The Story of Big River Animal Society

Located in northwest Mississippi, Big River Animal Society was formed in 2014 following a visit to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. After learning “How to Start and Run an Animal Sanctuary”, our epiphany was that the way to fight against animal homelessness and senseless killing is to create a safe, compassionate and healing place.

While our mission may expand over time, our main focus will always be to create a positive solution for animals who end up in kill shelters throughout the South. Whether caught as strays or dumped by their owners, all animals are deserving of a good life on this earth. Although we live in a far from perfect world, it is every human’s obligation to defend the lost, the weak, the abandoned, the sick, the abused and injured for all living creatures.

Big River was named for the mighty Mississippi river that flows through the center of the continental United States, specifically bordering the states of Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. We know well the dangers that lurk for animals in our area so we first concentrate our efforts here. Dog fighting, puppy mills, horrific animal abuse, irresponsible pet owners, overpopulation, and heart worm disease – we’ve seen it all. Yet, we look again at the river which is a natural source of life and a metaphor for the journey. Taking a broken animal on this journey to a new and better life is our purpose so we become one with the river of life.

If you would like to be part of a positive team dedicated to making the world a better place by helping animals in need, please join us!

Debi Wright Berry

Founder & CEO