How a community deals with the least among us tells a lot about that community.

Take for instance, how communities deal with stray and unwanted animal populations.

Most communities have some sort of animal shelter to care for and deal with unwanted pet populations.

Dealing with those feral animals is not easy, and it is an expensive proposition, requiring much attention and manpower.

It is an endeavor that is worth the cost, however, as unwanted animals can spread disease and affect the health of the community.

Some communities, are forced to euthanize many of the unwanted animals because of overcrowding, but not the Natchez Adams County Humane Society shelter, which does a great job of caring for our community’s unwanted pet population and maintains a no-kill status.

Such operation is no accident. It comes from a great effort by many dedicated people.

Robert Greene, a longtime NACHS board member and volunteer, is one of those people.

Greene, who recently stopped by my office to discuss a story about the shelter’s latest fundraising effort, said he has devoted a good part of his life to caring for unwanted animals.

Greene told me he has always had pets and has always felt a need to take care of unwanted animals. He was proud to say the NACHS shelter is a no-kill shelter, which means the shelter does not euthanize animals because of overcrowding.

Greene pointed out, however, that from time to time, the shelter must euthanize animals for health reasons, including puppies carrying the parvo virus that could spread to others in the shelter.

As long as no more than 10 percent of the animals at the shelter are euthanized, however, the shelter can maintain its no-kill status, Lena McKnight, shelter manager said.

In order to keep from euthanizing animals, the shelter works with facilities throughout the United States, to transport animals to other facilities where they are more likely to find homes.

Spay and neuter programs also are important to help control the unwanted pet population, and every animal that leaves the facility is spayed or neutered as well as receiving all the required vaccinations.

The veterinary care, feeding and shelter are paid for in part through adoption fees, but that is not enough to cover the costs.

Therefore, the shelter is constantly taking donations and hosting fundraising efforts, including the current fundraising effort of raffling a Cub Cadet ATV Challenger 700 with the help of Peddler’s Outdoor Home & Hearth.

McKnight said the shelter’s annual operating budget is about $300,000 and the shelter receives only approximately $20,000 per year each from the City of Natchez and Adams County, which accounts for approximately two months of operation.

In addition to the monetary donations, the shelter also depends on the help of volunteers to maintain the facility and to serve as foster homes for pets while they await forever homes.

NACHS’s shelter is a shining example of the generosity of the Natchez and Adams County community.

It brings to mind another Bible verse: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” Matthew 25:40.

Greene, McKnight and countless community volunteers are doing their part to help the least among us in our community and they deserve our help and support.

Scott Hawkins is editor of The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at 601-445-3540 or scott.hawkins@natchezdemocrat.com.