Shelter Crisis in Hancock County

7/21/2022

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Local shelters are beyond capacity and working with few resources. Learn how you can help through volunteering, donating or adopting. How can you say “no” to this face?

- by Lisa Monti

MISSY, a five-month-old Cur/Pittie mix, was dumped at our shelter after hours with absolutely no regard for her safety or well-being. If you are familiar with Texas Flat Road, you may know that we are located on a busy highway traveled daily by 18-wheelers. Missy definitely had a guardian angel watching over her. She is shy and gentle and seems way too serious for her tender age. But she is very playful, friendly, and loving with her kennel mate, another pup around her age. She seeks out affection and wants nothing more than to curl up in our volunteers' laps and soak up all the love she can.

The description above might win Missy a lifelong companion, but at the Hancock County Animal Shelter, there are so many dogs and cats needing homes now, the hard-working staff and volunteers can’t write these descriptions fast enough.

Shelters such as Hancock’s – along with rescue facilities everywhere these days – are taking in more animals than they can accommodate.

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Part of the current over-crowding problem has its roots in the pandemic: Millions of people adopted pets during the shut-downs to help ease their isolation. Now that the worst of the crisis has past, many of these pets are no longer wanted.

Learn more about Camo, a beautiful Texas Blue Lacy, by contacting the Hancock County Animal Shelter at 228-466-4516 or 985-285-2244.

In this unforeseen post-pandemic crisis, it’s vital that the coast community steps up and helps the animals in need of foster and forever homes. The support helps the Hancock Shelter manage stray animals and those surrendered or abandoned by owners. The shelter also provides health screenings, vaccinations and the mandatory spay or neutering of all adopted animals. Services include low-cost spay and voucher program, and micro-chipping and off-site adoptions.

Come meet the handsome Nick, a 2-year-old Rottweiler mix, at the Hancock County Shelter! Make an appointment by calling 228-466-4516 or 985-285-2244.

It’s an enormous job in the best of times. The Hancock Shelter serves the entire county with its population of 47,000, including the cities of Bay St. Louis, Waveland and Diamondhead. Everything the staff does complies with state, federal and local laws and regulations, under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian.

Those eyes! That smile! Who can resist? Meet Sadie, an Australian Shepard mix who will melt your heart. Call 228-466-4516 or 985-285-2244 to set up an appointment to meet her!

Isn't that a happy face? Meet Scottie, an 18 month old Mountain Cur mix who deserves a loving home. Call 228-466-4516 or 985-285-2244 to schedule an appointment to meet him!

If you want to support the Hancock Shelter, you can do so in a surprising number of ways.

Of course, you can give an animal a second chance by adopting a pet into your home for a small fee. But if you can’t do that, consider fostering a pet temporarily. Foster families are vital to shelter animals, helping to avoid euthanasia while freeing up space in the Shelter to make room for other animals. All food and vet care for foster animals is covered.

Shelter supporter Nikki Moon is currently fostering Jasper and posted this on Facebook to encourage others.

You can buy items such as food, collars and leashes, feeding and water bowls, and cleaning supplies from the Shelter’s Amazon Wish List. You could also designate the Shelter as an Amazon Smile Charity List beneficiary when you shop on Amazon. AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of eligible Charity List purchases to your selected charity, at no extra cost to you.

You can also drop off donations at the Shelter itself or at the Kiln and Waveland Branches of the Hancock County Library System, Wishlist Flea Market in Waveland and Bay Breeze Liquor Store in Bay St. Louis.

Volunteering is another way to help with the Shelter’s daily operations and activities. Volunteers help by walking and bathing dogs, giving out treats, socializing the dogs and cats and helping with laundry. Students can earn community service hours at the Shelter and volunteers can assist with shelter cat adoptions at PetSmart in Gulfport on Saturdays during their business hours.

Membership in Friends of the Animal Shelter is another way to help out, through donations, fundraising events and membership fees. Friends is a 501(c)3 nonprofit independent organization supporting shelter efforts and animal welfare in Hancock County.

You can also attend special events that raise funds for the shelter. “Friends” will host the Second Annual White Linen on Coleman Avenue Sept. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. to benefit the Animal Shelter (find more details on our Upcoming Events page!) The family and pet friendly evening in Waveland will feature local artists, food and music. Bring your lawn chairs to Coleman Avenue to raise funds to support the Hancock County Animal Shelter.

The second annual White Linen Night on Coleman Avenue in Waveland will benefit the Hancock County Animal Shelter. (photo from 2021 event)

A happy face at last year's White Linen Night in Waveland.

Shane Wyman is director of the shelter which is located at 7175 Texas Flat Road, Kiln. Hours are Monday-Friday 10 am to 4 pm. The phone number is (228) 466-4516. You can see pets available for adoption on the shelter’s Facebook page and on their website.

Clicking here will take you to PayPal, where you can make a donation to the Friends of the Animal Shelter in Hancock County via PayPal or credit card.

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