OKTIBBEHA COUNTY – The Oktibbeha County Humane Society is asking for help providing veterinary care and support for 32 dogs living at a rural Mississippi home.
According to the humane society, the homeowner did not intentionally accumulate the dogs. Instead, people repeatedly left dogs at the property over time.
The organization said the man has been feeding the animals and built small yards to keep them contained and safe. When humane society representatives visited, they said the yards were clean and the dogs appeared to have been cared for as well as possible.
However, the homeowner lives on Social Security, and much of his income has gone toward dog food. The humane society said basic veterinary care for all 32 dogs was beyond his means.
The man also had limited options for help. There is no animal shelter in his county, and a nearby city shelter could not accept the dogs because he lives outside city limits. Other rescues and shelters he contacted were already full or overwhelmed, according to the organization.
The Oktibbeha County Humane Society said it is now working to assist the dogs.
Many of the animals are thin and may need treatment for intestinal parasites. Most are also dealing with fleas and hair loss. One small dog has a severe vaginal prolapse, and the organization said it is not yet clear whether the condition can be repaired.
The humane society’s first goal is to provide exams, deworming, flea treatment, vaccinations, spay and neuter surgeries and additional medical care for dogs that need it.
The organization said the situation also highlights a broader lack of animal welfare resources in some Mississippi communities, where residents may have nowhere to turn when animals are abandoned on their property.
The Oktibbeha County Humane Society is asking for donations to help cover veterinary care, food and other support for the 32 dogs.
