There’s not a moment’s rest for our Justice for Animals senior campaigner Doll Stanley, who tirelessly investigates cruelty and fights for justice for animals — while also helping rescue animals in need across Mississippi. Thanks to her work, yet another tiny life who was almost missed is now safe and loved in a new forever home.

Ginny’s story reflects the dire need for In Defense of Animals’ existence and like-minded animal advocates who take on some of the most heartbreaking cases many don’t want to face.

As she tells it:

I’d already traveled to my vet twice when I received a call from the dear man who was the hay provider for our Hope Animal Sanctuary before he retired. He owns the Duck Hill cotton gin and was there with his wife when they saw what they believed to be a pup with mange.

I honestly admit that time constraints and the possibility that the pup would have moved on frustrated me, but I knew I needed to head for Duck Hill, a town hurting from poverty, ignorance, and hard times for animals.

When I parked in front of the gin, the gate was locked. Great! I had to employ what remained of my athletic skills to get over the ditch and use the gatepost to swing around it.

Open-eyed, I scoured the grounds, passing a small, round, black something that looked like discarded rolled plastic at a glance, then I spotted what looked like tan ears, but as I approached, it was machinery.

My brain switched on and led me to examine the black splotch I passed. Oh, mercy! A tiny, aged dog had curled up to die. My heart scrambled between pity and “get her out of here now.”

Her little eyes were dried, and one was nearly atrophied. She was matted and was missing half her fur from fighting the fleas that swarmed her.

Once at Veterinary Associates Animal Clinic, Dr. Lawrence met me. In the condition she was in, I thought there might not be hope, but we decided to give her the best chance we could.

Just three days later, her eyes had been medicated, and she had been groomed and was looking sassy. I was taking her to meet Carol and Tommy Griffin of Winona. They make the rounds daily, feeding strays and caring for dogs and cats on their properties. Carol had recently lost her beloved dog, who showed up to protests and events in her stroller.

Our little girl was no sooner out of my transport van than in Carol’s arms. Tommy came out, and with him, the stroller. We named our little rescue Ginny and placed her in her stroller, where she was pushed up and down the driveway and then down the quiet street.

She is the happiest little girl and couldn’t possibly have more loving guardians than my friends and allies, the Griffins.

Your support is vital to our Justice for Animals campaign and direct rescue efforts helping animals like Ginny in Mississippi. You can help by making a donation.