“We’re here to help create a more caring community for the pets and residents of the City of St. Louis by implementing lifesaving partnerships with other like-minded rescue organizations, and community outreach programs."
Weng Horak, Founder and CEO
ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis, or CARE STL, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving as the official No-Kill animal shelter partner for the City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control. We provide animal regulation services and work with the City of St. Louis to enforce Title 10 of the City of St. Louis Ordinance relevant to animal care and control. We also embrace the No-Kill equation and follow the guiding principles of no-kill shelters.
We work with a network of community partners, business sponsors, adopters, donors, and volunteers to advocate for animal welfare. To get involved with CARE STL, email or call (314) 696-2444 or (314) 818-2000.
We are focused on caring for our city’s animals from inhumane treatment and to protect the public from stray, and possibly dangerous, animals.
OUR MISSION
We believe in second chances. Our primary focus is the health and safety of the animals in our care- the abused, neglected, and homeless companion animals in St. Louis city- and pairing those animals with humans to better each other. We’re dedicated to implementing a long-term, holistic solution to the pet cruelty and overpopulation epidemic in our city through educating the public on responsible pet guardianship, lifesaving partnerships, and community outreach programs.
OUR VALUES
Our core values involve providing progressive programs and services to the St. Louis City community by:
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Providing humane treatment and care for all companion animals
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Protecting animals from abuse and neglect and to rehabilitate those animals.
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Respect for the dignity and worth for all animal life, by providing humane education in the community regarding prevention of cruelty to animals.
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Proclaim that population control killing is not an act of kindness and that animals have a right to a dignified life.
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Promote the health and safety of our employees, volunteers, donors, and the public.
OUR VISION
To lead the way in innovative sheltering that nurtures all animals in body, mind, and heart until every animal has a loving home.
OUR STORY
Gasconade Dog Pound
In January 2012, the Department of Agriculture ordered the City of St. Louis Department of Health to comply with the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. The city closed the Gasconade Dog Pound to the public after it surfaced that it had inadequate ventilation, plumbing, and cages, which spread disease and hurt the animals. However, it was used as a holding tank and euthanasia facility for animal-aggressive dogs and for those that had bitten people. Gasconade also housed dogs that couldn't be sent to Stray Rescue, the nonprofit who previously partnered with the city to provide dog shelter services.
CARE was born!
In October of 2018, the City Department of Health issued a public Request for Proposal for the management of the Animal Care & Control Shelter and Weng Horak, who’s been involved in the animal welfare community for many years, submitted a proposal. Officially, this Animal Care and Control facility, or “city pound,” transitioned in name and management to CARE STL.
