Ruffian22: Thank you JFP for this story. ARF/MS has been saving the lives of hundreds of abused, neglected and unwanted animals since Katrina. Elizabeth (Pippa) Jackson has the welfare of the animals as her guiding principle and has worked (along with volunteers and the ARF Board members) tirelessly to build the Mayes Street property into a safe haven for animals no one wants. Not only that, work never ceases to find these animals homes--real, loving and permanent. When Pippa speaks of working with the community to hire from within, she means it and has done so. When she speaks of a training facility for therapy dogs that can live useful, productive and meaningful lives while contributing to others, she means it. When she offers boarding for the pets of our women and men in uniform who may otherwise have to relinquish their pets, she means it. Our focus should be on how to unite this community behind these efforts and work just as tirelessly to prevent the cruelty, abuse and the hundreds of unwanted puppies (who turn into street animals who are terrified and starving). ARF MS is part of the solution and not part of the problem.
shelbysifers: Amen! It is both sickening and saddening to see people "protesting" something that benefits our communities and our animal friends. I hope that ARF's presence in Jackson will help to inspire a greater community love for animals and put us on a more progressive track.
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