ST. LOUIS — A team from Stray Rescue of St. Louis set off Thursday morning after hearing about 50 dogs in a "dire situation" about two hours away, a press release from the rescue said on Wednesday.
The rescue got a call about dozens of dogs who needed help in Houston, Missouri, after their owner passed away. Stray Rescue put a team together to bring the dogs back to St. Louis. Several cars and a bus left Stray Rescue Thursday morning and headed for the property. They were told many of the dogs are pregnant as well.
A Thursday afternoon update from Stray Rescue on social media said the rescue process was going slow, as the dogs are not contained and they're working in a 12-acre area. And unfortunately, the rescue said they are bringing back more than a dozen dogs that they found deceased on the property.
"We’re not giving up, we’re going to stay as long as we have to and we’ll keep coming back. Hopefully we’ll have a better update soon," Stray Rescue wrote on social media.
Later Thursday afternoon Stray Rescue told 5 On Your Side half their team was headed back with 13 dogs they rescued, and the other half of the team was staying at the site to see if they can catch more dogs.
By Thursday night, they had rescued 19 dogs.
Here's where you can help. Stray Rescue is looking for foster families as they bring the 50 dogs back.
“Our shelter is completely full but we cannot look away or turn our backs on this,” Executive Director Cassady Caldwell said in the release. “We will be boots on the ground [Thursday] morning and hope to bring every soul home with us. We also plan to bring home those who have already passed, cremate them, and give them dignity in death.”
If you're interested in opening up your home to help foster one of the dogs, Stray Rescue said they will provide everything you need, including food, a crate, toys, blankets and medical care.
If you can't foster, but still want to help, Stray Rescue will also take monetary donations which will help with medical care, spays/neuters and vaccinations for rescued dogs.
The dogs are expected to be back in St. Louis by the end of Thursday.
If you want to foster, donate or look at Stray Rescue's wish list, click here.
