Center for Animal Rescue & Enrichment of St. Louis

Reasons why a dog may be added to the LifeSaver Initiative

​

Behavior:

These may be behaviors observed in the shelter or behaviors observed if the dog was in a foster home.

​

Length of Stay (LOS):

This is how long the dog has been at our shelter without leaving even once. Dogs are automatically added to the LifeSaver Initiative after 30 days because the longer they are at the shelter, the more stressed they will become. This helps ensure that no dog falls through the cracks. We aim to decrease the length of stay at the shelter and increase the quality of life for all dogs in our care.

​

Quality of Life (QOL):

The longer a dog is at the shelter, the worse its quality of life will be. It is also challenging to provide necessary enrichment when the shelter is overcrowded, as it currently is. Dogs who spend months in a shelter may begin deteriorating or medically suffering (refusing to eat, panting/barking all day long, spinning, and other concerns). At this point, we must evaluate whether it is humane to keep this dog in our care longer. 

​

While every effort is made for every dog, it is not impossible for a dog to bypass the Lifesavers Initiative and its process and move to humane euthanasia if the situation warrants it. Dogs with a multiple bite history or for medical reasons might be an example.

​

We understand that euthanasia is difficult; however, we also have a responsibility to relieve an animal’s suffering when they are in pain or experiencing a poor quality of life at the shelter, and we have exhausted all efforts. We are also responsible for keeping St. Louis city residents safe by not placing animals in the community we feel may be unsafe. 

​

These are instances when a humane decision may be made. Multiple people on the CARE Leadership Team make these decisions, which are shared with our staff and volunteers. These decisions are made after all efforts are exhausted and weigh heavily on those who must make them.

​​

These dogs are currently part of our LifeSaver Initiative and are a priority to move out of the shelter. Unless otherwise noted, all of these dogs are eligible to go to a foster home.

​

There are many ways that you can help these dogs and help us keep more dogs off this list: Adopt, Foster, or Volunteer today!

All adoption fees for these dogs are fee-waived to get them into homes.
Please email lifesaver@carestl.org if you want to adopt or foster one of these dogs. You may also come to the shelter during open hours to meet any dog; no appointment is required.