By Mrudvi Bakshi

news@oxfordeagle.com

The community’s pet enthusiasts are wrapping up a fundraiser for homeless pets that brought law enforcement on board.

An initiative by the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society, “Heroes for the Homeless” is a friendly competition to raise awareness about OLHS’ commitment to finding better homes for animals.

Thirteen agencies in town have been competing against one another to see who can raise the most money that can be used for transporting animals north to forever homes. The competition ends Friday.

Participating agencies include Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, Oxford Police Department, University Police Department, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, IRS, Homeland Security, Oxford Fire Department, Lafayette Fire Department and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

“These men and women are dedicated to the citizens of this area and truly live to serve,” said event organizer Katie Muldoon. “This fundraiser is an opportunity for the many animal lovers in law enforcement to serve a cause directed to the four-legged citizens of Lafayette County and the city of Oxford.”

Muldoon said the competition has garnered a lot of attention and enthusiasm among the participants.

“The town constantly battles overpopulation, and adoption alone is not able to solve the problem,” she said. “For that reason OLHS transports animals to areas like New England, the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest where overpopulation is less of an issue and animals can find permanent homes.”

Summer months witness a high rate of intake at the shelter, with about 30 to 60 animals being surrendered a day. In order to offset the heavy intake of animals, transporting allows OLHS to get 50 to 80 animals per transport into better rescue homes.

Community members willing to participate can donate to the cause under the name of their favorite agency.

Collections should be dropped off at the shelter, in a concealed envelope, mentioning the donor agency and amount enclosed.

The last date for donations is Friday, and the agency raising the highest amount will win a prize package with items donated by the local businesses.

For more information, contact OLHS at 662-236-7631.