Copiah Animal Shelter (Copiah County Animal Shelter, Inc.), is a nonprofit, volunteer-led animal welfare organization supporting Copiah County, Mississippi (MS) and surrounding communities since 2011.
Copiah Animal Shelter provides care and shelter to homeless and unwanted animals until permanent placement in loving homes can be arranged through pet adoption. Shelter spay/neuter efforts have decreased homeless pet overpopulation by thousands.
We began the Tomato Pooch Pageant in 2021 as a fundraiser to help offset dwindling funds during Pandemic lockdown. We soon discovered that everyone enjoyed seeing The Tomato Pooch at events throughout town. The Tomato Pooch even worked as a pet therapist, helping to ease the frayed nerves of Tomato Queen contestants as he was passed from girl to girl. The Tomato Pooch continues to be a great reminder of the Shelter’s presence and ongoing mission in Crystal Springs and around Copiah County, Mississippi to help local lost, unwanted and abandoned animals.
The annual Crystal Springs, MS Tomato Festival is held the last weekend in June to celebrate our heritage. With railroad access in 1858, Crystal Springs, Mississippi developed into a major produce shipping center in the United States, which led to its being known as the "Tomatopolis of the World." The City continued to be a major produce center until after World War II when the advent of trucking and the decline in produce farming brought on a decline in produce shipping.