Volunteers credited with saving more than 50 dogs from rising flood waters inside St. Clair County Animal Shelter

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – As flash flood water filled dozens of dog and cat kennels at the St. Clair County Animal Shelter on Tuesday, volunteers from area animal shelters rushed to save the animals stranded inside.

“It was extremely urgent to get to these animals to save them,” said Alisha Vianello, Executive Director of Gateway Pet Guardians.

Vianello’s non-profit, based in East St. Louis, sent a team of volunteers to the facility, which was made difficult by flooded roadways.

“We had vehicles loaned to us, and it took us a little bit longer because of the flooded roads,” she said. “But our efforts, combined with several other agencies in our area, we were able to get all of the dogs out.”

Gateway Pet Guardians rescued 30 of the dogs and brought them back to the shelter. After being checked out by a veterinarian, Vianello said what she saw next inspired her; a line of people was forming in the hallway, ready to step up and foster.

“Days like yesterday really give me faith in humanity again, it’s really wonderful to see the goodness in the world, people donating, coming up to help,” she said.

By the end of the day, more than 60 dogs had been fostered out, clearing nearly the entire shelter of the dogs rescued from the flood and those in the shelter.

The community’s kindness left the shelter in a rare form: quiet.

“It’s incredible, it’s never this quiet in here,” she said.

As of Wednesday night, the shelter still has four dogs in need of foster or forever families. As the shelter continues to prepare for more animals in the coming days, it is seeking donations.

If you’re interested in making a donation, fostering or adopting an animal, please call Gateway Pet Guardians at 618-687-8007.

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