ASPCA & Petfinder.com Actively Seeking Placement for Approximately 250 Homeless Dogs & Cats Following their removal from Overcrowded Mississippi Shelter

NEW YORK--Following the removal of now over 400 dogs and cats from an overcrowded animal shelter in Clarksdale, Miss. on Sunday, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has teamed up with Petfinder.com to seek placement for the neglected animals.

Under the authority and request of the city of Clarksdale, Miss., the ASPCA dispatched its field investigations and response team Sunday morning to assist in the removal of hundreds of dogs and cats from the City of Clarksdale Animal Shelter. The ASPCA is also working with local authorities to establish a temporary shelter for the animals, which included 40 cats and approximately 385 small and large-breed dogs.

Today, the Atlanta Humane Society is transporting approximately 100 dogs to Georgia, where they will eventually be placed for adoption.

Dr. Phil Bushby, a faculty member at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, is assisting local veterinarians in completing assessments for the remaining dogs and cats that still need placement. The three local veterinarians that have been assessing animals over the past two days, are Dr. Andrea Marble, Animal Medical Clinic; Dr. Jody Swartzfarger, Lawndale Pet Hospital; and Dr. Wayne Adams, Adams Vet Clinic.

Tim Rickey, the ASPCA's Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response, said many of the animals have medical conditions, including mange, as well as injuries and bite wounds from living in communal, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions.  The dogs and cats were living in a space designed for up to 60.

Agencies assisting the ASPCA on scene include In Defense of Animals, the Mississippi Animal Rescue League and the Mississippi Animal Response Team.