Dorothy Ricks Community Cat Fund
|
Dorothy Ricks was an unwavering force for good in Hattiesburg, partnering with Southern Pines for over a decade to help improve the lives of homeless, hurting, and in need animals. Whether it was assisting clinic clients in our front lobby, writing thank you notes to donors, pitching in at shelter adoption events or clinic events, and so much more. She was a staunch advocate for animal welfare, a dependable team member, and an encouraging cheerleader for our staff. Her passing was a huge loss to our local animal welfare community and we will greatly miss her.
While Dorothy loved all animals, community cats were her true passion. To memorialize our friend Dorothy's love and work with Hattiesburg community cats, we've decided to create the Dorothy Ricks Community Cat Fund--a special fund designed to help assist with the cost of fixing community cats. With this fund, we hope to honor her memory by continuing her legacy of love for community cats and her commitment to the mission of Southern Pines, and to continue her legacy of love for her community. |
|
how it works
The Dorothy Ricks Community Cat Fund will help to offset a portion of the surgery fees of all outdoor community cat surgeries, as well as any incidental charges that may occur, and lowers the cost of community cat surgeries to just $35 per cat for the client.
It is our hope that this fund will carry on Dorothy's passion for community cats and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), and inspire community-driven TNR efforts. That it will help ease the overpopulation in our area, foster a healthier outdoor cat community, and create a more harmonious co-existence between the humans and their kitty neighbors.
Important Notes:
It is our hope that this fund will carry on Dorothy's passion for community cats and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), and inspire community-driven TNR efforts. That it will help ease the overpopulation in our area, foster a healthier outdoor cat community, and create a more harmonious co-existence between the humans and their kitty neighbors.
Important Notes:
- No location restrictions, this fund is available to any and all counties.
- Cat must be in a humane live trap.
- Cat must be ear tipped during spay/neuter surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
IS THIS DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Southern Pines Animal Shelter is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
IS MY DONATION SECURE?
Yes. This website use industry-standard SSL (secure socket layer) technology to protect your information and provide a safe and secure environment to process online donations. The Southern Pines Organization will not sell, trade or share your personal information.
CAN I DONATE BY MAIL?
Yes! To donate by mail, please send your gift to: Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic at PO Box 2021, Hattiesburg, MS 39403.
CAN I SET UP AN AUTOMATIC MONTHLY DONATION?
To give monthly, simply click on the "Monthly" box when filling out the form.
ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED?
Yes! We have a wide variety of ways that you can make a difference for pets in need. Please contact volunteerclinic@sopines.org for more information on how to get started.
HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?
For questions about your donation or our programs, please contact us at dsnell@sopines.org or at 601.544.5678. Thank you.
Southern Pines Animal Shelter is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. To claim a donation as a deduction on your U.S. taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record. We'll send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
IS MY DONATION SECURE?
Yes. This website use industry-standard SSL (secure socket layer) technology to protect your information and provide a safe and secure environment to process online donations. The Southern Pines Organization will not sell, trade or share your personal information.
CAN I DONATE BY MAIL?
Yes! To donate by mail, please send your gift to: Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic at PO Box 2021, Hattiesburg, MS 39403.
CAN I SET UP AN AUTOMATIC MONTHLY DONATION?
To give monthly, simply click on the "Monthly" box when filling out the form.
ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED?
Yes! We have a wide variety of ways that you can make a difference for pets in need. Please contact volunteerclinic@sopines.org for more information on how to get started.
HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU?
For questions about your donation or our programs, please contact us at dsnell@sopines.org or at 601.544.5678. Thank you.
"Dorothy has been a force to be reckoned with as she helped Southern Pines and our community meet the needs of animals and people in our community, and she has volunteered thousands of hours with our organization. She was the first one to arrive at our rabies clinics for the last 12 years. She coordinated our intake at the front door for 10 years before COVID. She booked appointments before we had the staff to do so, and folded laundry 2-3 days a week. Dorothy helped those who forgot their glasses fill out their paperwork and those who couldn't pay for part of their pets care by paying for it or helping identify funding to meet their needs. She has helped clients get home when their car broke down or they ran out of gas. She would occasionally take animals back to their homes when their person had trouble getting back to for discharge. She has met people when they got lost so they could follow her to the clinic and sat with owners while they were anxious about their pet having surgery.
Dorothy was most passionate about community cats. She fed a colony near her home and helped Trap Neuter are Return cats all over our community. She would join the Southern Pines Staff as we traveled to different communities to trap colonies of cats and fix them. She would often be the person who would go check the traps in the middle of the night. Dorothy was an incredible advocate for animals in need. She worked so hard to make our community a better place for the people and pets who live here, and she is very missed."
~ Dr. Alicia Fortenberry, Medical Director, Southern Pines Organization
Dorothy was most passionate about community cats. She fed a colony near her home and helped Trap Neuter are Return cats all over our community. She would join the Southern Pines Staff as we traveled to different communities to trap colonies of cats and fix them. She would often be the person who would go check the traps in the middle of the night. Dorothy was an incredible advocate for animals in need. She worked so hard to make our community a better place for the people and pets who live here, and she is very missed."
~ Dr. Alicia Fortenberry, Medical Director, Southern Pines Organization
" Dorothy's passion for and commitment to the amazing community cats of Hattiesburg was inspiring. She is so missed, by us and by all of the cats she loved so well."
~ Ashlynd K.
~ Ashlynd K.
