Animal Cruelty Task Force

Animal Cruelty Task Force is made up of Professional Humane Officers and Statewide Investigators who conduct investigations of alleged cases of abuse and neglect of animals. The St. Louis Division Humane Officers are on call 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year to rescue animals in distress, pick-up unwanted animals, and transport sick and/or injured stray animals. Special training and state-of-the-art equipment allow our Humane Officers to handle even the most difficult rescues.

St. Louis Division

Our Humane Officers are responsible for rescuing animals, picking up sick, injured and unwanted animals, and conducting investigations of alleged cases of abuse and neglect of animals in the St. Louis Metropolitan region.

Humane Officers deal with a variety of situations, from rescuing animals in distress to educating pet owners about providing proper care, shelter, and a healthy environment for their animals. Five rescue vehicles with cages and rescue equipment, a horse ambulance, and a rescue truck equipped with a special hydraulic-lift bucket, enable Humane Officers to save and/or improve the lives of hundreds of animals each year.

Each year, the St. Louis Division responds to more than 10,000 calls and Humane Officers cover more than 122,000 miles to prevent neglect and abuse of animals.

Statewide Division

Our Statewide Division Investigators are a safety net for animals in areas where little or no local animal care and control exists. The Humane Society of Missouri's experienced Statewide Investigators investigate hundreds of complaints of neglected or abused animals in 114 counties throughout Missouri.

Investigators consult with local Sheriffs' Departments and Prosecuting Attorney's to ensure animal cases are handled in an expedient and professional manner. When it is necessary for animals to be removed from an abusive situation, Statewide Investigators work closely with the staff at the Large Animal Rehabilitation Center, The Adoption Center and the St. Louis Division to provide temporary shelter and care.

Statewide Investigators help educate the public about better methods of caring for their animals. They also provide knowledgeable and expert testimony in legal cases, legislative changes, and provide consultation and training workshops for law enforcement, state agencies and local animal care and control workers.