Rescue starts with a second chance.
Stray Paws Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, foster-based rescue serving the St. Louis Metro Area. We rescue dogs and cats in need, provide them with the care and support they deserve, and work to find them loving, permanent homes.
Foster-Based
Animals live in foster homes
Dogs & Cats
Every animal deserves a chance
St. Louis Metro
Serving our local community
Looking for a Forever Home
Meet Our Animals
Get to know some of the dogs and cats currently in our care and looking for their forever families.
An application is required to meet or adopt an animal.
Mark Your Calendar
What's Happening
Upcoming events, fundraisers, adoption events, and ways to get involved.
Oct
9
Upcoming Event
Anzac Development Adoption Event
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Upcoming Event
Anzac Development Adoption Event
Oct 09, 2026 • 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
9979 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126, USA
Oct
10
Upcoming Event
International Food and Dance Festival + Adoption Event
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Upcoming Event
International Food and Dance Festival + Adoption Event
Oct 10, 2026 • 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
New Town
🌎🐾 INTERNATIONAL FOOD & DANCE FESTIVAL + ADOPTION EVENT! 🐾🌎 Come experience a day filled with food, music, dancing, shopping and cultures from around the world — and Stray Paws Rescue will be there with adoptable dogs looking for their forever families! 🐶❤️ 📅 Saturday, October 10 ⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 📍 New Town 3420 Civic Circle Dr., St. Charles, MO 🌮 Experience flavors from around the world 💃 Music & dancing from Mexico, Ireland, Germany, Spain & more! 🛍️ Shop, explore & enjoy the festivities 🐶 Meet adoptable dogs from Stray Paws Rescue! Come for the food, music and fun… and you just might meet your new best friend! 🥹🐾❤️ Please SHARE and help us spread the word!
Oct
11
Upcoming Event
Adoption Event at Florissant Fall Festival
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Upcoming Event
Adoption Event at Florissant Fall Festival
Oct 11, 2026 • 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
560 Rue St Charles St, Florissant, MO 63031, USA
Oct
17
Upcoming Event
Subaru Adoption Event St. Louis
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Upcoming Event
Subaru Adoption Event St. Louis
Oct 17, 2026 • 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
900 N Lindbergh Blvd, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Oct
18
Upcoming Event
Grandma's Cookies Adoption Event
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Upcoming Event
Grandma's Cookies Adoption Event
Oct 18, 2026 • 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Grandma's Cookies, 401 S Main St, St Charles, MO 63301, USA
🍪🐾 GRANDMA’S COOKIES ADOPTION EVENT 🐾🍪 Cookies AND adoptable dogs?! We’re pretty sure this is the perfect Saturday. 😂🐶🍪 Stray Paws Rescue is heading to Grandma’s Cookies with some adorable adoptable pups looking for their forever families! 📅 Saturday, October 18 ⏰ 11 AM – 2 PM 📍 Grandma’s Cookies 401 S Main St, St. Charles, MO 63301 Come for the cookies. Stay for the puppy kisses. Leave wondering if you really need “just one more puppy.” 😏🐾 ❤️ SAVE THE DATE & SHARE! Your future best friend might just be waiting for you!
Community Impact
Together, our community gives animals the second chance they deserve.
605
Animal Intake 2025
Animals welcomed into our rescue
581
Animals Adopted 2025
Animals placed into loving homes
73
Volunteers
People making a difference
Every number represents a life changed.
How You Can Help
There are many ways to make a difference in the lives of animals waiting for their second chance.
Adopt
Find a forever friend among our lovable animals and make a difference in their lives!
Foster
Become a foster parent and give a temporary home to animals awaiting adoption!
Volunteer
Your time and love can make a big impact—help out with events, adoption drives, and more!
Donate
Your financial support can make a difference in the lives of many animals search for a home.
What Sets Stray Paws Rescue Apart?
We believe rescue should be about more than simply finding a home. We are committed to doing what is best for each animal, even when the road is difficult.
Committed to the Toughest Cases
We pull major medical cases, including dogs with severe injuries, illnesses, and special needs.
Rescue Across 11 States
We pull dogs from high-kill shelters across 11 states, giving them a second chance at life.
No Same-Day Adoptions
We prioritize finding the right home, not just any home, ensuring a great fit for both the pet and adopter.
Home Visits for Every Adoption
We conduct home visits to ensure each pet is placed in a safe, loving, and suitable environment.
Fostering is Always Free
We cover all supplies, vetting, and food for fosters. The only requirement? Love and care.
