Abandoned to Adored to open shelter

The same day the pet adoption group Abandoned to Adored held its first fundraiser the group also closed on its first shelter, said organizer Anita Barnett.

Fifty supporters purchased tickets to its Mutts and Martinis fundraiser held at Walter Place Thursday, May 26. The coincidence seemed quite non-coincidental for Barnett who has been keeping stray dogs at her home and helped organize the non-profit.

Strays have a place to call home and an opportunity to be adopted.

The new headquarters is located at 525 Highway 178 in the old nutrient building across from Quality Carpet. A facility behind the front building will be used to provide shelter to homeless cats.

Barnett said she has about 38 dogs with about 20 destined for adoption in Canada and New Jersey.

Heretofore, Abandoned to Adored has been operating off the donations of a small group of pet lovers but the possibility to expand has skyrocketed with this new facility.

The Marshall County Humane Society shelter on Eddie Lee Smith Drive is the other only shelter for abandoned pets.

It is one project at a time and the dog shelter will go first. It will be climate-controlled shelter and remodeled for easy sanitizing. One room will be converted into an office.

Some things are going to be needed to kick start getting the building ready for man’s best friends.

Concrete floors will be sealed so they can be washed.

A wish lists includes the following:

• a professional grade floor cleaning apparatus used in shelters.

• interior paint for walls.

• kennels.

• chain link fencing. For construction of outdoor runs.

• dog food and veterinary supplies.

• office furniture and equipment such as computers, copiers, and fax machines.

• volunteer painters, plumbers and electricians.

• lots of volunteers and donations.

“We need anything anybody will donate,” Barnett said. Not only will there be a loan to be paid off but monthly utility bills comes with the building. Rita Clay with the Marshall County Humane Society has high hopes for this new shelter. “I think if anyone can make

this happen it will be Anita,” Clay said. “This isn’t a problem that can be fixed by a few people. It’s a big problem around here that’s been going on a long, long time.

“It doesn’t continue without support of the community, donations, volunteers and fosters.” There are several ways to donate to Abandoned to Adored.

To donate through Venmo go to @abandoned to adored. To donate by PayPal, go to @abandoned to adored. Or checks can be mailed to 525 Highway 178, Holly Springs, MS 38635.

To offer to help build this non-profit for strays and maintain it or for more information call or text Barnett at 662-252-9230.