TUNICA, MS (abc24.com) - It's been a tough journey, but after three years of hard work the Tunica Humane Society is finally settled into its brand new home.
"From day one, we had a vision of what we wanted," says Sandy Williams, the director. "It was never an animal shelter, but just a great big home for a bunch of animals."
Animals that wouldn't have a home otherwise. The building is exactly what Williams wanted.
"Each dog has his own home," she tells abc24.com. "His own house, blanket, bed and kennel that feel like his."
Either Williams or the shelter's small group of dedicated volunteers play with the animals every day.
"As soon as we get here we open the doors and fresh air is flowing through the building," she says.
The dogs have more than an acre to run around, and they use it.
"You don't get that in your run of the mill shelters," Williams says. "We're proud of what we're doing here."
In the past, the dogs have suffered through extreme heat and cold. Now there are 50 indoor kennels keeping them out of the weather. There's also space inside. Lots of it.
Williams also says adoptions are up at the no kill shelter since they moved in.
"Having a destination shelter has increased our adoptions ten fold," she says. "It's just changed our world."
The shelter was paid for by large donations from Caesar's Entertainment and musician Rob Thomas' foundation, Sidewalk Angels.
They've got the nice new building, but the shelter still needs donations. Williams says money and good homes are the two things they can't get enough of.
