Very few pets make it out of the shelter alive! Most are bagged up after they are killed by lethal injection and taken to our city landfill to be bulldozed over into the soil along with public garbage!

    The few exceptions are those that are rescued by the limited number of rescue groups (only Missouri licensed groups are allowed to pull). The ridiculousness of that is Missouri is already inundated with too many companion animals, thus not that many Missouri groups have room to rescue.  The out of state rescue groups that have great foster programs and are not overwhelmed by the "puppy mill" decease are simply not allowed to take any pets from the shelter.  Now isn't that insane? You probably wonder?, Have rescue groups tried to change this!?  Certainly they have...but that place is run like a gestapo!  One group always has precedence over the others, no matter what.  So, if a rescue group decides they have room for a few pets to save...they tag them and then they have to wait to see if C.A.R.E. decides they want them or not.  Many groups have simply "given up". The Excuses for No Public Adoptions!?

1. Not a big enough facility

2. Would cost to have an employee there.

3. Liability Issues for public to be at the shelter.

4. Vaccinations, paper work etc would be costly.

Many rescue groups have offered to provide solutions to these issues, but so far the answer has been a flat "NO"!

  CONTACT: http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/health/database/animalcontrol/index.js                                   

     We really can be a wonderful addition to a family.

                                 Give us one more chance....please!

CONTACT: http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/health/database/animalcontrol/index.jsp    

         TO GET  US  OUT OF HERE !

                Better come quickly!  They only have to hold us five days!   the rest of the story is very sad, because if one of the local rescue groups does not rescue us...our lives must be humanely ended by euthanasia.  No city wants to have to euthanize, however, they have little choice, considering  irresponsible ownership & the large numbers of pets that end up unwanted, abused & neglected.  The citizens are "public enemy # 1" for pets.  Spaying/neutering is the number one prevention to the problem of course.  Providing your pet  with a safe, loving home is another factor (many pets get adopted into homes with no fence  & are often adopted with the "good intentions" of being walked for exercise or potty breaks.  Soon, bad weather appears, or an important phone call ...the next thing you know the dog is "AT LARGE" and is picked up by "Animal Control".  Once again a pet becomes the victim of irresponsible ownership. PLEASE, if you are a pet owner or intend to become one, remember, it is you that must take care of them!  Animal Control Agencies are not their enemy.  You may be!     

        CHECK http://www.ci.springfield.mo.us/health/database/animalcontrol/index.jsp

          Many of us ended up impounded because of being the silly, fearless, inquisitive, active & acrobatic creatures that we are.  However, unfortunately, most of us are here due to the negligence of our human owners.  Sadly enough, one in four purebred dogs end up in a shelter, hoping to be adopted by someone more responsible than their past owner.  The other throw aways are usually what have been classically called MUTTS (my favorites) & the hard, cold facts are that not too many people are willing to adopt them...especially if they are a large black dog. 

        As cities grow, as Springfield has so quickly done, the dog population grew with it, resulting in an onslaught of dog problems.  Government, there for the public protection & for the protection of the animal is forced to make "logical" decisions as to how to handle those problems.  Most of the public often views the methods as somewhat inhumane & barbaric.  Realistically,  they are not usually what we as true animal lovers would like to see.  However, the fact is...It is the dog owner, purchaser, breeder, animal abuser, animal abandoner & animal neglecter that is guilty of all of those problems.  Government simply tries to "clean up the mess."  Watch this video on the ugly, but necessary task of most county, city animal shelters:

This is a very well kept shelter that is doing everything that they can to prevent these atrocities

        With approximately 65,000 pet owners in the Springfield, Mo. area and no   SPAY/NEUTER ordinance on the books, the responsibility is in the lap of the pet owner, where it should be.  Sadly, the majority refuse to step up to the plate and do their part.  Consequently, many pets are left either on the streets, in back yards or in the shelter with no one to retrieve them.

            The Pet Connection may remove pets from the shelter.  Our policy is that they go directly to a veterinarian for spay/neuter and their vaccinations(at the adopters expense) and then into a permanent home.  There are no exceptions regarding this rule !  If you are interested in adopting one of the pets that you see on this page...simply call The Pet Connection(417-823-PETS) or email your interest and someone will return your call.  You can email us at pet4u@sbcglobal.net 

                    How you can help: save a pet from euthanasia.

    1. Become a foster family! (We provide everything, food, vet care, crate... all      you provide is the safe, loving, temporary home.  

    2. Sponsor a pet's spay/neuter, vaccinations & care with a tax deductible, monetary donation.  

    3.  Help with transporting a pet to or from the vet or new shelter.

             All of us should be involved in stopping the unnecessary & 

                      wasteful killing of these precious pets.

  This is a tough video to watch...but if you really want to know, feel and be able to experience the results of overpopulation of pets...thie is a must.  It is done in a nice, clean, progressive shelter...not our cities.  Our urbanizations are done in a garage of Animal Control...there is nothing pleasant about them here. Please watch if you are thinking about "giving up your pet".  

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpDE6Vx_QU