For the past 50 years, hundreds of animals across the Midwest were literally fighting to survive. They were tortured for money. They died for ‘sport’. They knew nothing of love or toys or positive attention - just fear and anxiety and abuse. Heavily chained to trees in the woods with a 55 gallon drum to call home, they lived, day after day. Born to die without ever knowing how life should be for a dog…
They woke on July 8, 2009 expecting yet another day in hell. Little did they know – help was on the way! Teams led by the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force raided properties across Missouri and Illinois removing 407 animals. Their chains were finally broken.
These dogs and their offspring became known as the Missouri 500. The horrors these animals endured had scarred their bodies, yet not broken their spirits. Most were friendly and happy to feel a kind touch. A warehouse in St. Louis was converted into a temporary shelter to house the rescued dogs. Sheltering operations lasted from July 2009 through February 2010.
It was initially predicted that only 5 – 10% of the dogs would be able to safely be placed into homes. Those numbers were blown away! Nearly half of the dogs of the Missouri 500 were placed into homes or with rescue groups.
Selena(up for adoption)
Marlin(up for adoption)
