Several rescue groups that have experience with the breeds of animals rescued have offered their help to care for and eventually receive some of the dogs. Groups involved so far in these efforts include Mutts-n-Stuff, based in Missouri; Our Pack, Broken Hearts, Mended Souls; PBRC.net; Whole Rotta Love; and New Hope Pit Bull Rescue.

“We are very grateful that these groups have stepped up to help us care for and eventually give some of them a second chance,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of Operations for the Humane Society of Missouri and incident commander for the emergency temporary shelter. “We hope to place as many of these dogs as possible so we need more groups and individuals like them to contact us offering places for these deserving animals.”

While the groups involved in this situation are working independently, there is talk of forming a Pit Bull Rescue Alliance in a collaborative effort to save more dogs from fighting situations in the future. For now, these groups encourage others to join them in coming forward to take in the placeable dogs from this rescue when they are available.

The day’s festivities include a world class polo match, music and food, and children’s activities making it a perfect family event for a Saturday afternoon.

Meet Thumbelina, The World's Smallest Horse and Barn Buddy TV Stars from the Humane Society's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch like Mama Llama, Petey the potbellied pig, Twister the miracle colt and more.

The Humane Society of Missouri proudly partners with the Saint Louis Zoo in sponsoring a presentation by Karen Pryor. 

Karen Pryor is an author with an international reputation in the fields of marine mammal biology and behavioral psychology. Through her work with dolphins in the 1960s, she pioneered modern, force-free animal training methods, and became an authority on applied operant conditioning - the art and science of changing behavior with positive reinforcement. Zoo and animal trainers will recognize her as the author of Don’t Shoot the Dog, a classic book on animal training. She is the founder and CEO of Karen Pryor Clicker Training.

Karen will be here to speak about her new book, Reaching the Animal Mind. She shares the results of her quest to find out from leading neuroscientists why clicker training works and shares her personal experiences training and communicating with a wide variety of species. There will also be a book signing at the event.

Date: September 22, 2009
Time: 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Location: The Living World at the Saint Louis Zoo
Cost: General Public - $25; Humane Society of Missouri Members, Volunteers and Employees - $10; Saint Louis Zoo Members, Volunteers and Employees - $10

For more information visit our website.

Proceeds from this event benefit the Saint Louis Zoo and the Humane Society of Missouri Behavior Department.

We recognize that pets are beloved members of our families. Many people experience the loss or serious illness of a pet as a significant event in their lives and need support in their grief.

People lose their pets in a variety of ways: death of the pet, a pet who escapes from home and is not recovered, and changes in the life of a person that force him/her to surrender a pet, like serious illness or moving into a nursing home.

If you are grieving the loss or illness of a pet, we invite you to attend our Pet Loss Support Group. You will be surrounded by others who understand your grief, and the group will be facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker. There is no charge to attend this group. For more information, please contact Sarah J. Wildt, LCSW, Bethesda Hospice Care Social Worker & Bereavement Assistant, 636-667-0229 or sjwildt@gmail.com

For caring and supportive materials dedicated to helping those who have faced or are facing the loss of a beloved pet and best friend, phone (314) 951-1579 or e-mail the education department.