Hollywood and the national news media love to run stories about how Mississippi is last in everything. On the other hand, those native Mississippians and those of us who “weren’t born here but got here as fast as we could” love to tout what we’re proud of about our state, while working to make her even better.
In the recent first phase of the ASPCA’s $100,000.00 challenge, Mississippi came out in the top fifty shelters. We beat out many other shelters by being enthusiastic, as is our nature. The Humane Society of South Mississippi (HSSM)(of which I was a member of the Board of Directors for 18 years and twice its President) advanced to the second phase.
Now is when we get to put our words into action. In this stage the test is no longer voting and popularity, but lives saved. Krystyna Szczechowski, HSSM marketing specialist, tells MyPetsDoctor.com that in 2010 they saved 1300 lives and in 2011 the staff is aiming for 2300.
To win the competition it is the absolute count that matters. Ms. Szczechowski says tht the relative size of shelters is irrelevant, as it is the absolute numbers of pets adopted out, returned to owners or put on the Love Train program that counts.
We backers and supporters of HSSM will be getting down to work even harder.
For a list of other areas in which Mississippi is first, click here.
See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.
