Our History and Mission
“Men will be just toward men when they are charitable toward animals.”
Henry Bergh, Founder of the American Humane Movement
Our Mission
HSMO Through the Years
Admirers of Henry Bergh’s philosophies found the Humane Society of Missouri, just four years after Bergh’s first ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is founded in New York City. Sketchy records indicate that George Patridge is the first president for the Humane Society of Missouri. Business is conducted from a small, one-room office in downtown St. Louis at 1618 Carr Street. Animals were housed in an old, weather-beaten shed, and during cold weather, were brought inside the office, where business went on as usual.
Back in New York, Mary Ellen, a 10-year-old abused and neglected child, was carried by Bergh into the courtroom wrapped in a horse blanket. The child displayed a mass of scars from repeated beatings and mutilations and was severely malnourished. However, according to the laws of the day, she was completely at the mercy of her mother. Bergh asked that the child be treated like a “dumb animal” and placed into the hands of the ASPCA as animals were now protected from this kind of abuse. The unprecedented verdict states that Mary Ellen would be committed to “the Sheltering Arms” of the ASPCA. Her mother was sentenced to prison for one year.
John Lichter donates $30,000 for a new building to be located at 1210 Macklind Avenue. The donation was made in memory of his wife, Irene, who had been a director for the Humane Society of Missouri for many years.
It is revealed that Miss Mary Mitchell (the animal-loving socialite) had contributed more than $50,000 to cover annual deficits throughout a period of 15 years. In an effort to help curb violent behavior, the Humane Society of Missouri gives cameras to boys in exchange for air rifles. The theory behind this practice is “It’s better to shoot with a camera than with a gun.”
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch creates a tradition with the introduction of “Dog of the Week”, later changed to “Pet of the Week”
The first female veterinarian in the state of Missouri, Dr. Suzanne Saueressig joins the Humane Society of Missouri as a staff clinician. Originally from Germany, Dr. Saueressig hopes to learn as much as possible about American veterinary medicine and then travel on to South America and Africa to continue her learning process. However, shocked by the horrific pet overpopulation problem in the United States, Dr. Saueressig instead begins a 50+-year career with the Humane Society of Missouri, “chipping away at an iceberg with a teaspoon.”
Dr. Suzanne Saueressig is promoted to Chief of Staff and is forever affectionately known by Humane Society of Missouri staff as “Chief”.
Two additional hospital wards are added to relieve the crowded conditions in the nearly 40-year-old building. Improved surgical and preparation facilities are another feature of this department. Also added are a self-contained laundry and sterilization room; improved laboratory facilities; a 120-seat humane education auditorium for use by employees, school children, civic groups and animal-related organizations; and a fleet of 10 vehicles, including two animal ambulances, an investigation unit and an education vehicle called “Know Us Ark”.
The resident veterinarians quarters built in 1940 are converted to administration offices.
To help relieve the overcrowding problem at the Macklind Avenue location, Elizabeth N. Parrish donates funds for a branch facility located in Maryland Heights.
A pioneering idea by Sue Gassner, director of education, and KMOX radio personality Jack Carney pairs older pets with senior citizens through the Golden Friendship program. (This program was taken to a nationwide level through the Ralston Purina “Pets for People” program, directed by Kathryn Wright.)
Governor Kit Bond signs into law the revised statute allowing, for the first time in Missouri history, search and seizure warrants to be obtained to aid in the rescue of abused or neglected animals. This historical signing takes place in the Humane Society of Missouri auditorium.
Volunteers from the St. Louis community, animal control and other rescue groups join Humane Society of Missouri employees in a daring rescue of more than 55 horses at Creve Coeur Stables, saving these horses from drowning after the Missouri River levy surrenders to flood waters.
The Humane Society of Missouri opens its Large-Animal Rehabilitation Center at the George H. Packwood Animal Sanctuary and Longmeadow Farm in Union, Missouri. Situated on 165 acres of land positioned in a valley surrounded by trees, the rehabilitation center is home to abused and neglected horses, cows, goats and other farm animals while they are rehabilitated and placed up for adoption.
Kids For Critters Camp is created, allowing St. Louis children an opportunity to spend one week during their summer vacation learning about the joys and responsibilities of caring for pets.
The Humane Society of Missouri makes it mandatory for each animal adopted to receive a microchip implanted between its shoulder blades. The microchip, detected by a scanner found at all area animal shelters and veterinarian offices, enables the Humane Society of Missouri to increase reunions between lost pets with their owners by nearly 75 percent.
Carol Gates Throop Park officially opens to the public with Paws in the Park, a celebration with community representatives, including St. Louis Mayor Clarence Harmon, and St. Louis County Executive Buzz Westfall, immortalizing their handprints and their pets’ pawprints in cement at the entrance of the park. Built on the site of our former headquarters as a tribute to the countless millions of people and pets who were helped during the nearly 70 years at that location, Carol Gates Throop Memorial Park contains a columbarium where pet lovers may inter their pet’s ashes. Personalized bricks inscribed with donors’ names are among the fundraising opportunities available from the park’s creation. Add your tribute »
Former employee Kathryn Wright Warnick returns to the Humane Society of Missouri, this time as President and Executive Director.
