FERRIDAY &8212; All the Concordia Animal Welfare Shelter wants for Christmas is a little security.

Since having a $20,000 rural development grant eliminated by the state legislature in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, CAWS has had to halt construction on its stray animal intake building and &8212; without support from the community &8212; may have to cease operation altogether.

&8220;We are struggling to provide services; we&8217;re not getting the community support we need to keep the doors open,&8221; CAWS Director Lisa Smith said.

The shelter derives all of its operating revenue from financial contributions and grants. With grant money being diverted to hurricane recovery, the financial support of the community is needed now more than ever.

The money generated from adoption donations doesn&8217;t begin to cover the $1,500 Smith said it takes to run the shelter&8217;s day-to-day operations each month.

Exactly zero of those dollars go to paying staff. Smith, who works gratis, said the only paid staff member is funded by a member of the CAWS board of directors.

Everyone else is a volunteer.

Rena Pitts, a member of the board, said if the there is not an increase in public support, the shelter would be forced to close within the next three months.

&8220;The overpopulation of unwanted animals is a huge problem and CAWS is the only organization that deals with it,&8221; she said.

In addition to taking in, caring for and adopting out abandoned animals, Smith teaches humane education at schools, clubs and &8220;anywhere that&8217;ll have us&8221; in the parish. To see CAWS&8217; community service at work, stop by Heritage Manor Tuesday at 3 p.m. and observe Smith&8217;s monthly pet therapy session.

There are many ways you can help. While there is a &8220;huge need for financial contributions,&8221; according to Pitts, that&8217;s not the only way.

Pet supplies, including food, blankets, towels, toys and cages, are welcome as are volunteers.

And volunteering doesn&8217;t just mean cleaning out cages.

&8220;We need mature adult volunteers to help with fundraising, the Web site, things outside of the shelter,&8221; Smith said.

Letters and phone calls to local aldermen and police jurors would also help them understand the community is behind the fight for unwanted and abused pets.

And you can always call (318) 757-2297 or visit the shelter in Ferriday to adopt a pet.

&8220;We have to have community support,&8221; Smith said. &8220;If we don&8217;t get it &8212; if the community doesn&8217;t see the value in what we&8217;re doing &8212; then we won&8217;t be able to stay open.&8221;