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HSSM employs an open adoption process. If you are local to the Gulfport, MS area, you can come in to meet our adoptable any time during business hours Tuesday through Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. We have Adoption Counselors on hand to assist you in making a good match for your family. If you have other dogs at home, you are encouraged to bring them for a meet and greet to ensure a good fit. Once you have chosen your perfect new pet, you will need a photo ID to complete the adoption paperwork. If you are an out-of-town adopter, we list some of our pets on PetFinder who are available for transport. We have an online application process that is explained in each of our Out-of-Town pet listings. Our address (physical & mailing) is 2615 25th Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501. Thank you for your interest in adopting a Southern shelter pet! Our Transport Team will review your application and respond during business hours. The Humane Society of South Mississippi services is the sole animal shelter servicing one of the largest counties in Mississippi. Each year HSSM cares for over 5,000 animals. Oftentimes our open-admissions status in a community with a disproportionately high number of homeless pets leads to needless euthanasia of adoptable pets. We have vowed to change these statistics, but we need YOUR help. Here is a list of our Frequently Asked Questions to give you a basic understanding of the adoption and transport process. Frequently Asked Questions Why do we transport our shelter pets out of state? Pet transport is a lifesaving way for us to transfer adoptable pets from over-populated areas to regions of the U.S. where demand for adoptable pets is high. The ultimate goal of pet transport operations is to address the imbalance in the supply and demand of pets nationwide. When will my new pet be transported to me? Transports are arranged for specific dates, typically within 1-3 weeks of approving your application. Adopters will meet at a designated meeting spot to pick up their new companions. HSSM provides a transport weekly up the East Coast and we often partner with other rescues and organizations travelling to other locations. Transport Fees must be paid at the time of reservation. Where will I pick up my new pet? There are designated drop-off locations along the route where adopters will pick up their pets. These locations are in the group chat description for each location. They are in parking lots of locations such as a Petsmart, hotel, truck stop, etc. What if after receiving our new pet we decide he/she is not the right match for our family? HSSM is not required to regain ownership of the pet or provide transport back to our facility. We also do not have partners in your state willing to accept ownership of the pet should you become unable to care for him/her. It will be your responsibility to rehome the pet and properly vet any potential new owners to ensure they will provide humane and loving care to the pet once ownership is transferred. What does the adoption fee cover? All of our adult dogs are spayed/neutered, fully vaccinated, microchipped and have received regular flea/tick treatment while they’ve been under our care. Puppies are vaccinated to their current age, microchipped and given flea/tick treatment. If HSSM transports the animal the transport fee is included. Adopters will receive all records at time of adoption. The adoption is not official and animals will not be held until the adoption contract is signed and fees have been paid. Do you screen potential adopters? Adopters are asked to fill out an application which asks for vet and personal references. A background check may also be conducted before the adoption is finalized. We want every pet and family to be a good match, and do our best to match dogs to families. HSSM reserves the right to refuse adoption to anyone for any reason.