NATCHEZ — With hundreds of little tummies to fill, the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society has big dinner orders every day.

And sometimes the cupbards are dangerously close to being bare.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society works year round to raise funds to house, feed and care for the hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and other animals that call the shelter home even for just a little while.

NACHS board member Teresa Busby said the organization uses every penny in its budget to provide the basics for their furry friends.

“We are full of the most loving, loyal and sweet animals,” Busby said. “When someone leaves here with a shelter animal, they can know they are leaving with a new addition to their family that is going to love them forever.”

Busby said since dogs and cats are common Christmas requests, she urges people to visit the shelter first. She said with all the dogs and cats vying for attention, people are sure to find exactly what they seek.

“I’m partial to mixed-breed dogs, but we get our fair share of pure breeds, too,” Busby said. “There is a good chance we are going to have exactly what people are looking for.”

And Busby is sure the community has exactly what the shelter animals are looking for — love and attention.

“They know they have been rescued,” Busby said. “When you adopt an animal from our shelter, you save a life.”

Finding homes for the animals is the ultimate goal, but while the animals are at the shelter they have needs that have to be met.

And that is where the community can step in and help, Busby said.

The shelter is in need of Purina dog, cat, puppy and kitten food, canned puppy and kitten food, cleaning supplies like bleach and towels, newspapers, inexpensive cat litter and monetary donations to cover utility bills and shelter maintenance.

Busby said the humane society asks for Purina foods so the dogs and cats don’t have to switch brands of foods and risk upsetting stomachs.

Donations can be dropped off at the humane society between 2 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 549, Natchez, MS 39121.

The organization is also raising money to build a larger, state-of-the art facility to replace the small, crumbling Liberty Road facility. Donations for the building fund should be mailed to P.O. Box 332, Natchez, MS 39121.

NACHS is hosting one of its biggest annual fundraisers, A Cowboy Christmas, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Smith, 235 Foster Mound Road. Tickets are a $25 donation and that includes all the food you can eat.

“Nan Garrison cooks all the food, and its amazing that we never run out,” Busby said.

There are two cash bars, and everyone in encouraged to wear their western wear.

Ticket sales and all the proceeds from the event benefit the operating fund of the NACHS.

Al donations to the NACHS and the building fund are tax deductible.