About

ARNO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit grassroots volunteer-based organization founded by Jane Garrison and two of her good friends in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Involved in hands-on Hurricane Katrina rescue in the greater New Orleans area, Jane was one of the first out-of-town persons on the scene at ‘rescue headquarters’ located at Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, LA. Jane worked with hundreds of volunteers to rescue thousands of animals, and then Lamar-Dixon shut down in October 2005. Jane was the catalyst in putting together a talented and committed team of volunteers and staff from around the country that worked to urgently assist displaced pets and their families.

ARNO was formed in October 2005. Best Friends Animal Society also provided immeasurable support and shelter care to the ARNO animal relief effort between mid-October 2005 and through February 2006.

On February 1, 2006, locals gathered at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel to meet with Jane and transition the administration of ARNO to local hands. Charlotte Bass Lilly, a local New Orleanian and a known animal welfare figure, took the lead position from Jane and united a network of dedicated locals to continue the ardent work that Jane and legions of other tireless volunteers from across the nation had begun. Charlotte, too, was early on the scene at Lamar-Dixon, arriving directly behind the LA/SPCA animal control officers and working in water/land rescue under their direction. Today locals who are able, continue to assist in the daily operation of ARNO’s no-kill triage shelter, rescues, reunites, fosters and adoptions, in addition to hundreds of out-of-state volunteers. Out-of-state volunteers consistently provide volunteers on the ground, as well as assist with remote volunteer duties from the cities in which they reside. Non-profit volunteer organizations, as well as faith-based organization, also assist supplying volunteers to ARNO’s no-kill triage shelter. In addition high school and college students volunteer to fulfill community service hours required of them.

Today, ARNO is still hard at work. Over 13,000 companion animals have found loving homes that have come through our shelter. There are thousands of animals that still need to be cared for, reunited, fostered and adopted. ARNO survives on volunteer labor and charitable contributions. ARNO works under the authority and regulations of the local animal control facilities in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, as well as the parishes of St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, Terrebonne and Lafayette.

Remembering Charlotte Bass Lilly

Charlotte Bass Lilly dedicated her life to giving a voice to animals in need. An animal advocate since the 1970s, Charlotte played an instrumental role in the massive animal rescue effort following Hurricane Katrina, helping save thousands of animals left behind in the storm’s aftermath. When national rescue organizations began leaving the region, Charlotte helped establish Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) to ensure that the work would continue and that homeless, abandoned and neglected animals in the New Orleans area would always have an advocate.

Charlotte had a special place in her heart for the animals others might overlook – the injured, sick, elderly and neglected – and found her greatest joy in helping them heal, learn to trust and experience love again. Her compassion, determination, humor and boundless energy helped shape ARNO and continue to inspire its work today. Charlotte lived by a simple mission: “rescue one by one until there are none.” Every animal ARNO saves and every life changed through that work carries forward the extraordinary legacy she left behind.