Mississippi woman steps up to rescue strays in Walker County

As an animal lover Shannon Blackwell makes it a point to come to a shopping center in Parrish in Walker County to make sure to strays in the area have something to eat and drink.

"It's a common area for people to come by in the middle of the night and drop them because they think, 'Well somebody will come by and pick it up and take care of it,'" said Blackwell.

The dogs have become comfortable with Blackwell. She thinks one dog, who she calls Sneakers, has been hit by a car. Another one may have already had one litter of puppies.

Thanks to Mississippi resident Angela Phillips, Blackwell said those puppies may have a better life than their mother.

"I have heard that she has come once and got puppies. Hopefully she'll come back," said Blackwell.

According Phillips' Facebook page, she does plan to come back and save the remaining animals. It's a feat Blackwell commends but says more needs to be done within the county to end overpopulation.

"This area out here has nothing. We don't have a humane society. We don't have I guess you would say a dog catcher. They put them out and there's nobody to stop them," said Blackwell.

Randy Matson can agree with Blackwell. He too see's an overwhelming amount of homeless animals at his job.

"At one time we had you know nine strays and then they had puppies. They had more and then they disappeared and people just drop them off," said Matson.

Both Blackwell and Matson say more needs to be done. But they are grateful a complete stranger would have such an open heart.

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