Department of Animal Services has initiated a school-based education program that will begin with elementary students and will eventually include older students as well.

"Dog bites are the third most common cause of children being seen in the emergency room in the United States," Sullivan-Piwetz said. "Many of these admissions could be prevented if children could be taught proper behavior around dogs."

The efforts could also be greatly assisted by private citizens who take the responsibility to spay or neuter their pets, Sullivan-Piwetz said.

"The shelter just wants the public to know they can't do this alone," said Tom Beale.

"We aim for the day when animals will not suffer because of human abuse, neglect or ignorance, and that every pet born will be assured of a good home and care all its natural life."