Today, the Humane Society of Missouri is one of the largest animal welfare organizations in the United States, rescuing and finding second chances for thousands of pets each year. But did you know it all began with a horse?
In the late 1800s, St. Louis was a thriving industrial hub, where goods arrived daily by boat, rail, and wagon. Horses powered the city’s economy, hauling lumber, bricks, tools and supplies across miles of growing streets. Yet many of these animals were overworked, abused, and discarded when they could no longer perform.
In 1870, a group of compassionate St. Louisans decided this cruelty could not continue. Determined to protect animals from neglect and abuse, they formed what would become the Humane Society of Missouri, now one of the oldest and largest animal welfare organizations in the United States…