this is the 18th in a series of stories highlighting charitable giving and the agencies in need in the Miss-Lou.

NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society is always in need, but now even more than ever.

The tornado that blew through the area Tuesday, Dec. 9 caused approximately $1,900 worth of damage to the fencing of the outdoor dog pens, Director Pat Cox said.

Humane Society Board Member Nan Garrison said three trees were blown down by the tornado, too.

“The dogs were soaking wet, they were freezing to death. They were absolutely terrified, their houses were crushed,” she said.

Garrison said she and other board members were “very, very upset” not just because of the emotional toll, but now the financial toll the damage will take.

“This is just not in our budget,” she said.

The humane society’s budget is already stretched.

Getting approximately $35,000 from the city and county governments, the humane society has to supplement the rest of it’s $140,000 a year budget through donations and fundraisers.

“We have some wonderful supporters and I cannot say that enough,” Cox said. “We would not still be able to be here if it hadn’t been for the community helping us.”

She said any kind of donation is needed. Pet food — wet and dry — is one of the major needs.

Also the shelter is in need of basic supplies like cleaning solution and paper towels.

“We use thousands of paper towels,” Cox said.

And monetary donations are key to operations.

The humane society’s budget goes toward the salaries of its three employees, veterinarian bills, food supplies and medicine.

“Medicine has increased quite a bit,” she said.

The bills never stop piling up, either, for the only animal shelter in the county.

“We are packed right now. We have not had a let up. This has been the worst year we’ve had since I can remember,” Cox said.

And the humane society isn’t just serving the county.

“We’re getting a lot from across the river. We always have,” she said.

On top of fixing storm damage and daily operations, the humane society is also raising funds to build a new building.

Cox said right now the building is just too small and dilapidated.

So far, roughly $200,000 has been raised, but the total cost is $275,000.

Cox said donations can be made toward the shelter’s general operations at P.O. Box 549, Natchez, MS, 39121 or the building fund at P.O. Box 332, Natchez, MS, 39121.

For more information call the humane society at 601-442-4001, or Cox can be reached at home at 601-442-7890.