Southern Pines Animal Shelter celebrates 65 years in Pine Belt
This is a press release from Southern Pines Animal Shelter.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Pines Animal Shelter is gearing up to celebrate its 65th Anniversary with events running from September 30, 2017 through October 8, 2017.
“We are so proud to have the opportunity to serve the Pinebelt,” said Ginny Sims, Director at Southern Pines Animal Shelter. “Southern Pines has come so far with the support and hard work of so many throughout the community. During this anniversary week, we are celebrating 65 years of helping people and pets.”
Over the last 65 years, Southern Pines has grown to provide a wide array of services to the community and this year announced a milestone in achieving no-kill status while remaining an open admission shelter for communities across the state of Mississippi. More than 6,000 pets each year are saved through the efforts of our staff, volunteers, partners, and community supporters.
The Southern Pines Spay & Neuter Clinic, which opened in 2009, has completed almost 50,000 spay and neuter surgeries to date. The clinic has saved more than 1.2 million lives by reducing the number of unwanted litters being born into Mississippi communities. Last year, the clinic launched a wellness program to provide low-cost healthy pet services to at-risk dogs and cats in impoverished communities.
The Southern Pines Second Chance Thrift Shop, which opened in 2011, has raised more than $172,000 to save the lives of homeless, neglected and abused pets at Southern Pines. In addition, the Second Chance Thrift Shop is a vital part of the community and has also donated thousands of dollars in clothing and items to organizations assisting our homeless population and local at-risk youth.
“We want to spend this week celebrating with our community,” said Sims. “Together, we are saving more lives than ever before, and together, we can continue making a difference for people and pets for years to come.”
The events for the week include:
Saturday, September 30th – the Southern Pines Spay & Neuter Clinic will host a free rabies vaccine clinic for residents of the City of Hattiesburg and Forrest County from 9am – 1pm. Residents of other counties may also purchase rabies vaccines at half-price during the event for just $5. Other vaccines will also be available for $10-$15. All pets must be a minimum of 12 weeks of age and in healthy condition. Cats must be in carriers and dogs on leashes.
Monday, October 2nd – Join us as we kick off a 6-week Southern Pines Wellness Initiative through our “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” Exercise Program. This program will focus on keeping pets healthy through exercise. We will meet each Monday at 6pm at the USM Gateway of the Longleaf Trace to walk a 5k. Dogs should be leashed to participate. During the kickoff event, participants can arrive at 5:30pm to receive personalized tips for healthy weight management for their pets from Southern Pines Animal Shelter’s Medical Director.
Tuesday, October 3rd – Take the pledge to ID your pet by visiting southernpinesanimalshelter.org/ID. Each year, thousands of lost pets find their way to shelters around the state. On Tuesday, Southern Pines Animal Shelter will be giving away free collars and engraved ID tags while supplies last. Microchips will also be available for $10 during the daylong event. This event runs from 10am-5pm at Southern Pines Animal Shelter and is open to individuals from all counties. Pets must be present for microchipping.
Wednesday, October 4th – We’re celebrating “No More Hump Day” with spay & neuter specials. $10 male dog/cat neuter vouchers will be available for purchase to the first 20 people at Southern Pines Spay & Neuter Clinic on Wednesday beginning at 10am. We’ll also be celebrating 50,000 surgeries completed since the clinic’s opening in 2009, and the community is invited to join Southern Pines in celebrating at the clinic with cake and refreshments at 12:30pm.
Thursday, October 5th – Join us for a pet friendly outdoor movie at the Keg & Barrel. Come out early for great food and drinks, and then settle in for a movie beginning at 7pm. Southern Pines Animal Shelter will also be launching a brand new “Dog’s Day Out” Program just in time for the show! This innovative new program will allow individuals to come by Southern Pines and check out a dog for an hour or the whole day! The program aims at connecting people who may not be ready or able to adopt a dog with shelter dogs who need a break from the shelter and to let their true personality shine. Participants will also be encouraged to spread the word about their dog with the hope of increasing the chances for adoption. To find out more, or to get signed up for the program, please visit. http://www.southernpinesanimalshelter.org/dogsdayout.html
Friday, October 6th – The Southern Pines Second Chance Thrift Shop will hold a 65th Anniversary Clothing Blowout Sale featuring clothing for just $.65 (excludes shoes and select specially tagged clothing). The Thrift Shop is located at 111 Broadway Drive and is open from 9am-5pm.
Saturday, October 7th – Southern Pines is celebrating all of our volunteers helping across the organization with a volunteer appreciation day beginning at 11am. Volunteers are invited for refreshments, lunch, and a short ceremony to be held at Southern Pines Animal Shelter honoring their contributions to the mission of Southern Pines.
Sunday, October 8th – Southern Pines will wrap up the week of celebration with an alumni picnic at Town Square Park in Hattiesburg from 1pm-4pm. Adopters, volunteers, supporters, and animal alumni (friendly and on leash) are invited to join us for a picnic in the park. The picnic will feature live music, face painting, balloon animals, bouncy houses and more. There will be food and beverages from local vendors available for purchase, but attendees are also welcome to bring outside food and beverage.
