Joplin Missouri Tornado: Dog Cat Pet Rescue Efforts

HSMO Joplin MO Disaster Response 

We live in the Missouri Ozarks.  We've spent a lot of time in the past few days watching the sky and taking cover from tornadoes.  We also recently made a donation to the Humane Society of Missouri for the Joplin Relief Fund.

Their Disaster Response Team is hard at work sifting through rubble in the tornado ravaged town of Joplin to find animals that need help.  70 dogs and cats have been transported from an overwhelmed vet clinic to the Joplin Humane Society, where displaced animals are being sheltered.  Many dogs and cats have also been removed from abandoned properties and taken to safety. 

These trained volunteer Disaster Relief Team members are canvassing the area to rescue distressed pets and providing carriers to residents who need help transporting their animals. 


The HSMO is the lead animal welfare agency (as named by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency) to respond to disasters and other emergencies in Missouri.  Currently, a 23 person Disaster Response Team consists of animal rescue, sheltering and veterinary professionals and trained emergency volunteers are working in the Joplin area. 

If you'd like to make a donation to help their rescue efforts, you can donate online at their web site www.hsmo.org or by phone at 314-951-1542.   You may also text SAVEPETS to 20222 to donate $10.  Follow their progress at their special, new Joplin Animal Rescue Facebook page.

The Joplin, Missouri area is being overwhelmed with donations of supplies and with volunteers, so a central clearinghouse has been set up to coordinate things.  If you wish to donate supplies, or wish to personally volunteer, to help people or pets, you need to contact the area United Way.   There you'll find up to date information about the most pressing needs. 


Please note:  people are advised NOT to travel to the area unless they've received official authorization.