The Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM) has closed the doors to all animals entering the shelter from the public and animal control officers– until further notice.

“We are 100 animals over maximum capacity due to yesterday’s seizure and I refuse to euthanize animals that are currently in our shelter just to make room for more to come in,” said Tara High, Interim Executive Director of HSSM.

Since 1952 HSSM has been an open admissions shelter that accepts all animals regardless of space and has never turned away animals due to maximum capacity.  This is the first time in history HSSM has closed their doors.  Average HSSM intake from the public and animal control averages approximately 40 pets per day.  HSSM took in 153 pets yesterday, June 10, and no longer has the space or the resources to properly care for the current pet residents.

“We need a little time to get animals adopted, fostered, and transported,” said Jode’ Braxton-Hignight, Development Director for HSSM.  “We apologize for any inconveniences but, we need to focus our attention to saving the animals lives that are here and we need to help them quickly.”

To reduce the capacity of animals, HSSM urges the public to come in to adopt or foster a pet.

HSSM is requesting donations from our community so that medical treatment can be offered to the 90+ animals.  Towels, sheets, and blankets are also needed as well.

Adoption and foster hours of operation are Monday thru Saturday from 10 to 6 PM.

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Since January 2010 the Humane Society of South Mississippi has assisted more than 520 animals through law enforcement seizures.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 11th, 2010 at 12:10 pm and is filed under Press Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.