Donna Lochmann, chief life-saving officer with Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL), is a relentless animal advocate with hundreds of rescues to her name. Driven by her passion, she often patrols the streets of St. Louis, searching for abandoned or injured animals in desperate need of assistance. Lochmann is also the recipient of numerous calls about animals in precarious situations.
One day, a call came through about a dog hiding in a trash pile beneath a bustling highway. Without hesitation, Lochmann sprang into action.
Help Is On The Way
Photo Credit: StrayRescueOfficial
The caller mentioned seeing the pup every time they passed that road over the past few days. However, upon arriving at the scene, Lochmann couldn’t spot the dog.
Determined, she decided to wait. Suddenly, she heard peculiar noises emanating from a nearby trash heap. Approaching cautiously, she saw a tiny, adorable face peeking out, curiously observing her.
Photo Credit: StrayRescueOfficial
The pup, unsure of what to make of Lochmann, hesitated. Sensing his uncertainty, the dedicated rescuer approached slowly, speaking softly and offering tasty food to gain his trust. Despite his reluctance to eat, the pup, later named Gibson, allowed her to pet him. This gave her the perfect chance to slip a leash around his neck.
Though it took some time for Gibson to muster the courage to leave his hiding spot and enter the car, he eventually did, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
New Chapter
Photo Credit: StrayRescueOfficial
The ride to the St. Louis shelter was smooth, and upon arrival, Gibson received a warm bath and a hearty meal. His charm quickly caught the eye of a dog lover, who offered him a loving foster home.
Gibson adapted swiftly to his new environment, ready to embrace this fresh start in life.
According to Forbes, 6.3 million animals enter shelters across America annually, leading to severe overcrowding. Stray Rescue of St. Louis is no exception. In a heartfelt Facebook post, the shelter shared, “Sadly, we have to go on another rescue freeze. We loved being on the streets this week, but more animals are coming in than are leaving. We don’t want to do this, we’ve been fighting it. But we have to say it because it’s the truth.”
This is a call to action. Please visit your local shelters and lend a helping hand. If adopting permanently isn’t an option, consider fostering. Your support can make a significant difference, showing these animals that they are truly worthy of love.
