Effective Immediately: Closed for intake.

About Us

We are a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that survives on the donations of our generous supporters and fundraising events. Our rescue is completely foster-based, meaning we rely on the willingness of our community members to provide safe and loving homes for the animals in our care until they can find forever homes.

Meet the Team

Linda Desselle

ARR Founder | Board Executive

A woman with reddish-brown, curly hair and glasses is smiling while holding a black, scruffy puppy with brown eyes. The puppy also appears to be smiling with its mouth slightly open. The woman is wearing a peach-colored shirt and is sitting in a chair with a brown, textured armrest. The background is a grassy lawn with trees and shrubs.

Bridget

Bordelon

ARR Co-Founder | Board Executive

A woman with short dark hair is smiling while holding a grey tabby kitten. She is wearing a light grey t-shirt and has an orange-brown smart watch on her left wrist, where a small tattoo is also visible. The photo is taken outdoors at night, with a white pickup truck and a light pole visible in the background.

Leslie Arceneaux

ARR Cat Program | Board Secretary

A woman with short grey hair and glasses is smiling while holding a black puppy with large, pointy ears, a white patch on its chest, and white front paws. The puppy is wearing a neon green collar. The woman is wearing a light grey t-shirt. They are standing outdoors in a paved area, possibly a parking lot, with the open rear hatch of a dark-colored vehicle on the left and a brightly lit building and red reflections on the pavement in the background, suggesting it is dusk or nighttime.

Liz Jeansonne

Board Treasurer

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a dark blue long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans, is kneeling outdoors between two dogs. The dog on the left is a light-colored, possibly white or tan, short-haired dog with its tongue out. The dog on the right is a black, fluffy, medium-to-large-sized dog with its tongue slightly out. They are sitting on a patchy lawn covered with dry leaves, and a large tree trunk is visible behind the woman. The background is a grassy field with a line of trees in the distance.

Cynthia Craft

Board Member | Digital Marketing

Located In:
Avoyelles Parish - Central Louisiana.

Proud Recipients...

November 2026

Atchafalaya River Rescue was honored to receive the Tractor Supply Foundation Hometown Hero Award, a recognition presented to organizations making a meaningful impact in their local communities. The award celebrates the dedication of grassroots nonprofits working to improve lives through service, compassion, and community engagement. This recognition reflects our volunteers' commitment to rescuing, protecting, and advocating for animals across Avoyelles Parish and inspires us to continue our mission of creating a better future for homeless, abandoned and neglected pets.

A poster announcing the "BUSINESS OF THE MONTH" for "SEPTEMBER 2024" is displayed. The poster features a photo of a group of people, most wearing light green shirts, standing under a tent. They are clustered around a sign that says "RISE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH WE MEAN BUSINESS" and a framed award. The banner behind them says "ATCHAFALAYA RIVER RESCUE." At the bottom of the poster, the text says "REINVESTING IN R*I*S*E SIMMESPORT'S EXPANSION."

Our small nonprofit animal rescue is honored to have been awarded Business of the Month by R.I.S.E.

R.I.S.E or Reinvesting in Simmesport's Expansion is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting of seven Board Executive Members, several committee members, and Junior Risers. It was formed in 2018 to foster economic development by seeking grants from public and private organizations for cultural, business, and infrastructure projects. R.I.S.E's mission is to provide a bridge between business and government to create an environment conducive to both economic and cultural growth in Simmesport.

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