ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.—The St. Louis County Animal Care and Control facility is far beyond capacity, and officials are asking the public for help. The shelter received over 40 animals Wednesday, rescuing dozens of large dogs and puppies from cruelty.
“We are short staffed. We don't have enough room. I don't believe this building is big enough or made to be a kennel,” said Malik Johnson, newly appointed facility director. “As of Monday, we were at about 260 animals. Right now, we're at 284…every time it seems like we're trending forward, we're taking a couple steps back.”
A new foster program aims to save animals from euthanasia by temporarily re-homing them. Community members can apply to help online.
“We are facing a critical situation with our large breed dogs, who need immediate attention,” said Dr. Kanika Cunningham, Director of the Department of Public Health. “By opening your heart and home through either fostering or adopting, you are giving these wonderful animals a chance to thrive and a respite from the stress of being in a shelter.”
St. Louis County assumed control of the shelter in February, reclaiming the facility from the Animal Protective Association. The APA began operating the shelter after a 2019 audit, showing euthanasia numbers at the shelter were manipulated to appear artificially low. There were also concerns about the facilities' condition and management.
County officials say they’ve improved the shelter, but have more work to do. As new staff and protocol settle in, officials are also looking to receive a state license after three failed attempts.
“We've been working overtime…to get the shelter cleaned and to find space for the animals,” Johnson said. “We have room for a lot of smaller animals, but we see large animals coming in. We've been going out and buying runs for our garage brought out by runs for our garage to make sure they have the proper kennel sizes. So the animals here make it kind of difficult.”
Between the second and third Missouri Department of Agriculture inspections, the facility saw a parvovirus outbreak that led to 19 dogs being euthanized. The MDA will inspect the shelter again Monday. If the facility passes inspection, they will receive state certification and new funding opportunities.
Councilman Dennis Hancock, a Republican from Fenton and candidate for 2026 County Executive, told Spectrum News Monday that the county’s Department of Public Health “needs to prove they can get licensed before we give them any additional funds.”
The shelter is also seeking roughly $18 million from the county’s NFL settlement, an effort led by County Executive Sam Page.
In a letter to council members, Page said the funds would supplement a $3 million request for the shelter earlier this month. The money would be used for more veterinarian offices and exam rooms, larger dog kennels, a new HVAC system for the facility and the relocation of the county’s Vector mosquito control facilities.