Oktibbeha County Humane Society
Our Mission
The Oktibbeha County Humane Society is dedicated to bringing hope to pets and their people by serving as a vital resource for our community. We strive to create a healthier, happier, and safer environment where every animal is treated with the care, safety, and love they deserve.
Building a Kinder Community
We believe that a person’s love for their pets transcends socioeconomic circumstances. By providing affordable, accessible spay and neuter services and essential wellness care, we work to control pet overpopulation and ensure that every companion animal has a fair chance to thrive.
How We Help
Our organization operates through a comprehensive model that includes the Starkville Animal Shelter and a specialized low-cost clinic. We are committed to the thousands of homeless and neglected dogs and cats that come through our doors, utilizing a regional transport program to connect pets with loving homes in areas with more space and adopters. We also rely on a dedicated network of foster parents who open their homes to provide temporary, compassionate care for animals in need of extra attention or preparation for their next journey.
Your New Best Friend
Finding the right pet is a joyful experience, and our staff is here to help you make a thoughtful match. Whether you are looking for a playful puppy or a gentle senior, our team works closely with you to understand your lifestyle and ensure a successful, long-term bond. We pride ourselves on transparent, supportive guidance to help you welcome your new addition home with confidence.
Join Our Mission
Ready to meet your new companion? We invite you to browse our adoptable pets online or visit the Starkville Animal Shelter during business hours to talk with our team. You can also make a meaningful impact by volunteering, fostering, or donating to support our life-saving programs today.
- Staff dedication
- Positive volunteer experience
- Staff rudeness
9/30 - Starkville Derby returning in 2027 with new title sponsor - SuperTalk Mississippi
The world's largest weenie dog race will soon return to Starkville — this time with a new title sponsor.
9/8 - Rising pet care costs push shelters to crisis point
Economic pressures are forcing pet owners to make tough decisions about their animals.
6/13 - Kitten season heroes
Terri Doumit and Jill Johnson sit at the kitchen table in Jill’s home on Old Aberdeen Road.
5/16 - West Point shelter rescues 54 dogs from overwhelmed owner
Earlier this month, Jessie Jones, shelter manager with the West Point Clay County Animal Shelter, was contacted about assisting with a large-scale animal hoarding issue involving dogs just north of Clay County’s border.
5/2 - Roses and Thorns: 5-2-26
A rose to Mississippi Math and Science history students, whose annual Eighth of May Emancipation Celebration performance will include a special guest that
10/14 - After 152 days, our girl Amber was adopted today! 🎊🎉 Can you tell she’s excited?? 🐾🐾 With 45 intakes since Friday, we needed some good news. ❤️ We hope you join us in happy dancing our way into the rest of this week…. 🕺🕺🕺
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10/5 - ✨UPDATE: Gypsy is going home!✨Sweet little Gypsy is still waiting for you! 🥹 This petite little girl is a beautiful 9-month-old brindle Boxer mix who weighs just 20 pounds. And after a rocky start to life, she’s finally learning just how much fun being a dog can be. 🐾 Gypsy has blossomed in foster care. 🌸 She’s learning her manners, working hard on potty training, and has even discovered the joy of TOYS! 🧸 She gets along great with her foster dog siblings and has done wonderfully with the resident cat and foster kittens. 🐶🐱 She’d love a home with a friendly canine buddy to help show her the ropes! She’s still a little shy with people but everyday she gets braver. Gypsy loves attention and affection once she learns she’s safe and has the funniest personality! She will need a patient family committed to giving her the time to open up. ❤️❤️ Want to meet Gypsy? DM us to set it up!
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10/4 - Our crew started at 4 AM this morning to get a lucky group of 42 pups ready for their next adventure! ✈️ A huge thanks to our Mississippi partners, Columbus Lowndes Humane Society, wpccas.ms, and Small Mercies Animal Rescue for their hard work on this flight, and to our friends at the @aspca for making it all possible. 🐾 Happy Saturday, everyone! #animalrescue #adoptdontshop
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9/30 - Harry, the man! Enough said…. Psssss…..he’s available for adoption! #adoptashelterpet
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9/28 - Shelter Shenanigans! 🤪 That’s all we’ve got, folks. Have a great week! 🐾 #animalshelter #fosteringsaveslives
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9/26 - Meet Gypsy. ❤️🐾 Gypsy is a 9-month-old Boxer mix who came to us starved, neglected, and terrified of just about everything. She didn’t trust people. She didn’t play. She didn’t seek out affection. She was so completely shut down that we honestly didn’t know if she would ever become “adoptable.” But we knew she deserved a chance to learn that hands can be gentle. That food will keep coming. That people can be kind. That she can play, relax, and just be a puppy. So Gypsy went into foster care 7 days ago. In seven days, this little girl has blossomed. 🌸She’s gaining weight. She’s gaining confidence. And little by little, she’s learning that maybe the world isn’t such a scary place after all. ❤️ THIS is what fostering does. It gives animals like Gypsy the chance to decompress outside of a loud, stressful shelter. It gives us the opportunity to see who they really are. And most importantly, it gives them the chance to experience love, safety, and a normal life, sometimes for the very first time. Now Gypsy is ready for the next chapter. 🏡 She’ll need a patient adopter who understands that trust may take a little time and who is willing to keep showing her that she’s safe. She would love a canine sibling to help show her the ropes, and she doesn’t mind cats either! Seven days ago, we gave Gypsy a chance and she ran with it. Now she needs a home. Could it be you? Message us to set up a meet & greet with this sweet girl! Can’t adopt - let’s talk about fostering! It truly saves lives! ❤️🐾
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9/21 - ✨UPDATE: ADOPTED! Lila had so much interest - we implore you all to take a look at our other adoptable babies. They all deserve homes and we would love to introduce you to them!✨ Meet the sweetest little German Shepherd girl… Lila! 🥹❤️🐾 Lila is just 5 months old and 39 lbs., and we truly cannot say enough good things about this baby. She is incredibly sweet, has a fantastic temperament, and is just an all-around lovely little girl. She loves toys, romping around the yard, and soaking up attention from her people. 🥰 She’s still a puppy, so she has plenty of growing and learning ahead of her, but she already has such a wonderful personality. Lila was surrendered to OCHS along with her brother and sister. She watched her brother leave. She watched her sister leave. Now we’d really love for someone to walk through those doors for her. ❤️ If you’ve been looking for a young German Shepherd with a sweet disposition and a whole lot of love to give, come meet Lila. We open at 11 tomorrow! 🐾❤️
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9/19 - Happy Friday, Folks! Mario and Ralph are headed out tomorrow on a new adventure! ✈️ So if you happen to be up watching the sunrise, look toward the sky, and you just might catch these two dudes flying off to their forever! 🌅 Big dogs are often the ones who wait the longest for a home. That’s why animal relocation is so critical. It gives dogs like Mario and Ralph a chance to find their family. ❤️ Shout out to our awesome friends at the @aspca for making this possible for thousands of homeless animals in Mississippi. #Mississippi
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