MARL E-NEWSLETTER # 9 OCTOBER 8, 2007
I am so sorry that we did not get out an E-Newsletter for the month of September, but things were so hectic around here that it just wasn't possible. We had staff meetings; volunteer meetings and getting things ready for our yard sale at the old shelter took up a tremendous amount of time. In addition, I actually took a few days off and finished the month off with oral surgery.
Starting off on a happy note, Friends of MARL will have another "YAPPY HOUR" at TICO'S on County Line Road, October 23, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. A costume contest is included. For further information call: 601-898-3869.
Everyone has been asking about Strut Your Mutt. It's coming! We have it scheduled for Saturday, November 17 at the Jamie Fowler Boyll Park (formerly Lakeland Park) on Lakeland Drive. The theme this year will be" Giving Thanks" as we are so thankful for our new shelter and all that it means for the animals. 
The costume contest will be "Pilgrims Pride" and you can use your imagination as to how to dress your animals. Anything to do with the pilgrims, i.e., Turkeys, Pilgrims, Indians, maybe even dress them as an Ear of Corn or a Pumpkin. You will be receiving the brochure in the mail in a couple of weeks and more information is on our website under Events: www.msarl.org/events.html
We are very proud to announce that the Mississippi Animal Rescue League is one of the recipients of a $20,000 grant from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Maddies Fund. We will be hosting the awards ceremony for 17 agencies on October 11, 2007. Mr. Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of HSUS along with his staff will be presenting the check and touring the shelter. We consider this quite an honor.
Now that we are in our new shelter, we can hold more animals and give more a chance for a loving forever home. However, in today's "throwaway" society, when we are bored with something (particularly easily replaced things) they are discarded. Dogs and cats are labeled by too many people as "throwaway" items.
More than three to four million dogs and cats are killed in animal shelters every year in the United States simply because there are too many of them. We took in 17,000 last year. We did not have 17,000 homes ready for them. We get criticized, when we euthanize, but when we ask people to spay or neuter their pets in order to stop euthanasia, they look at us like we have just lost our mind. One man who brought us 4 five month old Lab puppies, when asked if he had thought about getting the mother spayed said, "Are you crazy, look what beautiful puppies she has!"
We are constantly asked if we are a "Kill shelter." Our answer is that we are an "Open door" shelter and we never turn an animal away. We cannot promise a home for every animal, but we do the best we can for every animal. What do you think? Living in a cage long term as they wait and wait for a home or humane euthanasia, when a home is just not available? The decision is not easy. For those that do not find that forever home, we take comfort in knowing that they will never suffer, go hungry or hurt again. The real answer to stop euthanasia? SPAY OR NEUTER! The Mississippi Animal Rescue League wants it stopped as much as you do. Please help spread the word, we cannot do it alone.
YOU KNOW YOU'RE A DOG PERSON WHEN...
• You have more dog beds, chew toys, collars, leashes, harnesses, and dog crates than you have dogs.
• You don't think twice about trading licks of an ice cream cone with your dog.
• The highlight of your day is spending time with your dog.
• Your Photo Christmas cards feature your dogs (humans optional).
YOU KNOW YOU'RE A CAT PERSON WHEN...
• You select your friends based on how well your cats like them.
• You buy more than 50 pounds of cat litter a month.
• Your cat sleeps on your head.
• You put off making the bed until the cat gets up.
Items needed at MARL: Our greatest need is financial. The new shelter is twice the size of the old one and it is costing us nearly twice as much to operate. You can donate on line at our web site: www.msarl.org and click on the Guidestar button or send donations to: MARL, 5221 Greenway Drive Ext., Jackson, MS 39204. As always we need dry adult dog and cat food and dry puppy and kitten food. We prefer brands such as Purina, Iams, or Pedigree as these cause less digestive problems. We need paper towels, paper towels and more paper towels.
On a positive note, our adoptions have gone up in our new facility and so have the number of people just visiting. It's a madhouse here on Saturdays and Sundays with people waiting in line to adopt. Some animals are adopted as soon as we can get them into the adoption rooms.
We thank you all for your belief and support of MARL.
Aileene Maldonado
Programs Manager
MARL
5221 Greenway Drive
Jackson, MS 38204
aileenem@netdoor.com
www.msarl.org
Jackson, MS 39209
601-969-1671