Oliver, a 6-year-old small mixed breed, had a rough start in life.

His earliest known whereabouts were as a stray near Starkville, Mississippi, where he was found with a littermate and taken to Oktibbeha County Humane Society (OCHS).

At three months, both pups were part of a 1,100-mile transport with an overnight layover in Virginia to their final destination the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City with 18 other canine traveling companions. Once in New York, the celebrated cargo was met with great fanfare.

Oliver, formerly known as Curry, was adopted by Stefano A. the day after his arrival.

“He’s been glued to me ever since,” says Stefano, who can’t imagine his life without Oliver.

Since 2016, the ASPCA Animal Relocation Program has transported more than 18,000 animals from OCHS to shelters where they have greater opportunities to find homes. Using both air and land transportation, we move more homeless animals than any other organization and partners with “source” shelters — like OCHS — in areas with high homeless pet populations to transport cats and dogs to “destination” shelters in communities where adoptable animals are in high demand.

OCHS Animal Support Center by the ASPCA

The Animal Support Center, which was built in part through $900,000 in grant funding from the ASPCA, officially opened April 8 and will help increase and improve OCHS’s capacity to care for animals in Starkville and the shelter’s 17-county service area. The Animal Support Center’s high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter and relocation efforts will impact thousands of animals in the state by reducing the number of unwanted litters within the community, decreasing animals’ length of stay at shelters in the region, and improving access to low-cost spay and neuter procedures for pet owners.

The Center houses the OCHS Spay & Neuter Clinic, a stationary spay/neuter clinic for pet owners and shelter animals. The new Spay & Neuter Clinic will increase the shelter’s current spay/neuter capacity from 2,900 to 5,800 surgeries annually.

With shelter animals in Mississippi experiencing increased lengths of stay due to ongoing capacity challenges and strained resources, the Center’s VanLandingham Kennel Facility will serve as a hub for the region’s shelter animals where they will receive temporary care in preparation for relocation to other shelters for adoption Through the VanLandingham Kennel Facility, OCHS will be able to increase the number of animals they can send on transports annually from 1,800 to 3,500.

“It’s not just about creating more space but building a stronger infrastructure to support the needs of the entire region,” says Michele Anderson, executive director of OCHS. “What sets us apart is the ability to do a lot with just a little. Our small staff and facility grew into a hub for animal welfare in our region, and we hope to build on that to help more animals and influence neighboring communities. We expect to see more positive outcomes for animals with our access to spay/neuter and relocation and hope to demonstrate what’s possible when we come together to tackle animal welfare challenges head-on.”

Why OCHS?

Despite operating in Mississippi, the state with the nation’s lowest median household income ($44,966) and highest poverty rate (18.8%). Michele says one-third of the county of 50,000 lives in poverty, and the region is a “resource desert.”

Yet, OCHS managed to increase its live release rate from 50% in 2009 to 90% in 2022.

“OCHS has consistently shown what dedication, relationship-building and collaboration can do to drive change, making them an organization we wanted to invest in,” says Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO. “They have extended their impact by serving as a relocation hub and a source for low-cost spay/neuter to 21 shelters and rescues throughout a 17-county region of Northeast Mississippi. Thousands will have access to spay/neuter and wellness services at a reduced cost.”

L to R: Oliver, with OCHS volunteer Ashlynn McCain, at the beginning of his journey to New York City before leaving OCHS; with ASPCA Adoption Center vice president Joel Lopez; playing upon his arrival to the ASPCA.

“Expanded transport capacity will further increase positive outcomes for this community’s vulnerable animals,” says Karen Walsh, senior director of Animal Relocation for the ASPCA who helped broker the partnership with OCHS eight years ago. “Relocation is the number one lifesaver for the majority of these animals.”

“Transport and spay/neuter are two priorities for our organization because they are effective tools in reducing the number of animals at risk for euthanasia,” Bershadker adds. “OCHS shares that vision and is an important partner because our priorities are aligned.”

Grateful for a Partnership

It’s hard for Stefano to envision Oliver running loose as a stray in rural Mississippi before ending up at OCHS and on a transport to New York.

Oliver in Miami.

“He saved my life,” Stefano says. “I adopted Oliver at one of my saddest moments, and he gave me a reason to get up and get out every day.”

In 2020, Stefano and Oliver moved to Miami to be closer to family, Oliver assimilated quickly, learning to love the beach, parks and dog-friendly restaurants. Oliver accompanies Stefano practically everywhere they can go by car or plane, and since their move has traveled to Tampa, North Carolina, Virginia, Orlando, the Florida Keys and back to New York.

Oliver and his canine buddy, Mia, left, and at home with Stefano.

Stefano, a newly certified fitness instructor, is contemplating living in New York again. If he and Oliver go back, this time, Stefano will provide the transportation.

“The way the ASPCA transports animals is phenomenal,” Stefano says. “Oliver’s made my life so much better and continues to do so. I mean, I would have never had him if the ASPCA didn’t have that partnership.”