Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment of St. Louis
Our Mission
CARE STL is a Best Friends no-kill, open-admission shelter dedicated to saving and caring for the homeless, abused, and neglected companion animals of the City of St. Louis. We lead with compassion to ensure every animal is nurtured in body, mind, and heart.
Our Story
Founded in 2018 as a BIPOC-led organization, CARE STL emerged to transform the city's approach to animal welfare after the closure of the City Gasconade Dog Pound. Today, we manage the City of St. Louis Animal Care and Control facility, operating as a beacon of hope with an impressive 98% live release rate.
Our Approach
Our work is fueled by a collective heart of staff, volunteers, fosters, and donors who believe in providing fear-free care. We accept animals into our shelter and rely on a vibrant community of fosters to help them thrive until they find their permanent homes. Every decision we make is guided by our core values: compassion, optimism, fairness, and creative problem-solving.
Finding Your Perfect Match
We believe in building lifelong connections through a personalized, conversation-based match-making process. Our adoption counselors take the time to learn about your lifestyle and preferences to ensure a harmonious fit for both you and your new companion. We are committed to complete transparency regarding the health, temperament, and background of our animals, so you can adopt with confidence and peace of mind.
Join Our Community
Whether you are ready to open your home to a new pet, interested in volunteering, or want to support our mission through a donation, you belong here. We encourage you to browse our adoptable animals online or visit our shelter at 2700 Walnut Place to meet your new best friend in person. Together, we can create a world where all pets are loved, valued, and safe.
- Passionate, dedicated staff
- Supportive foster-to-adopt programs
- Communication and responsiveness issues
7/23 - Metro-east animal shelters take part in national adoption event. Fees, details
Here’s what to know about local shelters participating in the special adoption event, including photos of dogs and cats looking for homes.
7/21 - CARE STL extends contract with St. Louis, says it needs more money
CARE STL has been under contract with the city since 2019. The contract renewal means stable funding for another year, but the organization relies mostly on fundraising and donors to run the shelter.
7/14 - CARE STL rescue dog Thor wins Illinois title in Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards
CARE STL rescue dog Thor wins Illinois in Pet Lovers’ Choice Awards; national voting begins July 14, with support from Metro East and St. Louis fans.
6/4 - Steve Ewing's beloved family pet killed in Tower Grove Park dog attack
Dangerous animal complaints remain relatively low in the Tower Grove area, but city data shows reports are increasing as officials continue tracking incidents across St. Louis.
4/20 - Coonhounds and hellbenders: Lawmakers name new ‘official’ critters of Kentucky
A bill given final passage on the final day of the 2026 General Assembly names new officials animals of Kentucky. Here’s what they are.
