Update 01/05/2016
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work to stop the landslide and stabilize our shelter property. As we continue the first phase of this recovery, public safety is a top priority. For this reason we will remain closed to the public until further notice. We will continue to assess the progress and will update frequently as additional information about closures or changes in hours of availability becomes available.
We will continue to receive animals from Animal Control and Law Enforcement Agencies. If you are looking for a lost pet, please email info@southernpinesanimalshelter so that we may help you further.
Thank you for your continued support, and we will keep you updated as we enter the next phases on our mission to save the shelter. With your help, we will continue to make a difference for animals in need and save more lives than ever before.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work to stop the landslide and stabilize our shelter property. As we continue the first phase of this recovery, public safety is a top priority. For this reason we will remain closed to the public until further notice. We will continue to assess the progress and will update frequently as additional information about closures or changes in hours of availability becomes available.
We will continue to receive animals from Animal Control and Law Enforcement Agencies. If you are looking for a lost pet, please email info@southernpinesanimalshelter so that we may help you further.
Thank you for your continued support, and we will keep you updated as we enter the next phases on our mission to save the shelter. With your help, we will continue to make a difference for animals in need and save more lives than ever before.
Landslide Threatens Southern Pines Animal Shelter
Your donation can help save the shelter today.
Several weeks ago the Pine Belt area experienced a weather event that dumped several inches of rain in a very short period of time overnight. The next morning the Southern Pines Animal Shelter Director discovered that the back side of the Southern Pines property (only about 12 feet from the main kennel building) had experienced a landslide. The back portion of the dog walking trail that encircles the property was completely consumed and three large trees moved several feet from their original location. The landslide is now threatening Southern Pine’s main dog kennel building.
"It's devastating that after building so much momentum and saving more lives than ever before over the last few years, we could lose so much of our ability to reach animals in need, " said Ginny Sims, Southern Pines Shelter Director. "This landslide threatens not only the shelter property, but also our ability to provide safety, shelter, and second chances to thousands of animals every year."
The kennel building is approximately 5,000 square ft. and houses 40 runs, an adoption office, vet tech treatment room, sick animal room, supply room, laundry room, and enrichment supplies. Built on a concrete slab containing over 50 drains servicing the kennel runs and work spaces, the kennel building also has its water supply lines in the slab. Should the landslide encroach further toward the building it will likely breach the foundation, causing severe plumbing damage that would shut down the shelter, pending a very time-consuming and costly repair.
Both Hattiesburg city officials and Forrest County crews have inspected the site and confirmed that the main kennel building is at risk if the dirt movement is not stabilized. No one can predict how much time there will be before further damage occurs. All agreed that the repairs needed to be done as soon as possible.
The recommended, but very costly, repair is to install a retainer wall at the base of the landslide and fill with loads of dirt and fill material, topped by anti-erosion measures. The other option (less likely to be permanent) would be to dump loads of concrete and fill dirt into the area, building the slope back up to the original height. Costs for those solutions range from $11,000 to $50,000. This cost is monumental when added to the cost of providing food, medical care, treatment, and shelter to more than 5,000 animals each year. The situation is dire, and Southern Pines needs the help of its community in order to continue growing to reach more homeless, displaced, abused and neglected dogs and cats.
This is an emergency at Southern Pines. In the few weeks since the original landslide, at least another foot of property has fallen off, bringing the cliff even closer to the main dog kennel building. Southern Pines is asking for donations from the community to allow work to begin to stop the continuing landslide --- before the dog kennel building is compromised. Further delays could result in the shelter closing for more lengthy and costly repairs, and with over 5,000 pets a year being saved at Southern Pines that would mean a grim New Year for our area’s homeless pets. With your help, we know we can make 2016 great. Please consider making a gift that will help Southern Pines save lives for years to come.
Your donation can help save the shelter today.
Several weeks ago the Pine Belt area experienced a weather event that dumped several inches of rain in a very short period of time overnight. The next morning the Southern Pines Animal Shelter Director discovered that the back side of the Southern Pines property (only about 12 feet from the main kennel building) had experienced a landslide. The back portion of the dog walking trail that encircles the property was completely consumed and three large trees moved several feet from their original location. The landslide is now threatening Southern Pine’s main dog kennel building.
"It's devastating that after building so much momentum and saving more lives than ever before over the last few years, we could lose so much of our ability to reach animals in need, " said Ginny Sims, Southern Pines Shelter Director. "This landslide threatens not only the shelter property, but also our ability to provide safety, shelter, and second chances to thousands of animals every year."
The kennel building is approximately 5,000 square ft. and houses 40 runs, an adoption office, vet tech treatment room, sick animal room, supply room, laundry room, and enrichment supplies. Built on a concrete slab containing over 50 drains servicing the kennel runs and work spaces, the kennel building also has its water supply lines in the slab. Should the landslide encroach further toward the building it will likely breach the foundation, causing severe plumbing damage that would shut down the shelter, pending a very time-consuming and costly repair.
Both Hattiesburg city officials and Forrest County crews have inspected the site and confirmed that the main kennel building is at risk if the dirt movement is not stabilized. No one can predict how much time there will be before further damage occurs. All agreed that the repairs needed to be done as soon as possible.
The recommended, but very costly, repair is to install a retainer wall at the base of the landslide and fill with loads of dirt and fill material, topped by anti-erosion measures. The other option (less likely to be permanent) would be to dump loads of concrete and fill dirt into the area, building the slope back up to the original height. Costs for those solutions range from $11,000 to $50,000. This cost is monumental when added to the cost of providing food, medical care, treatment, and shelter to more than 5,000 animals each year. The situation is dire, and Southern Pines needs the help of its community in order to continue growing to reach more homeless, displaced, abused and neglected dogs and cats.
This is an emergency at Southern Pines. In the few weeks since the original landslide, at least another foot of property has fallen off, bringing the cliff even closer to the main dog kennel building. Southern Pines is asking for donations from the community to allow work to begin to stop the continuing landslide --- before the dog kennel building is compromised. Further delays could result in the shelter closing for more lengthy and costly repairs, and with over 5,000 pets a year being saved at Southern Pines that would mean a grim New Year for our area’s homeless pets. With your help, we know we can make 2016 great. Please consider making a gift that will help Southern Pines save lives for years to come.
