The Humane Society of South Mississippi is so much more than a shelter; it is a temporary home to the 14,000 animals dropped off every year by Animal Control and members of the community. The HSSM cares for these abandoned animals and provides love and support while doing all they can to find them a home for life. Some animals have simply run astray or are lost from their families, while others are victims of abandonment, neglect and overpopulation– in fact, the majority of animals at HSSM were brought here by owners no longer willing or able to be responsible for their pets. Unfortunately, only half of these animals are claimed or adopted, forcing HSSM to manage pet overpopulation problem through the euthanasia of 8,000 animals in 2007. Fortunately, our efforts in educating the public and in spaying/neutering and microchipping pets at low or no cost have lowered our euthansia rates significantly from previous years (when we were forced to euthanize 3 out of 4 animals) and have moved us much closer to our goal of euthanising only those animals who are considered truly and irreparably “unadoptable” for reasons of health or behavior.

Return to Owner

The HSSM holds animals for 5 days in the hopes that the pet’s owner will come for him–please VISIT THE SHELTER WITHIN 5 DAYS of losing your pet to view our lost & found animals– we cannot positively identify lost pets over the phone. After 5 days have passed, the animal becomes HSSM property, so it is important to begin the search for missing pets promptly or they may be placed for adoption or euthanised if they fail our health and behavior assessments! The surest way to be reunited quickly with a lost pet is to have a microchip installed in your pet.

HSSM also provides microchipping services to the public for only $20.00. Animal control officers are now able to return microchipped owners directly to owners rather than bringing them to the shelter, which can significantly reduce the fees owners of lost pets may face and will free up space and resources for animals who truly do not have a home. Please help HSSM and the animals we care for by microchipping your pets– we even have FREE microchipping clinics throughout the year. The next free clinic will be held on April 19, 2008 at HSSM and then several more will follow in Fall 2008. Call for details.

Adoption

After an animal has been at the shelter for over a week and is cleared of any medical problems and behavioral problems through our SAFER assessment, the animal becomes available for adoption. All adoptable animals are given their current vaccinations, a microchip, and is spayed or neutered as part of the adoption policy. If you have any adoption questions or are interested in adopting a pet, please check petfinder.com or come by the shelter during adoption hours. Look for shelter animals at PetsMart 7 days a week!

Foster Care

Foster Care is offered by volunteers for very young, injured, or ill animals. Because the shelter may not have the space to properly nurture these animals, especially during busy seasons, they are more likely to be euthanised. HSSM provides medication and assistance with food and foster parents provide shelter and care for these animals until they are ready to be adopted into forever homes. For more information on foster care or other volunteer opportunities, please contact the HSSM.

Spay/Neuter

Spay/Neuter is probably the most important service HSSM provides for the community and its pets. The only way to reduce pet overpopulation and stop the senseless killing of 5 million wonderful cats and dogs in the U.S. each year is to stop unplanned and unwanted reproduction. Please commit to making an appointment to have your pet spayed or neutered TODAY! This will save the lives of thousands of pets now and in the future.

HSSM offers low cost spay and neuter surgeries to the public for only $35.00. Visit our clinic or call 863-4394, option 2 to schedule your pet’s appointment or to get more information. Please be part of the solution by calling 863-4394, option 2 today. Your pet will thank you!

Don’t worry if your pet(s) are already altered, you can still be part of the solution. Please donate today or give to our S.N.I.P. fund so that others will be able to offer the same care to their pets.