Animal Rescue & Investigation

The Humane Society of Missouri's Animal Cruelty Task Force works with law enforcement statewide to:

• Investigate cases of animal abuse and neglect
• Educate pet owners about proper care
• Rescue animals in need
• Bring perpetrators of animal cruelty to justice

Valentine's Story

Our Animal Cruelty Task Force investigators work year-round to rescue animals in need - animals like Valentine.

Valentine's story with the Humane Society began when a distraught cat owner contacted us to report that his cat had been impaled with an arrow, shot by an angry neighbor, who was reportedly retaliating because the caller's outside cat had attacked his outside cat.

The arrow pierced and became lodged in both of Valentine's front legs.  Valentine eluded rescue by his owner, local animal control and police officers for five days and was last seen limping underground into a drain pipe.

Humane Society of Missouri investigators climbed into the drainage pipe - only 24 inches wide - to get to Valentine.  Underground, they discovered the cat motionless but alive.  The arrow was still embedded in one of his legs and the wounds were badly infected.

The cat's owner surrendered Valentine to the Humane Society of Missouri, where he received veterinary care, including antibiotics, regular wound irrigations, and neuter surgery.  He was also restricted to cage rest while his two fractured ulnas healed.

Valentine continued his recuperation with a volunteer foster family.

Finally, after four months of care, Valentine was well enough to be adopted.  He was adopted by a loving family in St. Charles, who promised that Valentine would stay inside, out of danger.

The man who shot Valentine was charged with Class A Misdemeanor Animal Abuse and served 10 days of his 90-day suspended sentence in jail.

Please Help Us

Our Animal Cruelty Task Force works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in all counties of the state.  Please help ensure that we have the resources to complete our many rescue operations, both large and small.

To support the Animal Cruelty Fund, please click here.

To report suspected animal abuse or neglect in Missouri, please call 314.647.4400 or click here.  Reports are taken 24 hours a day and can be made confidentially.

 Animal Cruelty Fund Homepage

Report Animal Abuse

Donate to the Animal Cruelty Fund