From March 29 to April 4, 2005, ARC Chairman Lexo Khubulava took an internship with the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, based in New Orleans, USA.

During the internship, which was sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, the ARC Chairman had an opportunity to get familiar with the programs run by LA/SPCA, including spay/neuter, shelter, adoption and fundraising. The ARC Chairman was hosted by LA/SPCA Executive Director Laura Maloney, whose business and leadership skills transformed LA/SPCA into a successful organization. Says Lexo Khubulava: "This was the first opportunity for me to observe and learn from the operation of a successful humane society in US. The experience that I acquired there will help me to take a fresh look at the problem of animal overpopulation in Georgia and take more effective steps toward its elimination."

The visit of ARC Chairman is featured in Laura Maloney’s weekly column published in The Times-Picayune, available online at: http://www.nola.com/enter/index.ssf?request=/picayunes/t-p/downtownpicayune/index.ssf%3f/base/news-3/111287510595410.xml&submit=INT