Animal shelters offer numerous benefits to communities, including providing a haven for homeless animals, reducing pet overpopulation, and promoting responsible pet ownership. They also play a crucial role in animal rescue, rehabilitation, and finding loving homes for animals in need. Regional animal shelters can have a positive impact on local economies and contribute to community well-being.
There are 220 animal shelters and animal welfare organizations in Mississippi, according to Cause IQ. Large organizations like the Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Humane Society of South Mississippi, Tupelo-Lee Humane Society (TLHS), Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL), and Rocking R Ranch Rescue create the most significant economic impact across the state, but all shelters play a part in improving Mississippi and helping animals.
Southern Cross Animal Rescue of Laurel, Mississippi, is a small, no-kill operation. Still, it has a big mission: to rescue abandoned, neglected, and abused animals that other shelters may not be suited to handle.
“Back in 2013, we had three wonderful ladies who saw a big need in our county, Jones County, and the surrounding areas where there were a lot of poor homeless animals,” shared Kate Beech, director of Southern Cross Animal Rescue (SCAR). “Often these animals had unfortunately been abused, which makes them a more difficult rescue, and other shelters didn’t know how to deal with their needs.”
Animals end up in shelters for a variety of reasons, primarily due to being found as strays, surrendered by their owners, or through animal control efforts. Many owners surrender their pets due to unforeseen circumstances such as moving, financial hardship, or a change in their living situation. However, unfortunately, sometimes animals are rescued from cruel owners or are found as strays and show signs of mistreatment. Abused animals require specialized care and support to recover from the trauma they have experienced.
“Some would say that our animals are beyond help,” shared Beech. “But, we have had an excellent turnaround rate with them, helping get them rehabilitated and ready to go into new homes.”
Not all SCAR rescues show signs of abuse from handlers, but they have medical needs that are too great for other shelters to manage.
“We get some with terrible injuries and end up having to have amputations,” shared Beech. “Or some come to use with hard-to-manage skin issues.”
Like most local, small animal shelters, they survive strictly on generous donations or grants written by the staff. Most don’t receive any funding from the state or county, and that can sometimes be a misconception.
“Our power bill, water bill, employees, food, medication, everything that we have to pay for to keep SCAR running comes strictly from public donations,” explained Beech.
If you aren’t in a position to make a financial donation to your local animal shelter, they can still use other items you may have around your house, or may want to hold a drive at your work, church, or within your community event.
Animal shelters welcome donations of food, toys, cleaning supplies, bedding, and medical supplies. Specific items include unopened pet food, toys, towels, blankets, cleaning supplies such as bleach, laundry detergent, and paper towels, as well as medical supplies like gauze and tape. Contact your local shelter for specific needs and preferences.
“We recently had a sweet lady come in whose cat had passed away, and she had some unopened antibiotic cream that she never got to use for it, and she brought that to us,” shared Beech. “That was a blessing for another animal.”
Animal shelters also need families who will rescue! Shelter pets are typically eager to please and love unconditionally. You get the benefit of saving a life and supporting your local shelter by providing funds through minimal adoption fees and making room for the next fur friend in need, especially when the shelter is committed to being a no-kill facility.
“Our longest resident has been with us since 2018 or 2019,” shared Beech. “And dogs like him may spend their lives here. So when you adopt from SCAR, or other rescues like us, you help give them a chance to know what it’s like to be loved.”
To learn more about Southern Cross Animal Rescue, visit their website: www.scarofms.org
To find an animal shelter near you, visit: https://www.causeiq.com/directory/animal-shelters-list/mississippi-state/
