Young Animal Advocate Saves 1,400 Animals from Euthanasia in Mississippi

In a remarkable effort to save the lives of animals, 24-year-old Emily Hirtle has rescued 1,400 cats and dogs from euthanasia at kill shelters across Mississippi within just one year. Beginning her mission last May, Hirtle tirelessly drives over 280 miles from her home in Saucier to the Rankin County Animal Shelter in Brandon and other facilities three times a week.

Hirtle’s dedication to this cause is driven by her commitment to Best Friends Animal Society’s goal to end the killing of cats and dogs in shelters by 2025. Despite the physical and emotional toll, she finds the work incredibly rewarding. Her daily routine involves rescuing animals from shelters and relocating them to facilities with higher adoption rates. Hirtle faces numerous challenges, including the difficulty of finding rescue groups with the capacity to take in multiple animals, especially from rural shelters that operate with limited resources. Many of these shelters have no internet connection and rely on outdated pen-and-paper records, often lacking detailed medical or behavioral histories of the animals.

Hirtle primarily rescues animals from Rankin County Shelter, which is staffed by incarcerated individuals under the supervision of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to her rescue efforts, Hirtle educates the shelter staff on proper animal care. She spends the rest of her day photographing animals, networking with rescue groups, writing bios, and posting on the Best Friends of Central Mississippi Facebook page.

Her dedication has not only saved lives but also boosted morale among shelter staff. “These are incredibly compassionate people who often feel like they are stuck in a hopeless situation,” Hirtle said. “Seeing the animals leave, and knowing their community will step up to help if they are made aware of the challenges the shelter is facing, gives them hope.”

Hirtle’s efforts contribute to the ongoing decline in euthanasia rates in U.S. shelters, a trend supported by increased adoptions and more reunions of stray animals with their owners. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports a significant decrease in the number of companion animals euthanized annually, from 2.6 million in 2011 to 920,000 today.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to only adopt instead of shopping and use this amazing pet adoption search tool by WildWatchers to find shelter animals near you!

Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal.

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