The mission of the Humane Society of South Mississippi is to advocate the bond between animals and humans, provide the highest quality services and compassion to the animals entrusted to our care, reduce companion animal overpopulation, and increase the save-rate of animals in our community.

The Humane Society of South Mississippi was overwhelmed by the enormous impact of Hurricane Katrina, and our shelter experienced complete devastation. Four feet of water flooded our old facility, and all equipment, supplies, and records were lost. Katrina’s impact was simply far more destructive than anyone anticipated, and our future looked grim.

Thanks to the support of countless organizations and volunteers, HSSM has not only recovered from Hurricane Katrina, but has thrived in our community in a way never before possible. Generous financial support from across the country helped us complete the construction of our new 41,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in March of 2006.

The community response to this facility has been immense. HSSM is now recognized as a community beacon of opportunity thanks to our positive, energetic partnership with the pets and people of South Mississippi. Community interest and involvement has soared, demonstrating the effect that a new building in a prime location can make.

In January of 2007, HSSM was overjoyed to learn that we were chosen as one of the targeted communities for ASPCA ® Mission: Orange™ : a focused effort to create a nation of humane communities, one community at a time. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) focused a large portion of its resources to aid animal welfare efforts and education in the Gulfport / Biloxi community over three years. The ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ partners included MS SPAN, City of Gulfport Police Department Animal Control, City of Biloxi Police Department Animal Control, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department Animal Control, and the Humane Society of South Mississippi.

The end of 2009 marks the end of ASPCA: Mission Orange in the Gulfport/Biloxi area. Now, more than ever, we are dependent upon our community to support our ongoing efforts to end pet overpopulation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. HSSM is a private nonprofit and as such does not receive government funding in the work towards our mission.

HSSM depends on its donors to support our three major initiatives for achieving its goal of becoming a humane community:

- Increasing and enhancing adoptions;
- Increasing spay/neuter efforts;
- Transporting excess adoptable animals to other shelters.

Through the ASPCA’s support during ASPCA® Mission: Orange™ Harrison County has become one of the leaders in the creation of humane communities nationwide. Now we need your help to continue toward a victory in our fight against pet overpopulation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.