For Lee County, Mississippi Residents:

🐾 What to Do If You Find a Stray Animal in Lee County, Mississippi

Click Here: Lee County Ordinance

Step 1: Hold the Pet for 5 Days (Required by Law)
Under Mississippi Code § 41-53-11, if you find a stray dog or cat, you must hold the animal for at least 5 full days and make a reasonable effort to find the owner. During this time, you cannot rehome, adopt out, or surrender the animal unless directed by an authorized shelter or animal control.

Step 2: Try to Locate the Owner
Check for identification tags or a collar. Post to local lost-and-found pet groups like “Tupelo Lost and Found Pets” on Facebook, PawBoost.com, Nextdoor, and Craigslist Tupelo. You should also contact nearby vet clinics, animal control, and the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society to report the found pet.
Tupelo-Lee Humane Society (TLHS)
Phone: (662) 205-4221
Website: https://tupeloleehumane.org
Address: 2795 Cliff Gookin Blvd, Tupelo, MS 38801

Step 3: Have the Pet Scanned for a Microchip
You can bring the animal to any local veterinarian in Lee County or contact PopFix to schedule a free microchip scan. If a chip is found, efforts will be made to contact the registered owner. If no chip is found or it leads nowhere, continue to the next step.
PopFix Contact

Step 4: Need Help Feeding the Pet?
Tupelo-Lee Humane Society operates a Pet Food Bank to support residents caring for strays. Visit TLHS during business hours—no appointment is needed. Just let staff know you’re caring for a stray and need assistance.

Step 5: Need Transportation Assistance?
If you are unable to get to Tupelo-Lee Humane Society to pick up food, or if you need help transporting the animal to a veterinarian for spay or neuter surgery, PopFix may be able to help. While transportation is not guaranteed, we’ll do our best to assist based on your location and volunteer availability.
PopFix Contact

Step 6: After 5 Days, Contact TLHS for Intake
If no owner has been found and the microchip doesn’t help, contact TLHS to report the animal. They will likely place the pet on a waitlist for intake. As a no-kill shelter, they are often full, so contacting them early is important.
TLHS
Phone: (662) 205-4221
Website: https://tupeloleehumane.org

Step 7: Prevent Future Litters — Spay or Neuter the Pet
If you’re continuing to care for the animal, sterilization should be your next priority—especially if the animal may be pregnant. Spaying or neutering is one of the most effective ways to reduce overpopulation and promote better long-term health for the pet.

Step 8: Need Help Covering the Cost of Surgery?
PopFix offers a Sterilization Subscription Program for Lee County residents:
– $20 per week for 12 weeks ($240 total)
– Includes spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, and microchipping
– Services are performed by a licensed local veterinarian
Apply or learn more here

Step 9: Still Need Help?
If you can’t afford the subscription plan or need further guidance, please reach out to us. We’ll review your situation and help you explore other available low-cost options or support services.
PopFix Contact

Step 10: Ready for Adoption? Let’s Get the Word Out

Once the animal has been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and is healthy enough for adoption, PopFix will be happy to post the pet on our adoption platforms. While we do not have the ability to house animals at this time, we will do everything we can to help find the pet a permanent home. Now is also a great time to reach out to other local rescues to explore additional placement opportunities.

Thank You for Helping
Your compassion is making a real difference in the lives of animals in Lee County. Whether you’re holding a pet safely, arranging transport, or pursuing sterilization and adoption, you’re helping build a safer, more humane future for our community.