In Defense of Animals opened an innovative new animal sanctuary in Mississippi this week — one that replaces sterile cages with comfortable cottages for its precious furry residents. Along with the new cozy cottages, the rescue center boasts a specialized cattery and progressive veterinary clinic.
The compact houses at Hope Animal Sanctuary in Carroll County are designed with the animals’ well-being in mind and the intent of providing them with a more home-like environment as they await their forever families and new guardians.
Designed with the help of an animal sanctuary architect, every little dwelling sits in a cul-de-sac with a scenic walkway and covered porch, with its own large, grassy outdoor run where the abandoned and often traumatised cats and dogs can rediscover the joy of life.

Image: In Defense of Animals
“Hope Animal Sanctuary has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of Mississippi’s castoff animals in its 25 years, and these brand new facilities offer new hope to thousands more,” said In Defense of Animals President Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Animals find refuge at Hope Animal Sanctuary when they are beaten, blinded, burned, sick, starved, or simply forgotten, and now they will get the top-notch care they deserve in cutting-edge facilities.”
The Carroll County region has very few other animal shelters or animal services, so IDA’s work is essential here. Last year alone, the sanctuary was able to re-home 700 rescued dogs and cats.

Image Credit: Hope Animal Sanctuary
At the grand opening ceremony on Saturday, Dr. Kroplick cut the ribbon as members of the public looked on.
“The animals and people of Mississippi are incredibly lucky to have animal angel Doll Stanley, a fearless campaigner who founded Hope Animal Sanctuary and has rescued literally thousands of animals during her 25 years service in Mississippi,” said Kroplick. “We owe huge thanks to Stanley and also to Hope Animal Sanctuary’s Debbie Clark, Sharon Stone, and their fearless team who do the hard work, day in, day out, to get mistreated animals into loving homes. It is thanks to these folks’ unfaltering dedication to the animals we stand here today and our work will continue.”
Hope Animal Sanctuary is entirely funded by donations, and encourages local residents or businesses to support this incredible new center by sponsoring one of the grassy dog runs or tiny houses.
GREAT IDEA FOR DOGS!
I love the way the animals have their own home instead of cages. More states should follow your lead.
Thank you to all; the difference you are making is life changing.
We are so touched to read your beautiful comments of support for our ray of hope in Mississippi!
You still have time to help the Deep South’s most abused animals and memorialize a loved one on our memory lane: http://www.idausa.org
if 10% of the world population will be that this angel our world will be heaven
that’s beautiful
You should have had a picture of inside one of the cottages!
Thank you for reporting on this, Carly! You can see inside the tiny houses here: https://www.facebook.com/indefenseofanimals/posts/10156338834807346
Bless all of you for taking such good care of God’s animals with love, care, compassion, and a great place to be safe and happy. You are unsung heroes and I pray for much success, prosperity and joy with this endeavor. To bad our tax dollars go to poorly run and/or kill shelters instead of places like yours.
This is so cool !!!, and a great idea. Wish more states would do this.
If only all animal shelters were run this way! So much better for the animals, less stress and I think potential adopters might be more willing to come look and maybe more seriously consider adoption of an animal from a place as nice as this! There are no words to thank all involved! this is such a WONDERFUL LIFE now for these abused, neglected, forgotten, beaten…….plain mistreated animals. They probably think they are already in Heaven.
This rescue organization went beyond the usual, and provided a top notch environment for their rescued animals
This is how all animal shelters should be operated. Bravo!
LOVE THIS!
What a great thing to do,these animals have sufford enough already now they can live happy feel safe and comfortable. And I just know they love all of you who help so much ,thank you to all of you who help animals so much untill they find their forever homes
What an absolutely brilliant idea about time we treated animals “nicely” and NOT like prisoners. It must be heaven for abandoned, mistreated, traumatised animals. Well done.
How wonderfully heartening to see such a positive story! We need to do everything we can to help all animals. Kudos to Carroll County and this progressive shelter!
This is wonderful news! It will be so much better than cages/kennels for these poor animals
who have suffered so much!
Very nice, I hope they enjoy
This is sooooo AWESOME. CONGRATS TO ALL WHO HELPRD MAKE THIS POSSIBLE FOR OUR BELOVED FURBABYS.
Thanks to all who participate in making this shelter rescue come to fruition!! Congratulations and good luck and love to all that have been a part of it and keep helping all animals!!
Sounds like a wonderful place. I am so happy to see these poor unfortunate souls in a safe, caring environment. Thank you for caring
Thanku Hope Animsl Santuary for your tireless efforts and for having these innovative cottages built for the animals. ??????
I don’t know about the animals that live there but I would love to. What a wonderful idea.
In Defense of Animals really puts our donations to work for the animals. They are one organization I completely trust.
This is one of the beautiful stories, just makes me so happy for a change!
Some Good News.Glad to see this in Mississippi!
Amazing story
That’s so awesome a wonderful idea for these beautiful animals.