The annual meeting of the general membership of the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society scheduled for Monday, Nov. 28 is rapidly approaching.

Anyone whose membership is current as of Oct. 28, 2016 will be eligible to vote during the election of directors. If you are not a current member and wish to join in time to vote, you may submit your dues to NACHS, P.O. Box 546, Natchez, MS 39121 or in person at the new shelter located at 475 Liberty Road. The membership form is available on our website at natchezpetadoptions.org.

There are four positions open on the board commencing January 2017. The length of term is three years. If you are interested in becoming a director, please contact the nominations committee by email at natchezpetadoptions@gmail.com or call Deanne Tanksley at 601-446-6681. Director nominations will not be taken from the floor during the meeting. An alternate way to have your name placed on the ballot is to submit a petition signed by at least 25 NACHS members. Those submitting a petition will have their name added to the ballot. Your petition must be filed with the secretary by Monday, Nov. 1, 2016. The address for submitting your petition is NACHS, P.O. Box 549, Natchez, MS 39121. You can find a list of current members on the website.

In other news, we are going to increase our adoption fees this November. The new adoption fee for puppies and dogs will be $75. The adoption fee for kittens and cats is increasing to $50. This increase will aid us in covering some of the costs we incur with each animal we take. If you look at what we do for the animals, you will see this is still a wonderful bargain over taking a “free” pet advertised. Your adoption fee includes worming, age appropriate immunizations and boosters, rabies immunization if old enough, spay or neuter services and initial heartworm protection. This is in addition to the daily care they receive. Unlike many other shelters, NACHS does not have a maximum period of time we keep animals. We are working towards being a no-kill facility for healthy, non-aggressive pets. To achieve that goal, means we are keeping animals for longer periods of time, often months, and this greatly increases the amount of money the care of an individual requires. If you are thinking about getting a pet, remember the fees will increase in November.

Please take care of your pets — spay and neuter. Lastly, adopt rather than shop. Thank you for your support both in the past and in the future; the animals are dependent on you.
Judith Curran is a Natchez-Adams County Humane Society board member.