Oxford vs Starkville.

Rebels vs Bulldogs.

Only one school can take the title, but every animal wins...

Last year, Rescue Revival launched the first Rebels for Rescue campaign to help local animals. And this year, we’re raising the stakes in the most Mississippi way possible. We’re officially introducing our rival campaigns— inviting the Ole Miss Rebels and Mississippi State Bulldogs to go head-to-head in a friendly competition to see which community can make the biggest impact for Mississippi animals.

The road to the Egg Bowl starts on the field.

The race for the first-ever Water Bowl Championship starts with the fans.

Through fundraising challenges, community partnerships, local business involvement, and passionate supporters on both sides, we’re turning school spirit into lifesaving impact for homeless animals across the state.

Whether you’re shouting “Hotty Toddy” or “Hail State,” this movement is about proving what Mississippi communities can accomplish when we come together for animals in need.

Every donation, share, sponsorship, and conversation helps move this work forward.

Together, we can build a future where fewer animals suffer, more families can access the care they need, and Mississippi becomes a leader in compassionate, community-driven animal welfare.

Hotty Toddy 🤝 Hail State — let’s save lives together.

Rebels for Rescue: A Healthier Future for Mississippi’s Animals

Thanks to the incredible support from this community, we are thrilled to share that we successfully fulfilled our first campaign goal: raising over $8,000 to install UVC technology at the Oxford Animal Resource Center. This upgrade helps control the spread of airborne and surface-level pathogens, meaning fewer sick animals, faster transports, and more pets finding their forever homes.

But as we launched Rebels for Rescue and worked alongside shelters, rescues, veterinarians, and volunteers across the state, our eyes were opened to the true scale of Mississippi’s homeless animal crisis.

Mississippi consistently ranks among the states with the highest shelter intake and euthanasia challenges in the country. Thousands of dogs and cats enter shelters each year, while many more never make it into a facility at all. Rural communities are especially overwhelmed by uncontrolled breeding, lack of affordable veterinary access, and limited transportation resources. In many areas, families who want to help their animals simply cannot access or afford care.

This is no longer just about shelter support. It is about building long-term solutions that keep animals, families, and communities healthier and safer.

Our inaugural Rebels for Rescue campaign proved the power of community-driven change. Now we’re launching the next phase of the movement: a statewide effort to create lasting impact for Mississippi animals.

What’s Next for Rebels for Rescue

1. Increasing Access to Spay & Neuter Care Across Mississippi

One of the biggest barriers facing Mississippi rescues and pet owners is not willingness to seek care — it is access.

Many rural communities do not have nearby affordable veterinary options, and countless rescue organizations spend enormous amounts of time and money trying to transport animals across the state or into neighboring areas like Memphis to receive lifesaving veterinary services.

Our next major initiative is to raise the funds needed to outfit a dedicated statewide animal transport vehicle that will help Mississippi and Memphis-area rescue partners safely transport dogs to receive:

Spay and neuter services
Preventative veterinary care
Emergency medical treatment
Vaccinations and wellness services

This initiative is about increasing:

Accessibility by connecting underserved communities with available care
Affordability by reducing transportation burdens on rescues and pet owners
Awareness by creating more opportunities for education surrounding preventative care and responsible pet ownership

The long-term community impact of this initiative could be monumental.

By helping reduce accidental litters and improving access to preventative care, Mississippi communities can experience:

Reduced shelter overcrowding
Lower municipal and shelter spending related to animal intake and care
Fewer stray animals in neighborhoods
Improved public health and safety
Reduced euthanasia rates
Stronger support systems for families trying to keep their pets

This is proactive animal welfare — addressing the root of the crisis instead of only responding after it has already escalated.

2. Building a Stronger Voice for Animal Welfare in Mississippi

As we became more involved in rescue work across the state, another reality became impossible to ignore: Mississippi animals desperately need stronger advocacy.

Compared to many states, Mississippi has very limited animal welfare infrastructure, minimal public funding dedicated to addressing pet overpopulation, and few coordinated statewide efforts focused on prevention. Rescue organizations and shelters are often left carrying the burden of the crisis with little governmental support.

At the same time, this issue impacts more than animals alone. Uncontrolled stray populations can affect:

Community safety
Public health
Local economies
Shelter resources
Quality of life for Mississippi residents

Rebels for Rescue is committed to helping drive meaningful conversations and long-term legislative progress surrounding:

Accessible spay and neuter programs
Responsible population control initiatives
Increased support for shelters and rescues
Community education efforts
Sustainable funding solutions for animal welfare programs

Our goal is to help build a future where Mississippi communities are not left to manage this crisis alone and where animal welfare is recognized as an important part of creating healthier, safer communities for everyone.

Rebels For Rescue

Hotty Toddy—let’s save lives together!

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