To discuss making a gift, please contact ejackson@arfms.org. Currently, we are in the Quiet Phase of our fundraising campaign. Our goal is $12 Million. Already, we have raised $2 Million toward this goal. We are seeking major gifts from community leaders in the form of cash and non-cash contributions.

ARF is Mississippi's largest no-kill shelter. Since our founding in 2005, we have placed nearly 5,000 pets in loving homes, many of which other shelters could not accommodate due to special medical or behavioral needs. Through natural disasters, water crises, and other challenges, we have stood by our mission to care for the whole animal—proactively addressing medical and behavioral needs as necessary to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need, ensuring their well-being and enhancing the human-animal bond.

We all want to live in a world where the state’s largest no-kill shelter can take in as many animals as necessary; where the people who step up and take responsibility for abandoned animals can work in safe, sanitary conditions; and where the people closest to the issues can address the root causes—and not just the symptoms. When you give, you affirm these shared values in a tangible, and lifesaving, way.

As we approach our third decade in service to our community, ARF has developed a strategic plan to relocate and expand into the ARF of Mississippi Rescue Village. More than a shelter, this comprehensive rescue and adoption complex will provide a supportive community for pets in need and the people who help them. At the same time, it will allow us to address the root causes of pet abandonment, while unlocking new revenue streams to bolster operational stability.

We boldly ask our friends and neighbors for significant support, based on decades of lifesaving work, combined with this well-thought-out plan.

Not only will this multi-building complex significantly expand the number of animals ARF can rescue, it would dramatically improve their quality of life while they await adoption. It will also provide a safe and welcoming environment for rescue workers, volunteers, and prospective adopters.

Dogs will enjoy spacious kennels with private outdoor access; a dog park with tunnels and splash pads; and miles of walking trails. Cat rooms will have a screened porch that will overlook a pollinator garden to keep curious kitties entertained (without harming wildlife!).

Moreover, medical and behavioral issues could be addressed onsite, saving lives and improving adoptability. Finally, space for community events will allow ARF to educate the public about responsible pet ownership, setting up pet adopters for success.

• An onsite vet clinic with capacity to spay/neuter more than 4,000 animals a year would shorten our medical wait times, reduce operating costs, and prevent unwanted litters.

• Since behavioral issues are a major cause of pet abandonment, there would be a dedicated behavioral education facility with training services for pets and adopters, along with group play areas for socialization.

• There will be facilities for community events and educational programs promoting responsible pet ownership in a safe, inviting destination, allowing ARF to reach more potential adopters and set them up for success.

Our current facilities are operating at maximum capacity, and we cannot keep up with the community’s growing demands. There is an urgent need to relocate, expand, and proactively address root causes of pet abandonment.

• Our shelter in Jackson, MS, currently houses more than 300 dogs and 160 cats

• Chronic overcrowding compromises the quality of care we can provide these animals and our community

• Area crime rates have spiked our insurance costs, put staff and volunteers at risk, and discouraged prospective adopters from visiting the premises

• Ongoing water insecurity creates health and sanitation problems