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Puppies look out of a kennel at the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society shelter. (File / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Spring and early summer are kitten season and Natchez-Adams County Humane Society administrators say that puts a strain on the shelter.

“We are crowded now,” said Lena McKnight, shelter manager for the NACHS.

In addition to kitten season, big dog adoptions also are slow, McKnight said, so to help alleviate some of the crowding, the shelter is currently offering discounted prices on pet adoptions.

Big dog adoption fees are normally $75 but are now $50 and kitten adoptions are normally $50 but are now $35. The fees include vaccinations, microchips, spay and neuter — all of the costs for people to take the pets home.

“We will keep the special rates going until we see a give on the shelter crowding,” McKnight said.

Operating the shelter no-kill shelter is an expensive endeavor, costing $20,000 to $25,000 per month, McKnight said, most of which comes from private donations, but Natchez and Adams County each provide $20,000 per year.

“Last year’s operating budget was around $300,000,” McKnight said.

To meet the budgetary needs, fundraising is a never-ending process for the shelter and currently the shelter is working with Peddler’s Outdoor Hearth & Home to raffle off a Cub Cadet Challenger 700 ATV with camouflage wrapping, a windshield and winch.

Tickets are $20 each or three for $50.

“We’re getting a lot of attention,” said Brittany Daggett, a manager at Peddler’s, where the vehicle has been on display since June 1. “We’ve sold several hundred tickets.”

Tickets will be sold up until July 31 when the drawing will be conducted via a live Facebook feed, and organizers say they hope to sell 2,000 tickets

“We have to cover the cost of the Challenger itself,” McKnight said, “then whatever is left goes to the humane society.”

Tickets are available from NACHS board members, at the NACHS shelter, 475 Liberty Road, Natchez and at Peddler’s Outdoor Hearth & Home, 626 U.S. 61, Natchez.

For more information, contact the shelter at 601-442-4001 or Peddler’s at 601-445-0795.

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