Joplin Humane Society to Resume Shelter Operations Wednesday, June 15

JOPLIN, MO.--The Joplin Humane Society today announced that starting Wednesday, June 15, its shelter will resume normal operating procedures, and stray animals that are brought to the shelter will be held for seven days--instead of the post-tornado extended 14-day period--before being released for adoption. The shelter, along with the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), continues to receive stray animals displaced by the May 22 tornado that decimated one-third of the community.

To date, the ASPCA has provided sheltering for more than 1,000 animals at its emergency animal shelter adjacent to the Joplin Humane Society and reunited 400 lost pets with their families. Nearly 700 displaced animals still remain at the emergency shelter waiting to be claimed.

"Our emergency shelter continues to serve rescued animals and displaced pets in the community, but we are now looking toward placement options as we start to demobilize our operation," said Joplin native Tim Rickey, the ASPCA's senior director of Field Investigations and Response. "Nearly 700 animals are still waiting to be reunited with their families, and we want to give residents every opportunity to claim their pets. We urge anyone who is missing their pet to visit our emergency shelter as soon as possible or contact the Joplin Humane Society."

"Hundreds of pet owners have been reunited with their four-legged family members, making families whole again," added Karen Aquino, executive director of Joplin Humane Society. "But as we wind down our emergency sheltering operation and resume normal operational procedures, we will begin working with the ASPCA to find permanent homes for animals that are not claimed."

Any unclaimed animals at the emergency animal shelter will be made available for adoption during a major event hosted by the ASPCA and Joplin Humane Society on Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26. More details will be announced in the coming days.

To report lost pets, please visit the emergency animal shelter, or contact the Joplin Humane Society at (417) 623-3642 or [email protected].

More Information on the Emergency Animal Shelter:
Location: 5171 North Main Street, Joplin, Mo. 64801 (old Dent & Ding building next to the Joplin Humane Society)
Hours: Seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.