VILLE PLATTE, La. (KLFY) -- Through perseverance, love from their community and support from animal lovers across the country, a Ville Platte animal rescue is finally starting to see the progress they worked so hard to attain, despite challenges thrown their way.
Matt Baker and his wife, Bre, founded Heroes Everywhere Animal Rescue more than a year ago. The couple has dedicated themselves to taking care of more than 60 animals as a two-person operation -- an experience that Matt says has been a "rollercoaster."
"You know, you will see times whenever things just seem to be everything's going our way, everything is going great. And then it's almost like we hit a brick wall," Matt said.
Since opening the rescue, the Bakers have been vocal about the issue of over-breeding in Evangeline Parish as dogs have continued to be taken to their shelter. The rescue has received more than 20 dogs in just three weeks.
While the Bakers have worked tirelessly to help the animals find their forever home, Matt has also been sleeping outside with the animals since April in an attempt to raise awareness for the breeding issue and build funds for a new facility.
Their mission is finally starting to pay off. Matt said the couple has been able to put a deposit down on their first of four brand new buildings, which will be a new shelter for the animals.
"It's going to have basically everything. everything that they (the animals) need all in one spot," Matt said.
Baker said the Parish Police Jury has also pushed to help the Bakers in their mission, and the Sheriff's office has also started a dog food drive to help the shelter operate.
Although it is a time for celebration, the Bakers said that their mission is far from over. It will take much more time and effort to truly take care of the animals in need across the parish.
"We've got three more buildings to build. We do have a long way to go either way. So, to have the police jury and the sheriff's department now kind of standing with us, at least on some of this, is baby steps. But a little bit of help from each individual person in our parish can make a world of difference," Matt said.
The rescue is located at 1171 Cousins Road in Ville Platte and can be contacted by calling 337-210-6553.
