Meet Beverly Mercer | Animal Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beverly Mercer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beverly, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
People. Our rescues mission is to save as many dogs as possible from the south and place them in great homes in other parts of the country.

The south has a terrible pet overpopulation problem – unless people have been to the south and seen it for themselves, it’s difficult to imagine.

Come help us. We invite all animal lovers to join the cause. That’s what it takes. A lot of people that care. That want to make a difference. That want to leave the world better place because they were here.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I got into the non-profit sector by accident.

After a career for many years in advertising, I left my 9-5 job and began free lancing.

This gave me more free time to do other things. I have always been an animal lover. I got that from my father. Through his five years of cancer treatments, he was able to take care of his five dogs and three horses until he died. He loved them so, Then they came to me to live on my 15 acre horse farm.

Since I did have room and a barn, I decided to step up to help puppies at Memphis Animal Services, that were being put to sleep that day. 33 of them were scheduled to be euthanized. Basically because they had stuffy noses and at that time, MAS did not have a quarantine area.

I drove to the shelter and brought home 11 puppies that day. With the idea that I would take them back to the shelter when they were healthy so that they may be adopted.

After three weeks, they had all recovered. They were so sweet. Heathy, fat and all adorable.

But after having them in my home and caring for them for three weeks, there was no way I was taking them back to the shelter. No way.

Okay. Now what? I already have two dogs of my own……so now I have 11 more??

I set out to find them the best homes possible.

Then I discovered Petfinder and a great pet transport, who took them to the northeast, to their new families. I was so happy for them.

Wow! This was great! And fun!

I went back to the high kill Memphis shelter the next week and rescued 15 more dogs.. Soon we had foster homes for some of the dogs, which meant we could save even more.

And that’s what we have been doing for the last 15 years.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Downtown Memphis!!!

No question. Memphis (Tennessee as a whole) as the best food, the most talented musicians and the friendliest people you could ever hope to find.

So many great restaurants. Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous for barbecue and ribs.
There are too many great places to list. One on every corner. Seriously good home cooked style food too.

Beale Street for music. BB Kings! There are so many great music venues up and down Beale. And the performers. They are in Memphis because they chose to be. They could be performing anywhere in the world, look at all the great musicians that got their start here.
Lafayette’s. Great place. Love it.

Raifords! Everyone has to experience Raiford’s at least once in their life.
The disco ball and shag carpet. 80’s “burn baby burn” music.

Then, because I do what I do, we would visit the animal shelters. It’s important that people see the depth of the problem that is animal rescue/overpopulation in Memphis.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people deserve credit.

Our fosters especially. They are the ones that care for the dogs once they enter the rescue. Because they volunteer to help, the dogs have a safe place.

But ultimately the adopter. Without adopters, we could not do what we do.

And the donors. Thank you, thank you. Without donors we would not be able to pay our vet bills or buy dog food.

So I guess the old saying is true…it takes a village.

Website: merceranimalrescue.org

Instagram: mercer_animal_rescue

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverly-elam-mercer-646baa5

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100064695666370

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@merceranimalrescue8379?si=LkkT9fZHgT87jLx3