TUPELO, Miss. (AP) — A sharp increase in the number of sheltered animals threatens the financial survival of the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, according to the nonprofit organization’s leadership.
The Daily Journal reports key government figures from the city of Tupelo and Lee County met with leaders of the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society last week as the organization seeks an emergency increase in public funding.
“If the city and county don’t help us then we’re going to have a problem keeping the doors open,” said Nelson Gravatt, president of the society’s board of directors.
As of September, the shelter — which was built with kennel space for 165 animals — was housing 342 animals, with another 201 animals in foster care.
The humane society pays for the food and medical care of fostered animals, but they stay at private homes rather than the shelter.
The shelter is on track to take in more than 5,000 animals this year, more than any of the previous three years. Some of the increase is attributed to the pandemic.
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