Dear Friend of the Animals – we need your help!

Small organizations, like The Pearl River County SPCA , are told time and again what they can’t do either because  we aren’t big enough, there isn’t enough community support ,  or the problems are just too great to overcome.    We’ve heard a hundred “reasons” why we shouldn’t be able to succeed…but over the last ten years, we’ve learned to brush these excuses aside and focus on what we can do. 

                *We created a  low-cost spay/neuter program that has already serviced more than 4,000 dogs and cats in the past  three years….thereby preventing tens of thousands of unwanted and homeless animals and senseless euthanasia in the future;

                * We increased adoptions, formed a response team to rescue animal victims of neglect and abuse, and improved the terrible odds of many rescued animals;

                * When Hurricane Katrina presented new challenges, we were instrumental in the care and  feeding of not only Pearl River County dogs and cats, but we helped our Louisiana neighbors as well;

* Despite being  told we couldn’t, we found homes for 2,500-plus animals in the past two years!

*We have become nationally recognized and respected in just a short time by veterinarians and many animal welfare organizations, and have even been asked to mentor shelters in other states.

Now we are facing a new challenge and once again we hear the voices of those telling us what can’t be done in Pearl River County to help the animals. 

Our current shelter on Palestine Road is very inadequate.  Despite the dedication of our talented staff and volunteers, there is only so much they can accomplish within the constraints of our shelter.

                * The Pearl River County SPCA handles an average of 5,000 animals yearly, taking in 3,000 more  animals per year (almost 40%) than is normal for our population level;  

* A typical number of staff for shelters handling 5,000 animals per year is  9 to 15 staff positions, yet our shelter is still staffed way below national averages with only 5 full-time staff;     

* The national average is $75 to $200 per animal for open-door intake shelters like the PRC SPCA--our cost per animal is still extremely low (an average of $35/animal)--far below average, and as a 501c(3) non-profit organization, the shelter subsists mainly on donations.

 With the population of Pearl River County projected to reach more than 65,000 by 2010, our work will continue to increase.  The SPCA has finally found a property in a great location.  In an effort to be good stewards of every precious dollar donated to our New Shelter Campaign, we will modify as many of the existing features that we can to fit the needs of the shelter.   This facility will also offer expanded opportunities for jobs and volunteering while allowing us to better-serve our animals and human clients.  We will finally have a facility that matches the pride we have in our programs, staff and volunteers. 

 No doubt, our New Shelter Campaign is courageous and will cost a great deal of money.  The combined purchase and renovations of this 10,000 SF building will cost an estimated $1.75 million.  Animal shelters today are specialized structures, quite different from bare warehouses with chain link cages that may have been acceptable even fifteen years ago.  We must raise 30% ($585,000) to go forward.

Once again, the “nay sayers” will tell us that it can’t be done in Pearl River County.   That’s why we are looking to every-day animal-lovers…people like you and me… who will answer this plea to improve the chances of helpless, homeless and neglected animals in Pearl River County now and in the future.     

Many of us have witnessed the success brought about by optimism, team work, and dedication in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.    I am confident that the new SPCA facility will become a reality through the generous and strong support of our citizens-- people who care about the problem and want to be part of the solution.  I hope that you will be among the animal lovers who want to make a difference.

Please join the supporters of the Pearl River County SPCA that are already making a very real life-and-death difference for our animals.  Please look into your heart and make a generous tax-deductible donation to the SPCA’s 2008 New Shelter Campaign today.  We have only 90 days to raise $585,000,  but  with your help and support, we can make the much-needed shelter a reality. 

“Thank you for helping to make life better for the animals!”

 

This is the Pearl River County SPCA located at 1700 Palestine Rd. in Picayune, MS.  It is extremely  inadequate and we are bursting at the seams!

“Thank you for your donation to help us!”

We must raise a minimum 30% of the projected cost (of $1.75 million) within 90 days—talk about a challenge!  With the ability to show public support for this project, we know that more major donors will come forward to be part of this much-needed shelter.  Raising $585,000 by April 30, 2008—in just 14 weeks—is a huge task and we are in dire need of your support to fund this project!

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.Click here to get a printable Donor form to mail in.