On March 16, 2010 HSSM responded to a call for assistance from Harrison County Animal Control. The officers went to the location of South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge (SMARTR) because of a complaint of animal cruelty.

At the location, animal control found nearly 300 animals in rusty crates and runs with no clean water or real shelter to speak of. Dog crates were open to the elements with no protection from sun or rain.  Many dogs were doubled in cages that were not appropriate for one dog and many dogs were combined with 5-6 other dogs in a run.  Cats were housed in unhealthy conditions where cages were stacked 4-5 high without appropriate flooring.

HSSM managed, organized, and established all the details of the rescue mission with the assistance of many volunteers and the Sheriff’s department and their inmates. The PetSmart Charities Disaster Relief Waggin, quickly arrived to help and it was filled with more than $60,000 of supplies including crates, bowls, food, leashes, collars, and many more items needed to undertake this project.

HSSM volunteers and staff moved the animals to Harrison County Farm where tents were set up and appropriate sized cages were used. All of the animals received baths, walks in the cool green grass (something they hadn’t seen in a long time), and proper medical treatment.

HSSM sent 271 pets to animal welfare agencies across the U.S. where they could find their forever homes and receive a better quality of life. The 22 dogs that were not transported out were brought to HSSM to find homes and many have already found adoptive families of their own!

293 deserving dogs and cats now have homes and it’s all because of the generosity of our supporters. An extra-special thank you to anyone and everyone volunteered and donated to this project, we could have never done it without you!