Both rescues are dedicated to getting the dogs off the streets. With theses freezing temperatures, the dogs are literally freezing to death. Before the dogs can be rescued, they need to find a place for them.
Stray Rescue is now responsible for ALL stray and abandoned dogs in St. Louis, yet they don't get any money from the city; they still survive on donations. They have three shelters, Pine being brand new and is already overfilled. They need fosters to deal with the overload. They are taking in over a hundred dogs a week, and that was before the cold temps.
Gateway Pet Guardians does not have a shelter and relies on fosters for every dog they save. They go through East St. Louis and feed the dogs every day and save the ones they can. They get to know these dogs, fall in love with them, and the dogs get to know them and can't wait to see them. They desperately need fosters so they can save these guys from freezing to death.
Imagine loving a dog and taking care of him/her, and then having to drive away, not knowing whether the dog will survive the night to see you again. That's what the rescuers (particularly PJ from Gateway and Randy Grim from SR) are dealing with right now. Imagine the heartbreak of finding one of those beloved dogs dead because you couldn't get to him fast enough.
If you're in a position to help, please do so. You can literally help save a life. If you can't, then please pass the word on. You never know who you might know that is in a position to help. Thank you.
on January 12, 2011, 3:44 pm