The second annual Krewe de Canines Mardi Gras Dog Parade and Costume Contest held Jan. 24 raised over $27,000 to support the animal shelter in West Feliciana Parish, according to Courtney Miller, spokesperson for the nonprofit organization that organized the festivities.
Miller said they โwere shockedโ when early on they determined they had collected over $26,000. She added the amount has grown. Adding in the most recent donations it is now over $27,000, she said.
Explaining the shockingly good news she immediately gave credit to โthe generosity of local residents, small businesses and individual donors."
Last year was the first year for the Krewe de Canines fundraiser, she said. In 2025, they were โincredibly gratefulโ when they exceeded their goal of $5,000 by raising over $13,000, Miller said. So, for 2026 they โaimed higherโ and set a goal of $20,000, she explained. Again, they exceeded their goal raising what now totals more than $27,000 from the 2026 canine Mardi Gras celebration in St. Francisville.
The success was due to โthe everyday dog-loving people who stepped up to support a cause they care about โฆ including individuals who donated without recognition and local businesses that supported the effort simply because it mattered,โ she said.
Money was raised by going to businesses; approaching friends, family and the public in person; through the mail; emails; texts; and using online links for payment, Miller said.
They received donations from locals and from friends in Austin, Texas, she added. Time and services were donated by volunteers, she said.
Students at the Bains Lower Elementary, Bains Elementary and West Feliciana Middle schools as well as students at Slaughter Community Charter School, where Miller teaches, also contributed. In exchange for their donation, they got a free-dress up day at school.
A registration fee of $25 was collected to participate in the parade and festivities. All proceeds will go to the shelter, Miller said.
Miller said she is โone of seven founding members of a small, volunteer non-profit formed here in St. Francisville to support the West Feliciana animal shelter.โ
None had prior experience running a nonprofit or organizing the dog parade and festivities, but they โsaw the need and wanted to help,โ she said.
The 2026 board members of the Krewe de Canines nonprofit are Joe Malara, Pam Malara, Shannon Shaffer, Celeste Coarsey, Michelle Wilcox, Dale Ray Blachard and Courtney Miller.
The shelter that will receive the funds was founded in August 2012 and named the James L. โBoโ Bryant Animal Shelter and West Feliciana Animal Humane Society.
Bryantโs legacy donation funded the beginning of the shelterโs construction, according to their website. The WFAHS has grown with the support of the areaโs people and business partnerships making it possible.
The Mardi Gras dog parade and festivities โ which included a tableau, kissing booth, costume contest and more โ were scheduled in the afternoon at Parker Park on Commerce Street in St. Francisville.
The theme was western: The Good, the Bad, and the Furry.
Then came the forecast for extremely cold and wet weather which threatened to cancel the festivities for the furry four legged participants and their humans. Instead, the fundraising Mardi Gras celebration was moved across the street to inside Bayou Sara Brewing Company.
Miller said that co-founder of the brewery, Steve McKinney, saved the day by offering that location.
For information about the nonprofit group that organized the dog parade and costume contest and other festivities, go to www.krewedecanines or call 225-721-0782 or contact jpmalara@gmail.com. A list of the group’s sponsors is also on the site.
To contact the West Feliciana Humane Society, call 225-635-5801 or email them at WFAHS@gmail.com. Detailed information including their mission statement, services, goals, how to donate, how to foster or adopt, fees and much more is available at .
An appointment is required.