For the past year, the Animal Advocates of Pearl River County have been providing care for lost animals in the county. Next month, volunteers will be hosting their first yard sale and are seeking donations from the public.
In 2014, real estate agent Bobbie Shute created the group because she had seen the affect stray animals had on property sales, said Animal Advocates President Lauren Fitts.
Since then, if a volunteer with the group sees a stray, they will bring it in, she said.
For instance, a dog was recently found on Highway 43, Fitts said. The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department contacted her because, after a bad storm, the dog had run into a Dollar General. He was terrified and didn’t know how to get out, she said.
“I went there, took and posted his picture on our Facebook page,” Fitts said. “I got a message from some one saying it looked like their dog. The owner had moved the prior year and her dog had gone missing.”
The dog was scanned for a microchip at the shelter and as it turned out, the dog belonged to the person who had contacted the group.
Fitts drove to Kiln to reunite the dog with its owner and at first he was a bit hesitant, she said.
“As soon as he smelled her, his demeanor changed,” Fitts said. “He started whimpering and rolling over. It was a good success story.”
Along with the success stories come the struggles, as many rescued animals require medical attention from a veterinarian.
In order to pay these bills, volunteers are always looking for fundraising opportunities, Fitts said.
The group is asking the community to donate gently used items for their upcoming yard sale, which includes clothing, household and outdoor items, she said.
“We can arrange pick up of these items in the Pearl River County area,” Fitts said.
People wishing to donate items may leave a message for volunteers at 601-909-5299 through the group’s Facebook page or email animaladvocates@gmail.com.
The yard sale will be held on Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Oct. 4 from noon until 4 p.m. at the Necaise Community Center near the corner of Highway 53 and Highway 603 in Necaise.