Latest Rescues

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescues 131 domestic rabbits and 26 other animals from deplorable, frigid conditions in Franklin County

Update-Wednesday, March 10, 2010- The rabbits are stable after receiving fluids for dehydration. They have been treated for ear mites and other bacterial ear infections. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescues 11 horses and 2 mules near death and discovers twelve deceased horses in Gasconade County

Update-March 3, 2010-The horses have been treated for internal and external parasite infestations. Their skin conditions are improving but this will be a slow process as they start to grow new healthy hair coats. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force removes dangerous snakes, primates, alligator from Stone County residence

September 17, 2009-Working in cooperation with the Stone County Sheriff’s Department and the Dickerson Park Zoo, yesterday the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force helped remove 26 extremely dangerous, non-indigenous, poisonous snakes, several primates and an alligator suspected of being illegally harbored in a private residence in Stone County in southwest Missouri. The Stone County Sheriff’s Department executed a warrant that was served to remove the animals yesterday. Also in the home was a 3-year-old child who was taken into the care of the state by the Children’s Division of the Missouri Department of Social Services. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescuing more than 100 dogs
from unlicensed, substandard puppy mill in Phelps County

September 15, 2009-Working in cooperation with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is rescuing more than 100 dogs living in filthy conditions on the site of an unlicensed, substandard dog breeding facility outside Rolla, Missouri. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Confirms: Guilty Pleas Entered in Federal Court to Charges from Largest Dog Fighting Raid and Rescue in U.S. History

September 14, 2009-The Humane Society of Missouri today confirms guilty pleas have been entered in connection to the July 8, 2009 multi-state federal dog fighting raid that resulted in the rescue of more than 500 fighting dogs. Federal agents made 26 arrests and dogs were rescued in 8 states. >>>

The Humane Society of Missouri Assists in Crackdown of Suspected Michigan Dog Fighting Operations

Humane Society of Missouri Assists in Indiana Puppy Mill Rescue

June 2, 2009–A 7-person team from the Humane Society of Missouri's Animal Cruelty Task Force assisted in rescuing more than 200 dogs from a Harrison County, Ind. puppy mill. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescuing 68 dogs from unlicensed, substandard puppy mill in Phelps County

April 28, 2009- Working in cooperation with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is rescuing 68 dogs living in filthy conditions on the site of an unlicensed, substandard dog breeding facility outside Rolla, Missouri. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Offers $3,000 reward for information leading to location and recovery of approximately 200 dogs removed from substandard puppy mill

April 1, 2009- The Humane Society of Missouri is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the location and recovery of dogs removed from an unlicensed, substandard puppy mill between Monday, March 30, and Tuesday, March 31. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team deploys to North Dakota to rescue animals affected by severe flooding

March 27, 2009- The Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team has been deployed to North Dakota to rescue animals affected by severe flooding in the Fargo area. The four team members are all experienced in water and disaster rescue and animal sheltering. The team will take with them two trucks pulling a travel trailer and an equipment trailer with water and rope rescue equipment and a boat and an animal transport van. >>>

Animal Cruelty Task Force rescues nearly 400 animals from Arkansas puppy mill

PARIS, Ark. (March 23, 2009) — In cooperation with the Logan Co. Sheriff Department and other animal welfare agencies including United Animal Nations, the Humane Society of the U.S. and local humane organizations this week a 10-person team from the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force directed field operations to rescue nearly 400 neglected animals from a Logan County, Arkansas substandard puppy mill. Read full story and see on scene photos.

Humane Society of Missouri rescuing 150 dogs from substandard puppy mill in Southwest Missouri

Bengal Tiger on property transported to Springfield Zoo; Second major puppy mill rescue for the Humane Society of Missouri in the past week

February 20, 2009-Working in cooperation with the Newton County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is rescuing approximately 150 dogs living in very unsanitary conditions in a substandard dog breeding facility near Seneca, Missouri. One adult Bengal Tiger has also been rescued. The Newton County Sheriff’s Department issued a warrant that was served to remove the animals today. The animals are being removed at the recommendation of an independent veterinarian. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescuing more than 90 dogs from unlicensed, substandard puppy mill in Greene County

February 13, 2009-Working in cooperation with the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is rescuing more than 90 dogs living in filthy conditions on the site of an unlicensed, substandard dog breeding facility near Pleasant Hope, Missouri. The Greene County Sheriff’s Department issued a warrant that was served to remove the animals today. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team Called to Southeast Missouri for Emergency Animal Rescue and Shelter

At the request of SEMA the Humane Society of Missouri's Disaster Response Team has set up operations in Butler, New Madrid and Pemiscot counties to assist with feeding, watering and setting up temporary shelter for pet owners with no water or electricity. Each county has between 80-100% of the population without power and Pemiscot County is without a water supply after the winter storm that passed through the area in late January. >>>

Humane Society of Missouri Rescues Dog from Cold and Ice on I-44

Pet Owners Cautioned to Pay Special Attention to Pets in Frigid Weather

Following a call to the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Abuse Hotline, a humane officer from the Humane Society of Missouri rescued a cold, scared 1 ½ year old, female German Shepherd from the very hazardous, icy conditions and freezing temperatures in the median of I-44 at Jefferson Avenue at about 9:15 this morning.

