Animal Cruelty Task Force Responding to Areas Affected by May 16 Tornado

UPDATE | June 10

On June 9, the city of St. Louis opened a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) to help those affected by the tornado. This has been a big team effort, and HSMO’s team is so happy to be able to help those in need.

In addition to our presence at the DAC, our Animal Cruelty Task Force has been out in the community every day with pet food. In less than a month, we have given out more than 18,300 lbs. of Purina pet food, and are currently housing more than 100 tornado-affected pets.

Thank you to all of you who have helped us help those in need. We couldn’t do it without all of you.

UPDATE | May 28

Our Animal Cruelty Task Force has rescued more than 20 stray animals from tornado devastated area of St. Louis. We have also taken in animals needing temporary shelter and several owner-surrenders from the affected area. In total, as a result of its disaster response from the tornado, HSMO is caring for 56 animals in our shelters and the numbers continue to rise each day.

In addition, through our partnership with Purina, we have provided just over 10,000 pounds of dog and cat food to people in the area, including Red Cross shelters that allow pets and individuals who have contacted HSMO for help.

“Responding to natural disasters throughout the United States has always been a part of the Animal Cruelty Task Force’s work, and they’re used to going into areas that have suffered devastating storms,” said HSMO President Kathy Warnick. “We know that people will go to great lengths to keep their pets, even when they’ve lost everything else, and if we can help in some way to keep pets and their people together, we will.”

UPDATE | May 22

Our Animal Cruelty Task Force has been boots on the ground all week helping our community that has been devastated by an EF3 tornado. Since Monday, May 19, our ACT has given out more than 4,000 lbs of pet food to those affected by the storms. Yes, you read that right. 4 THOUSAND POUNDS.

We are beyond grateful to Purina, who has provided us pet food that our neighbors so desperately need.

We have also welcomed pets that are in need of a safe place to stay while their owners focus on rebuilding.

The best way to help us here at HSMO right now is to foster and adopt! Visit hsmo.org/adopt or stop by one of our two locations to help a shelter pet in need.

ORIGINAL POST | May 19, 2025

The devastating EF3 tornado that ripped through the St. Louis region on May 16 has displaced hundreds of people and pets from their homes and communities.

Our Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) is designated by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) as the lead animal welfare organization to respond to emergencies and disasters in Missouri. Our ACT team is deploying to affected areas in the region to offer aid to those in need. If you have been unable to get to your pets in these areas, please contact our ACT at 314.647.4400.

During this time, we need your help as a community! By adopting or fostering a pet from the Humane Society of Missouri, you are freeing up space for us to be able to care for pets from disaster-affected areas. Visit hsmo.org/adopt or stop by one of our two locations to help a shelter pet in need.

We will be posting more information in the coming days about how you can help us help those in need in St. Louis during this difficult time.