NATCHEZ — Caring for the Miss-Lou’s stray animal population comes with a hefty price tag — $35,000 a month.

To keep the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society shelter’s doors open, NACHS depends heavily on the generosity of the local community, NACHS Director of Operations Sarah Wees said.

“We really couldn’t do it without community support,” she said. “We get about 12 percent of our annual budget from the City of Natchez and Adams County together, so we have to come up with the remaining 88 percent in order to keep the shelter open.”

The humane society receives support through fundraisers, adoptions and donations.

“It costs about $35,000 a month to keep the organizations running,” Wees said. “That’s everything from staff pay, food, the electric bill, everything. Financial donations are truly needed more than anything.”

The best way to financially contribute to the humane society is through its monthly pledge program, which automatically makes a donation to NACHS from a donor’s chosen payment method, Wees said.

A form to sign up for the monthly pledge program can be printed from the humane society’s website — natchezpetadoptions.org — or filled out at the shelter.

Forms should be dropped off at the shelter, 475 Liberty Road, or mailed to NACHS, P.O. Box 549, Natchez, MS 39121.

A community’s support of its humane society is vital to controlling the pet population, protecting pets from strays that might attack, preventing disease and assisting pet owners who need to rehome their pets, Wees said

While the holiday season is a popular time to adopt a pet as a gift for a loved one, Wees encourages anyone thinking about adopting a pet to carefully consider the responsibilities that come with adoption.

“People really need to make sure whoever wants a puppy or a kitten, or if they are considering adopting one for themselves, to realize it’s a commitment of many years of taking care of an animal.”

Supply donations needed at the NACHS main shelter and the quarantine shelter, which houses animals to be transported to out-of-town adoption programs, include:

-Inexpensive fleece blankets.

-New or used towels.

-Wet food and puppy and kitten chow food. Purina and Pedigree brands are preferred.

-Cat, kitten, dog and puppy toys. Rope toys and unstuffed toys are preferred for dogs.

-Non-clumping cat litter.

-Collars and leashes.

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at 475 Liberty Road.

The shelter’s hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

All other times are by appointment.

The shelter can be reached at 601-442-4001.

Adoptable pets and more information can be found online at natchezpetadoptions.org.