Humane Society of Missouri hands out 4,000+ pounds of pet food, water after STL tornado
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - In the aftermath of the deadly tornado that swept through parts of the St. Louis region, one organization is taking a unique approach to recovery, helping both people and their pets.
The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) has deployed a fleet of supply-packed vehicles, delivering pet food, water and offering temporary boarding for animals impacted by the severe weather.
For Damian Webb, a North City resident, the storm was a first for both him and his seven-month-old puppy, Juju.
“She was under the bed shaking,” Webb said. “It was her first storm.”
Webb lives in the Greater Ville neighborhood, one of the areas hardest hit by the storms. His home remains standing, but the storm left busted windows, a leaking ceiling and a roof in need of repair.
“You can never prepare for it until you’re actually going through it,” he said.
With money tight and repairs looming, Webb is doing what he can to keep things together, including feeding Juju. That’s where HSMO comes in.
“This is our home, this is where we’re at, so we’re ready to go above and beyond,” said Ella Frank, HSMO Director of the Animal Cruelty Task Force.
Inside HSMO’s downtown shelter, shelves that were once packed with pet food now sit nearly empty. More than 4,000 pounds of food have already been distributed since the storm seven days ago, all donated by Purina.
“In a disaster, in a crisis, being able to keep your pet near you can be such a comfort,” Frank said.
That comfort is exactly what Juju has been for Webb.
“She did good for her first storm,” he said.
And while the damage is overwhelming, Webb says the community response has been just as powerful.
“Neighborhoods and community came out and started helping, that was a wonderful thing to witness.”
The Humane Society of Missouri is currently at capacity and is strongly encouraging fostering to make room for incoming animals. To learn more, click here.
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