was told she ’ d never walk again ; I watched her dance at her wedding . It was pretty special .”
Nungesser gets involved with animal rescue efforts throughout the state . He ’ s served as a costume contest judge at the Jefferson SPCA ’ s Pet Fest in 2017 when the theme was “ Barks and Recreation ,” and has recently donated dinners at auction winners ’ choice of restaurants anywhere in Louisiana for four guests with himself and Cher to fundraising events for the Northshore Humane Society in Covington and for the Acadiana Animal Aid in Lafayette . “ Someone paid $ 8,000 for that dinner so that money will go to the shelter in Lafayette .” And as Plaquemines Parish president , Nungesser made life better for the homeless animals of his community .
“ We had a cement block building where they didn ’ t do nice things to pets in Plaquemines , so when I got elected parish president we built a beautiful no-kill shelter to new green energy standards with a waiting room with cubby holes so you could see the cats and dogs ,” says Nungesser . “ We built it across from the ball fields so people could just walk across the street , and that helped up with adoption numbers . We did it a little differently : we had a public-private partnership and let the nonprofit PAWS ( Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society ) operate the shelter and had parish employees help out , and it worked well . It was new and creative ; the animals got better care , it saved tax dollars and it was a win-win that we were very proud of .” Today the Plaquemines shelter is operated by the Louisiana SPCA .
Animal advocates in Louisiana hold a special place in Nungesser ’ s heart . “ I thank all the volunteers and people that work in rescue and help find adoptions for animals ,” says Nungesser . “ They ’ re very special , caring people . We ’ re fortunate to have so many great organizations around the state that give their time and money to make that happen . Louisiana has a tremendous love for animals that you see all over the state . I ’ d walk door to door , campaigning in Plaquemines Parish , and people wouldn ’ t have one or two animals , they ’ d have three , four or five ! That ’ s the norm in Louisiana . People without pets are missing out on unconditional love . Studies show that if you have pets , you live a longer , happier life and that is absolutely true .”
Nungesser ’ s unflinching concern and love for Louisiana , its people and its animals made him a natural for the role of lieutenant governor ,
and he ’ ll always be a constant champion for the state ; soon , he may announce he ’ ll run for governor . “ I tell people from all over that in Louisiana , people treat strangers like family ,” says Nungesser . “ They ’ re passionate , they love life , they love where they live . I say there ’ s something in the soil that grows these special people and visitors leave Louisiana with a friend for life . That doesn ’ t happen anywhere else . People ask why I work so hard as lieutenant governor — I love what I do , I love the people , I love helping people and I hate telling people ‘ No ,’ so I ’ m crisscrossing the state rebuilding the tourism industry after Covid . Tourism numbers are up ; in 2021 we had over 41 million visitors . Soon we should be back to record breaking numbers . I ’ ve got the best job in the world working with the best people , and there ’ s so much more that we can do .” One day , that may include filling up the Louisiana Governor ’ s Mansion with plenty of pets .
For more information , please see billynungesser . com , @ LouisianaLtGov , @ BillyNungesser , lastateparks . com , LouisianaTravel . com , crt . state . la . us , louisianahorsetourism . com , and globalwildlife . com
Come Adopt Your New Best Friend !
www . jeffersonspca . org
4421 Jefferson Hwy . ( Inside Jefferson Feed )
PupandPurr . com 29