MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Hundreds of dogs in Mississippi are getting a second chance at life thanks to a small group that's come together to form the Tunica Humane Society.

The shelter recently celebrated its second birthday. Before it was formed, all stray dogs in Tunica County went to the pound and were killed. After placing more than 300 dogs in adoptive homes, the Tunica Humane Society is asking for donations and willing dog-owners to continue its success.

Based on the tails wagging and the smiles on their little doggy faces, it's easy to see these happy pups know how lucky they are to end up at the Tunica Humane Society.

"We believe with all of our hearts, if that animal is adoptable and can be rehabilitated then we're going to do whatever it takes to find that animal a home," said Sandy Williams, Executive Director of the Tunica Humane Society.

Williams is also one of the founders of the shelter.

"A small group of women organized this group to try to start saving the animals of our community," she said.

In just two years of existence, the Tunica Humane Society has rescued more than 500 dogs. Pups like Cocoa, a pit bull-mix, are still alive today because of this no kill shelter and are ready to go to forever homes when the right "human" stops by to visit.

"When I think about one coming in that shy or is too timid and doing aggressive work with it and trying to get it to play with other dogs and seeing it 4-5 months down the road when it's playing with 4-5 other dogs," said Donna Doernback.

Right now, the shelter is strictly outdoors, although this group is confident an indoor facility is within reach.

"We've envisioned more of an animal sanctuary with a lot of green space. A lot of play area for our animals. So, we have started out with that goal and we're very, very close to reaching that goal of a shelter," said Williams.

Even without an indoor shelter, Williams and her co-volunteers have seen more than 300 happy endings for dogs in Tunica County.

"We have this thing where we take shots of the family leaving from the back and when that little dog walks away from us and they never look back, they go right with their new family, it's extremely rewarding," she said.

The Tunica Humane Society has been nominated to compete for the Pepsi Refresh Project. If the shelter receives the most votes this month on Pepsi's website, it will receive $50,000 dollars.