Jackson County Animal Shelter overwhelmed: Community urged to step in
Jackson County, MS (WXXV) – The Jackson County Animal Shelter is facing a critical overcrowding crisis, taking in an average of 17 animals a day and currently operating at full capacity.
As a result, the shelter has been forced to temporarily stop accepting owner surrenders.
“The phone rings constantly off the hook as soon as we open every day,” says Maridee Mallette, a staff member at the shelter. “We do take surrenders, but we’re on a hold right now because we have so many.”
With no more room to take in animals, the shelter is turning to the community for urgent help.
“Our next step is trying to get people to foster, adopt, and share everything they can on Facebook. Help us any way you can,” Mallette urges.
Local rescue organizations such as Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets, Wags and Whiskers, and Tire Dog Rescue are stepping up to assist. However, they too are stretched thin and in desperate need of foster homes to help move animals out of the shelter and into safety.
“They could get more animals out if people would foster for them,” Mallette explains. “You can find them on Facebook and email them to help.”
The majority of animals arriving at the shelter are owner surrenders—some of which are simply abandoned.
“We get more surrenders than anything,” says Mallette. “Or people just dump them because they can’t take care of them. And that’s a terrible thing to do.”
Mallette emphasizes that pet owners can make a difference by taking simple preventative measures: spay and neuter your pets, microchip them, and ensure fences and enclosures are secure.
“Please come to the shelter and look if your pet goes missing,” she adds. “Don’t wait—because we get full so fast.”
Fostering, Mallette says, is one of the most impactful ways the community can help. Many fostered animals are later transferred to shelters in northern states where stricter pet laws create more room for adoption.
“Fostering saves lives,” she says. “More people doing that with rescues can make a huge difference.”
One final reminder from Mallette: “Love your pets. They need you.”
Want to help? Visit the Jackson County Animal Shelter on Facebook or reach out to local rescues for foster and adoption opportunities. Every share, every home, and every act of compassion counts.