The dog Humane Society of Missouri staff have named Isis is now being treated by veterinarians and staff at the Humane Society’s Headquarters on Macklind Avenue. She was found lying in the median scared and covered in ice. She was dehydrated and had sustained several abrasions. Isis has no identification tags or microchip. She will be held for 6 days while the Humane Society searches for her owner. If no owner is found, she will then be made available for adoption.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI ADVISORY
Pet owners are cautioned to be mindful of how quickly pets can be adversely affected by frigid conditions. “Even animals with heavy coats can be at risk,” cautions Dr. Steven Schwartz, director of Veterinary Medical Centers for the Humane Society of Missouri. “When a pet’s coat gets wet, the cold can easily penetrate causing hypothermia in a very short time. In addition, pet paws are particularly vulnerable on ice and snow. Pets should always have a dry place out of the wind to retreat to, preferably one that is inside and warm.”

To report an animal in distress, call the Humane Society of Missouri at (314) 647-4400.

COLD WEATHER TIPS FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

Humane Society of Missouri Called to Rescue 49 Pekes, Poodles, Pugs and More from Oklahoma Puppy Mill

Humane Society of Missouri only shelter in the region with resources available to rescue largenumber of animals on short notice

The Humane Society of Missouri is assisting the Grove Humane Society in Delaware County, Oklahoma, with the rescue of 49 small-breed dogs and puppies from a defunct breeding operation. The dogs were kept in dilapidated, wooden and wire rabbit hutches without protection from freezing temperatures predicted for the area. The owner released custody of the dogs to the Humane Society of Missouri Rescue Team who is bringing them back to St. Louis for medical attention and adoption. See photos and read full story.

Reward Offered in Horrific Animal Abuse Case

Cat suffers brutal beating then is set on fire.

October 27, 2008 - The Humane Society of Missouri is offering a $2,500 reward to each of the first three persons who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who severely abused an adult female domestic cat.

On Saturday afternoon, October 18, the Humane Society of Missouri responded to a call from the St. Louis City Police Department and a concerned citizen about an injured cat in north St. Louis City. The HSMO Animal Cruelty Investigator and St. Louis City Police Officers determined that the cat had been bound, beaten numerous times with a metal object and set on fire. Humane Society veterinarians who examined the cat found she was suffering from numerous abrasions and bruises, her lungs were irreparably damaged by inhaled smoke and her flesh was severely burned. To alleviate further suffering, the cat was humanely euthanized.

“The excruciating pain and agony this helpless victim suffered is unfathomable,” said Dr. Steve Schwartz, director of Veterinary Medical Centers for the Humane Society of Missouri. “Already battered and bruised, this poor creature’s suffering only intensified once she was set on fire.”

The Humane Society and the St. Louis City Police Department determined the incident occurred about midnight, Friday, Oct. 17 in the 3100 block of Brantner Place. Authorities believe there were numerous witnesses to this incident.

“The heinous nature of this blatant act of animal torture is frightening,” said Tim Rickey, director of Rescues and Investigations for the Humane Society of Missouri. “I implore anyone with information about this despicable act of cruelty to come forward and help us protect other animals from such a horrendous fate.”

Anyone with information about this crime should contact:
Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Abuse Hotline
314-647-4400

Humane Society of Missouri rescuing 73 dogs and cats from substandard breeder in Howell County

Many of the animals emaciated with no access to food and water; breeder’s license lapsed

Working in cooperation with the Howell County Sheriff’s Department, a team from the Rescues and Investigations Division of the Humane Society of Missouri is rescuing 67 dogs and puppies and 6 cats from a breeding facility near West Plains in Howell County in south central Missouri. Read full story. See photos.

Past Rescues

Humane Society of Missouri Responds to Urgent Request for Animal Rescue at an Indiana Substandard Puppy Mill

Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team continues animal rescues in Galveston after Hurricane Ike

Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team Called to Texas

More than 360 animals are in deplorable conditions in Polk County, Mo

Humane Society of Missouri’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch to care for horse cruelly dragged behind four-wheeler in Iron County

Disaster Response Team Rescues and Shelters Pets Displaced by Mississippi River Flooding in Missouri and Iowa

Humane Society of Missouri Disaster Response Team Comes to Aid of Pets Displaced by Tornado in Southern Missouri

April 14, 2008-Humane Society of Missouri Respond to Report of Dog Shot Twice in Face