Louisville woman pays for billboards urging residents to report animal abuse and neglect to Metro Animal Services.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Drivers around Louisville may spot billboards encouraging people to report animal abuse. The message is clear: if you see a dog, cat, or any animal being mistreated, report it.
However, the billboards are not part of a city campaign. A Louisville woman is paying for them herself because she wants to speak up for animals that cannot speak for themselves.
Jenny Brown said the idea came after she recorded video of dogs tied up outside, living in mud and standing water. She later turned the footage over to Louisville Metro Animal Services.
“I want to — animals are the most innocent beings among us, and they don’t have a voice,” Brown said. “Some of us need to be their voice.”
Brown said she is not leading an organization or advocacy group — she is simply someone who deeply cares about animals. Through a GoFundMe campaign, she has raised nearly $9,000 to fund the billboards.
Each billboard costs about $1,200 per month to display, including the artwork. Brown volunteers with Louisville Metro Animal Services, and the phone number on the billboards connects directly to the agency.
Animal Services officials say they support the initiative.
“It’s awesome,” one staff member said. “I’ve been here ten years and I don’t remember seeing billboards specifically about cruelty and neglect.”
Inside the shelter, staff members care for several dogs as they wait to find homes. Many were discovered as strays. One dog named Henry is severely underweight — a condition staff members say they have been noticing more frequently.
“I would say over the last three to four years we’ve definitely seen an increase in emaciated dogs,” a staff member said. “Dogs that just aren’t being fed well.”
Brown said she is receiving a public service rate for the billboards and hopes to keep them displayed as long as possible to encourage people to report abuse and neglect when they witness it.
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