The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from guest speaker, Jill Guillory Stephens with (EPAR)- Every Pet Animal Rescue. The volunteer animal rescue group has been in existence since 2014, rescuing pets from the two local pounds and strays. She reported that the Evangeline Parish Police Jury is assisting in funding the cost of veterinary bills for strays. The parish has no animal shelter. In 2018, EPAR rescued some 600 animals, mostly dogs and most were sent to new homes in northern states such as Maryland, Massachusetts and even Canada. The local group is affiliated with an animal rescue group headquartered in Maryland called "Last Chance Animal Group". A full time member of the group who resides in Mississippi travels to Maryland each week bringing some 60-110 dogs. EPAR's goal this year is to develop an animal shelter in the Ville Platte that will have 50 kennels. A number of groups have already stepped up and made donations toward the proposed shelter. Stephens was the special guest of Rotarian Annette Johnson. In other news, Rotary Club President presented new club member Deborah Vidrine a new member packet. Chamber Director Renee Brown reminded club members that there will be a planning meeting to clean up downtown Ville Platte Thursday at 4:30pm at Café Evangeline. Also, there will be three town hall meetings Friday with U.L. officials and students : 3:15pm and at 4;00pm at the Library to get public comments and feed back for tourism and the Industrial Park. A third town hall meeting is scheduled at 5;00pm at the Civic Center for public comments about revitalizing downtown Ville Platte.