The part of Missouri near St. Louis has experienced severe flooding, and it is putting animal shelters at risk. Two rescue organizations reported flooding in their kennels, prompting them to evacuate all dogs in care. Many foster parents have stepped up to help dogs in need.
These shelters are in dire need of donations as they continue to operate amid the flooding. While helping their adopted dogs, they are also doing their best to help dog parents in the community.
Emergency foster home
Gateway Pet Guardians and Stray Paws Adoptables both have experienced severe flooding in their facilities. Sadly, ten pups drowned in the flood at Stray Paws because it was too deep for them to stand, but all the adult dogs at both locations survived.
The poor dogs had to stand in the water in their kennels until help arrived. Both shelters are evacuating their dogs from kennel spaces and reaching out to the community for help. They need foster homes immediately and of course, volunteers and donations. They ended up getting more support than they could have imagined.
“We are looking for foster owners to bring dogs and cats from our shelter TODAY so we can help get as many as possible!” Gateway Pet Guardians wrote.
Stray Paws Adoptables received more than 100 pet applications, while Gateway Pet Guardians received more than 1,000. Gateway Pet Guardians even has a fence for people who want to take home a pet dog.
Of course, shelter is always possible benefit from foster homes, but now, it’s more important than ever. Temporary homes will allow shelters to clean and repair their facilities without having to worry about reaching capacity when new dogs arrive.
What can you help?
All dogs currently in shelters have now found foster homes. It’s not clear how long those dogs will be in the care, but hopefully, more families can keep them until adoption. Even with all the support they have received, both organizations still need to contribute more than usual.
Gateway Pet Guardians has received over $45,000 in donations to date, and supply donations are encouraged as well. Stray Paws Adoptables doesn’t share the type of donation they need most, but Gateway Pet Guardians created a list of donations they’re looking for:
- Big dog crate
- Stainless steel bowl
- Cat carrier
- Sanitary sand
- Potty Pads
- Toys for dogs
- Cat toys
- Compensation training
If you want to help these homes get back on track, you can donate to Stray Paws Adoptables and/or Gateway Pet Guardians. And if you live in Missouri, consider adopting a new furry friend! This is a tragedy no one saw coming, but it looks like the shelters will be fine, thanks to the overwhelming support.