Training Support
We invest in training resources, including professional board-and-train programs when necessary.
No Breed Discrimination
We welcome all breeds and advocate for misunderstood ones, including bully breeds.
Emergency Rescue Ready
We respond to urgent situations, pulling animals in danger from disasters and neglect cases.
We Take Owner Surrenders When We Can
Unlike many rescues, we try to help responsible owners who truly have no other option.
We Don't Stack Dogs in Kennels
Every dog in our care is given space, comfort, and enrichment to reduce stress.
Lifelong Commitment
If an adopter needs help, we remain a resource for the life of the pet.
Volunteer & Animal of the Month
Celebrating the people who make rescue possible and the animals who remind us why we do it.
Volunteer Spotlight
Jeanne
While working a full-time job, Jeanne still
finds the time to help keep our social media
running smoothly and assist with our
fundraising efforts.
🐾 Click to read more about Jeanne's
incredible work.
Volunteer Spotlight
Jeanne
While working a full-time job, Jeanne still finds the time to help keep our social media running smoothly and assist with our fundraising efforts.
🐾 Click to read more about Jeanne's incredible work.
While working a full-time job, Jeanne still finds the time to help keep our social media running smoothly and assist with our fundraising efforts. Her dedication behind the scenes helps us share our mission, raise critical funds, and give our animals the best chance at finding loving homes.
Her passion, commitment, and countless hours of volunteer work make a tremendous difference to Stray Paws Rescue. We are so grateful for everything she does and are lucky to have her as part of our team.
🐾 Thank you, Jeanne, for all of your hard work and dedication. We appreciate you more than words can express! ❤️🐾
Featured Animal
Harvey
Hey there, hoomans! 🐕 It's me, Harvey,
and I'm here to tell you my story—my tail,
if you will. Life hasn't always been easy,
but boy, let me tell ya, things have sure
turned around for this doggo.
🐾 Click to read Harvey's full story.
Featured Animal
Harvey
Hey there, hoomans! 🐕 It's me, Harvey, and I'm here to tell you my story—my tail, if you will. Life hasn't always been easy, but boy, let me tell ya, things have sure turned around for this doggo.
🐾 Click to read Harvey's full story.
Hey there, hoomans! 🐕 It's me, Harvey, and I'm here to tell you my story—my tail, if you will. Life hasn't always been easy, but boy, let me tell ya, things have sure turned around for this doggo. So, grab a snack (I'd recommend a good bone 🦴) and let me take you through my journey from the streets to my cozy throne! 👑
Once upon a time, I was a shop dog. Life was pretty routine—until one day, it wasn't. I got hit by a car (or something; it's all a blur now). My bones were shattered, my legs dislocated, and, to make things worse, my “family” just stopped caring. They didn't feed me, let me inside, or even say goodbye 😔. But I stayed close to the shop anyway—I guess I'm loyal like that. 🥲
Things got pretty ruff. I dragged myself around looking for scraps, and my legs got worse and worse until they were necrotic. (I know, not a pretty picture 😬.) One day, a kind human found me. It took hours to convince me to leave my spot—I mean, I didn't trust anyone at this point, right? But this human brought me to the vet, and everything changed from there. ❤️
Now here's where it gets good! 🐾
I'm living the dream, my friends. 🥰 After all that, I ended up in a fospice forever home with the best foster momma in the world! You'd think after everything I've been through, I'd be all gloomy, but no way! I'm healthy, happy, and let me tell you—plump and proud! 😎
🐕🦺 My momma takes such good care of me and my foster sister, Milagra, who's also a special case from Stray Paws Rescue. Together, we're like a little squad of medical marvels. ✨ And even though I've been through a double amputation (yup, lost both back legs) and heartworm treatment, you know what? I wag my tail every single day. Yup, that's right—the vets said I wouldn't be able to, but guess who's wagging now?! 😏💪
💤
Chill vibes only
Low energy, high on comfort!
🐾
Cuddle King
A master of snuggles.
💖
Friendly as can be
Loves humans and other dogs.
It's been two whole years since my surgery, and let me tell you, life couldn't be better. I may have been through some tough stuff, but now I'm the king of my own little castle, and nothing beats that.
So, to all of you out there—don't give up on us doggos. We may have scars and missing parts, but our hearts are bigger than you could ever imagine. Thanks to my amazing foster momma, I've been able to show the world just how strong and loving we can be.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a warm spot on the couch calling my name 🛋️. Life is good, friends. Life is real good. 🐾❤️
Forever wagging,
Harvey