Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue

09/30/2026

The first Puppy Poker Run gave us something to build on and we’re already getting started on year two! 🐾🏍️

With only about three months to organize our first event, we’re thankful for everyone who helped make it a success. Now we have time to grow it, bring sponsors on board early, and find a starting location with more room for riders, vendors, and activities.

We’d love to welcome back our original stops while exploring ideas that make the route even better for riders and participating businesses.

Want to be part of next year’s event? We’re looking for sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and potential host locations. Message Union County Animal Shelter and Rescue and help us make the second annual Puppy Poker Run one to remember!

09/29/2026

🐾 SHOULD NEW ALBANY & UNION COUNTY TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT RESPONSIBLE BREEDING?

One of the biggest challenges animal rescues face is the number of unwanted and unplanned litters entering our communities every year.

UCASR has started researching how other Mississippi communities address responsible breeding and animal overpopulation.

For example, some Mississippi cities use breeder permits, intact-animal permits, litter limits, residential animal limits, and spay/neuter programs as part of their animal-control policies.

We want to learn more about what works, what doesn’t, what is legally available to communities like ours, and what local residents think.

Some of the ideas we are researching include:

• Breeder registration and permitting
• Reasonable limits on the number of litters produced each year
• Low-cost spay and neuter programs
• Programs addressing repeated unwanted litters
• Responsible residential animal limits
• Better tracking of animal overpopulation and shelter intake

Our goal is simple: fewer unwanted animals, fewer abandoned dogs and cats, and fewer animals ultimately needing rescue.

This is the beginning of a community conversation, not a finished proposal.

What do you think is contributing most to animal overpopulation in New Albany and Union County, and what solutions would you like to see researched?

— Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue

09/29/2026

🐾 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: OUTREACH COORDINATOR 🐾

Union County Animal Shelter and Rescue is looking for a dedicated volunteer to serve as our Outreach Coordinator.

We need someone who loves animals, enjoys working with people, and wants to help us build stronger relationships throughout Union County.

As our Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, you would help:

🐶 Build relationships with local businesses, schools, churches, organizations, and community members
🐱 Help coordinate community outreach programs and events
📣 Promote UCASR events, fundraisers, programs, and our mission
🤝 Recruit and engage volunteers and community partners
📱 Assist with social media and community communications
🎉 Represent Union County Animal Shelter and Rescue at community events
❤️ Help us build support for the future of animal welfare in Union County

We’re looking for someone who is friendly, dependable, organized, outgoing, creative, and comfortable communicating with individuals and groups.

IMPORTANT: This is currently a VOLUNTEER position. There is no salary or hourly compensation. We are looking for someone who genuinely wants to get involved and help us grow.

This is an opportunity to become an important part of what we are building for Union County. Every relationship, volunteer, fundraiser, partnership, and conversation helps move us closer to better resources and a stronger future for animals in our community.

📩 Interested in volunteering as our Outreach Coordinator?

Send Union County Animal Shelter and Rescue a private message with a little information about yourself, your experience, and why you would like to become involved.

You can also email [email protected].

Help us build something Union County can be proud of.

09/27/2026

NEW ALBANY RESIDENTS * KNOW WHAT YOUR CITY ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICE COVERS

We have had several questions about what Animal Control inside the City of New Albany is actually responsible for, so we went directly to the City’s animal-control ordinance.

This is important: New Albany Animal Control is NOT limited to dogs and cats.

Under Section 6-42 of the New Albany animal-control ordinance, the Animal Control Officer has a duty to seize and impound “all animals, whether domesticated or undomesticated,” when those animals are in violation of the City’s animal ordinances.

The ordinance specifically provides for Animal Control to address:

• Animals running loose or trespassing
• Stray animals that need to be impounded
• Vicious or dangerous animals
• Feral or vicious dogs and cats
• Seriously injured animals
• Seriously diseased animals
• Animals creating a public nuisance or health hazard
• Rabbits
• Squirrels
• Snakes
• Other domesticated or undomesticated animals covered by the ordinance
• Animal-control ordinance violations and enforcement

The ordinance specifically states that animals found loose or trespassing are to be taken up and impounded, with reasonable attempts made to locate their owner.

WHAT HOURS IS ANIMAL CONTROL SUPPOSED TO BE AVAILABLE?

This one is very clear.

Section 6-37 requires the City’s independent Animal Control contractor to be:

AVAILABLE BY CELL PHONE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

The same section says the City provides the contractor’s cell phone or pays for it.

The ordinance also requires the contractor to provide, among other things, a suitable animal-control vehicle, large and small humane traps, appropriate capture equipment, kennel facilities, food for animals in custody, veterinary supplies/medications and complete records of animals taken into custody.

WHO DO YOU CALL?

We have not found a current direct Animal Control cellphone number published on the City of New Albany’s official website. The City currently publishes:

📞 New Albany City Hall: 662-534-1010

📞 New Albany Police Department non-emergency: 662-534-2222

🚨 For an immediate threat to human life or another true emergency, call 911.

Because the ordinance requires the Animal Control contractor to be available by cellphone 24/7, residents who contact the City regarding an animal-control matter can also ask to be connected with or given the current contact information for the City’s Animal Control Officer.

One more important clarification: Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue is not the City of New Albany Animal Control contractor. We are sharing this information so residents know what services already exist within the City and who is responsible for providing them.

Our goal is simple: help people know who to call, what services are available, and what responsibilities are already established by ordinance.

Please save and share this post. It may help someone the next time there is a loose, injured, dangerous or nuisance animal inside the New Albany city limits.

— Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue

09/26/2026

What a day for Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue!

Today’s Puppy Poker Run was about so much more than motorcycles. it was about community coming together to support a mission and help us continue working toward something Union County desperately needs.

A huge thank you to PetSmart, Mugshots, Moore’s Feed Store, and Tractor Supply for welcoming our riders and supporting today’s event. We also want to thank the Union County Sheriff’s Department and the Pontotoc Police Department for their support and for helping make today possible.

Most importantly, thank you to every single rider, passenger, volunteer, board member, donor, sponsor, and supporter who showed up today. Seeing all those motorcycles lined up and people giving their time to support Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue meant more than we can put into words.

Days like today remind us why we started this.

We are building something for Union County, and we couldn’t do it without this community behind us.

From all of us at Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue — THANK YOU.

And a HUGE shoutout to POPFiXms! Thank you for coming out, supporting Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue, and being part of such a great day. Your support, time, and involvement truly meant a lot to us, and we are incredibly grateful to have you standing behind our mission. 🐾❤️

PopFix . Thank you for helping make the Puppy Poker Run a success!

09/26/2026

09/25/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DAY, UNION COUNTY! 🐾🏍️🚨

The UCASR PUPPY POKER RUN is finally here, and we are ready to make some noise for the animals of Union County!

📅 Saturday, September 26
📝 Registration: 9:00–10:30 AM
🏍️ Kickstands Up: 11:00 AM
🏁 Last Bike / Cards In: 3:00 PM
📍 Start & Finish: New Albany Tennis Courts

💲 $30 Rider
💲 $15 Passenger

We’ve got a great ride lined up through:
🐾 PetSmart Tupelo
🐾 Mugshots Tupelo
🐾 Moore’s Feed Store in Pontotoc
🐾 Tractor Supply New Albany
🐾 Back to the Tennis Courts for the final stop!

We’ll also have UCASR shirts available and our biker patches for only $5!

This is more than just a ride. Every person who shows up, every bike that rolls out, and every dollar raised helps us move one step closer to giving the homeless and abandoned animals of Union County the future they deserve.

🔥 BIKERS — SHOW UP AND SHOW OUT!
🔥 NON-RIDERS — COME HANG OUT AND SUPPORT US!
🔥 EVERYBODY — SHARE THIS POST TONIGHT!

Let’s pack that parking lot tomorrow morning.

RIDE. PLAY. SUPPORT. SAVE LIVES. 🐾

09/23/2026

🐾🏍️ PUPPY POKER RUN FOOD UPDATE! 🏍️🐾

We have a small change to our food lineup for the Puppy Poker Run.

Unfortunately for us, Mr. Taco will not be able to make it, but for a pretty awesome reason his wife is expecting their baby any day now! ❤️ We completely understand and would much rather him be able to be there with his family for such an important moment. We wish them a safe delivery and all the best as they welcome their new little one!

But don’t worry we’re still going to have some GOOD food! 🔥

We’re excited to welcome Southern Squeal to the Puppy Poker Run! They’ll be bringing BBQ plates, nachos, sandwiches, fries, baked beans, potato salad, slaw, onion rings, and their Boogie BBQ Cup loaded with all the good stuff. 🤤

Come hungry, ride with us, grab some food, and help support Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue!

📅 September 26
🏍️ Registration: 9:00–10:30 AM
🔥 Kickstands up: 11:00 AM
🏁 Last bike: 3:00 PM

Please help us give Southern Squeal a big UCASR welcome!

09/22/2026

🏍️🐾 PUPPY POKER RUN — SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26! 🐾🏍️

We’re getting closer, and we’ll have official Puppy Poker Run merchandise available at the event!

🔥 Biker Patches — $5 each
👕 UCASR Shirts — $25 donation

📍 Start/Finish: Tennis Courts
🕘 Registration: 9:00–10:30 AM
🏍️ Kickstands up: 11:00 AM
⏰ Last bike in: 3:00 PM

Come ride with us, grab a patch or shirt, and help support Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue. Every purchase and donation helps us continue working toward a better future for animals in Union County.

Ride for a cause. Play for paws. 🐾❤️

09/20/2026

🐾 A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS! 🏍️❤️

The 1st Annual Puppy Poker Run is coming up Saturday, September 26th, and we could not make this happen without the incredible businesses, organizations, and individuals who have stepped up to support Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue.

We want to recognize and thank:

🐾 New Albany Animal Clinic
🐾 Terry Simmons
🐾 U.S. Lawns – Northeast Mississippi
🐾 PetSmart
🐾 Tractor Supply Co.
🐾 Mugshots Grill & Bar
🐾 Moore’s Feed Store
🐾 All-Star Chevrolet – Olive Branch
🐾 Union County Cycles

Whether you’re sponsoring, hosting a stop, donating, or simply helping us spread the word, every bit of support matters.

This is what community is all about people and businesses coming together to help animals in need right here in our area. ❤️🐶

Please help us show these sponsors some love and support the businesses that support us!

📅 Saturday, September 26th
🏍️ 1st Annual Puppy Poker Run
🐾 Benefiting Union County Animal Shelter & Rescue

We can’t wait to see everyone there!



And don’t forget UCASR T-shirts are still available! A $25 donation gets you a shirt, with proceeds helping support our mission right here in Union County. ❤️🐾

Then this Saturday, September 26th, it’s finally here the 1st Annual Puppy Poker Run!

Come ride with us, support a great cause, grab a shirt, and help us make our very first run one to remember.

Please share and help us get the word out! 🐾🏍️