Stray Rescue of St. Louis has been a leading rescue organization in Missouri for over two decades, making a significant difference by rescuing dogs that many would overlook—those abandoned, injured, or frightened. This organization provides these pups a second chance when no one else will.
Donna Lochmann from Stray Rescue of St. Louis has dedicated over 20 years to rescuing dogs and giving them opportunities for better lives. Each day she is engaged in rescue efforts, but some cases resonate more deeply – like this one.
A Furry Family Hiding In The Bush
Experienced rescuers like Donna know that the streets can appear calm, but everything can change in an instant. While driving through St. Louis, she spotted a dirty female dog, swollen with milk, clearly searching for food after giving birth. Donna offered her food, hoping the dog would lead her to her puppies once she had eaten.
“I hoped that she would return to her puppies after eating, as there are many hiding spots in this area filled with abandoned houses and brush,” Donna explained.
Following the mother dog through the bushes, Donna heard the frantic cries of one of the puppies, which had fallen into a twenty-inch deep pipe, terrified and calling for help.
“At the bottom of the pipe, I found a six-week-old black puppy, whimpering and crying. Initially terrified, her tail started wagging once she was safe in the jeep,” Donna recalled.
As Donna made her way through the woods, the mother dog kept barking and moving further away, leading her to discover more puppies. She soon found a couple of small black puppies around six weeks old, making it challenging to capture them.
“I had to retrieve one puppy at a time, carrying them to the jeep as they squirmed in my arms. Once all four were safe inside, I went to find Mom,” Donna shared.
Something Surprising Then Happened
Upon returning to the area, Donna found another adult female dog hiding alongside the mama dog. Surprisingly, there were two adult females present.
“This one had two black ears. It was unclear if they were siblings or an adult offspring from a previous litter. They remained close together, cautiously moving through the weeds and abandoned lots,” Donna explained.
Catching the two adult dogs proved difficult, and after several ineffective attempts with traps, Donna decided to leave and return the following day.
After a restless night, Donna returned and successfully captured the other dog, thanks to the food.
“She was scared and nervous. We wanted to get her in the jeep quickly to avoid distressing noises that could alert the mom. As we drove away, we saw her friend sitting alone in the field—a heart-wrenching moment,” she said.
Returning to search for the second dog proved fruitless after hours of waiting, forcing Donna to devise a new plan for the following day.
Tears Of Joy
Unlike the other dog, the mama dog was not swayed by food and refused to enter the trap. A different approach was necessary.
“Instead of food, we used a soiled blanket and pee pads from her puppies’ foster home. After setting the trap, we even played a video recording of the first puppy crying in the pipe,” Donna explained.
Finally, it worked! Arriving early the next morning, they were relieved to find the mama dog resting in the trap.
Despite her fear, she remained quiet while being carefully transported to their facility. After days of relentless effort to rescue the entire family, an overwhelming relief enveloped the team, moving them to tears.
“They will receive all the love in the world and become part of a family,” Donna concluded.
