Starkville looking to elect first ever pet mayor

STARKVILLE — In the heat of an election year for humans in local governments, the pets of Starkville are also off to the races.

On Tuesday, nominations opened for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s Pet Mayor Election. Paige Watson, director for Main Street for the Partnership, said this election is the first of its kind for the city and it “may be” the first in the state.

Though the election is not rigged, Watson said it will be a “bought” election, as it is a fundraiser for the Main Street Association’s pet-friendly initiatives and the Oktibbeha County Humane Society. Sponsorships, nomination fees and voting fees will help to generate funds for both organizations.

“Everyone loves pets and everyone loves a good cause,” Watson said. “We appreciate the work of the humane society and we want people to support us. … It’s something new, it’s something unique, and it tells a lot about Starkville and how pet-friendly we are.”

Watson said the Pet Mayor title is available for either a cat or a dog, but others are not eligible, as the Pet Mayor’s primary responsibility will be to make public appearances in the city for the next two years. The pet must be owned by a city resident or a Mississippi State University student living in the city to be eligible.

The Pet Mayor’s first appearance has already been booked as the grand marshal of the Cotton District Arts Festival, Watson said. But, if for some reason the elected Pet Mayor cannot be present for an event, alternates will be selected as the city’s “Fur Chief” and “Chief of Pawlice.”

Rick Welch, president for the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, said Watson invited the humane society to participate in the election and he is grateful for the opportunity to raise money for animals in need in the shelter.

“Some of the proceeds raised will come to us, which we desperately need all the time,” Welch said. “It will most likely go to our general fund for the animals who come in … for everything from medical care to food. I encourage everyone in our community to get onboard. I’m excited to see who our next Pet Mayor is.”

While the Pet Mayor will not be taking on all of the responsibilities of a human mayor, Mayor Lynn Spruill voiced her approval of the Pet Mayor race in a text message to The Dispatch, saying she “loves” the idea.

“As a lover of the canine family, I am delighted to share a role of being an ambassador for the city with a furry cold nosed friend,” Spruill wrote. “I have no doubt whoever is selected will be well received by all. Starkvegas is a great place for our pet families.”

Nominations are open until Aug. 25. Voting will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 15, and the official collaring ceremony for the new Pet Mayor will be Sept.19.

The candidatesWhile anyone can nominate their pet to be the city’s first Pet Mayor for the next few weeks, a few human owners were quick to throw their pet’s hat in the ring during the first week.

Daira Carney, owner of 2-year-old mixed-breed Bonnie, said she decided to announce her dog’s candidacy as a way to support OCHS, since she originally adopted Bonnie from the shelter. Bonnie’s campaign slogan is, “From pet shelter to Pet Mayor,” with a platform centered around clearing the shelters.

“I had actually just lost my first pet pretty tragically, and a few months later I knew I needed another dog to love on,” Carney said. “I went to the shelter and she had actually been turned into the shelter the day I lost my dog. … Now I want to give her something back.”

Alden Thornhill, owner of 2-year-old Dachshund Memphis, has also started campaigning on his dog’s behalf. Memphis, better known as “King Memphis” from this year’s Dachshund Derby, is campaigning under the slogan, “get a long little doggie.”

“He promises everybody unlimited belly rubs, barking as loud as you want, unlimited snacks and just a doggone good time,” Thornhill said. “You know, Memphis is already King, but now he wants to be Mayor.”

Buster Camp, a 13-year-old French Bulldog, is also running. On Facebook, Buster (with the help of campaign manager Hank Watson) said, “I intend to serve as Dog Mayor with the same dignity and integrity that many have already come to expect out of me.”

Buster’s owner, Robert Camp, said Buster is older than some of his competition and is now undergoing physical therapy, but age should not be considered in the election, as Buster still has “plenty of fight” left in him.

“They predicted for us a year and a half ago to prepare for the worst, but we’re six months into that,” Camp said. “Buster has outlived what they predicted for him by a year, and he has issues with his spine, but he’s a fighter. This is just another reason to keep on living. He lives for treats and lives for people patting him and giving him love.”

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