Animal Cruelty Task Force Performs Largest Dog Rescue in More than a Decade

Updated Post | August 12

 

Animals from this rescue are starting to be made available for adoption! Visit hsmo.org/adopt to view them. For information on our shelters, including addresses and hours open to the public, please click here. Adoption requirements can be found here. Interested adopters can fill out an application at the shelter, or print one off and bring it with you. We’re so excited these animals are getting the second chance they deserve 🐾

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Updated Post | July 31

 

On July 31, our Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) finished rescuing animals in dire need at the scene of a hoarding case in Christian County. The team first responded yesterday morning (see original post below), bringing 140 dogs to safety in two batches over the course of the day. The ACT team returned to the property early on July 31 to help rescue the remaining animals.

The property owner agreed to surrender the majority of the animals, but a warrant was obtained via the Christian County Sheriff’s Office for the final animals on the property. The ACT team was able bring every animal on the property to HSMO’s Macklind headquarters in St. Louis, where they will all receive emergency veterinary treatment as they begin their long road to recovery. The grand total is 224 animals, which includes more than 200 small-breed dogs, along with cats, kittens, birds and a rabbit.

“Now that we know the full scope of this rescue, we are so relieved to get these animals to safety,” said HSMO President Kathy Warnick. “We are grateful to the Christian County Sheriff’s Department for assisting us today, and we are thrilled these dogs, cats, birds and rabbit will get the second chance they all deserve for a much better life.”

The disposition hearing for the animals recovered under the warrant will take place on August 27. If HSMO is granted official custody of the animals, they will be made available for adoption once they are ready.

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Original Post | July 30

 

On July 30, our Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) rescued 140 dogs, including several puppies, from a hoarder’s home in Christian County, Missouri. We were made aware of the hoarding through local law enforcement and were able to negotiate with the owner to surrender the dogs. The dogs, all small breeds including Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas and others, were transported to our Macklind headquarters in St. Louis to receive health evaluations and emergency veterinary treatment. It is clear that many of the dogs are malnourished and are suffering from infestations and skin issues due to neglect.

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The size of the rescue will put a strain on the already crowded shelter, and we are asking for help from the public through donations of towels, blankets and newspapers. We are also waiving adoption fees for all dogs over 35 pounds to make room for the rescued pups.

“These dogs lived in horrific conditions, and had we not intervened, it is clear that they would have continued to suffer,” said HSMO President Kathy Warnick. “We are relieved that through careful negotiations we were able to rescue these animals from such a dangerous and heart-breaking situation. Now that they are safe, community support is critical to ensure these dogs receive the care and treatment they deserve and a new chance for a better life with a loving family.”

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Donations to help support the care of these animals can be made using the links on this page. Needed items also are available to purchase directly from Amazon on our wish list.

We will make the dogs available for adoption after they have been given a clean bill of health by the veterinarians and evaluated by the animal behavior team. As the animals recover – medically and behaviorally – they will be made available for adoption on a case-by-case basis. There is no current timeline for when these dogs will be ready for their forever home, but interested adopters can check our website at hsmo.org/adopt to see when they become available.

To report an animal that may be in danger or is suffering from neglect or abuse, call the local police and the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Hotline at 314.647.4400.

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