Transforming the collective impact of animal welfare organizations since 2020.
Our Work.
The Missouri Coalition of Animal Care Organizations is the only entity advocating for the collective interests of animal shelters and rescues in the state of Missouri. As such, we take great pride in the opportunity to represent our members in statewide and local policy efforts that impact animal services.
Legislative Advocacy for Shelter and Rescue Interests
On National Animal Advocacy Day, Missouri Coalition of Animal Care Organizations sent a letter to state legislators urging them to move forward with H.B. 365 to end breed bans in Missouri. H.B. 365 would prohibit municipalities from enacting breed-specific bans and overturn existing bans, which currently keep roughly 326,000 Missourians from choosing the dog they want and punishing otherwise friendly, well-socialized dogs. This effort was supported by dozens of animal welfare organizations across the state who understand the need to end discriminatory breed bans. Read about all of the organizations that signed in support here.
Coffee with the Coalition Webinar Series
Coffee with the Coalition is a series of monthly webinars to bring you the information you need to move your shelter operations to the next level. Anyone with an interest in animal sheltering, rescue, or welfare is welcome to attend these zoom meetings at no cost. Follow us on Facebook to find out about upcoming events and access recordings of previous webinars.
Midwest Animal Sheltering Conference
The Midwest Animal Sheltering Conference our region’s premiere conference designed exclusively for animal rescues and shelters! The conference offers sessions for all levels of engagement and an invaluable opportunity to network with colleagues in animal welfare. Learn more about the next event!
Emergency Response
Our Emergency Response Fund is used to support the care of animals in crisis, including animals impacted by natural disasters, hoarding, neglect, or abuse. Contributions to the fund provide medical care, spay/neuter procedures, behavioral support, and other resources to prepare affected animals for adoption. You can make a gift directly to the Emergency Response Fund to support these efforts.
Missouri Coalition Animal Transfer Network
The Missouri Coalition Animal Transfer Network helps animals find rescue placement by facilitating connections among sending and receiving animal care organizations. So, how does it work? An organization posts an animal that needs to be transferred out of their facility, including details about their disposition, health status, and history. Then members of the group get to work sharing the post and tagging organizations that may be able to help. Once an organization has agreed to accept the animal, the group may also be used to help identify assistance with transport. Viola! Animals find the resources they need, and we're one step closer to our vision to build a strong collaborative network between animal care organizations, advocates, and communities! Sounds like a win-win to us!
COVID-19 Response: Request to Expand Public Access to Veterinary Telemedicine
As the landscape of COVID-19 has continued to evolve, the Coalition has taken additional action to support the welfare of companion animals by requesting that the State of Missouri expand public access to veterinary services through telemedicine. Veterinary telemedicine protects veterinary health professionals and ensures families can still receive medical attention for their pets. The Coalition partnered with eight other national animal welfare and veterinary medicine organizations on the request.
COVID-19 Response: Request Animal Services be Classified as Essential
When Missouri issued the stay-at-home order in April 2020, the role of animal services as an essential service was unclear. The Coalition took immediate action to ensure communities would continue to have access to animal support and sheltering services. The coalition coordinated an effort with six of the largest animal shelters in Missouri to request animal shelter staff, animal control officers, and pet food supply stores be classified as essential and remain operational. The Coalition also provided the Governor’s office with extensive resources for animal owners and animal services to assist in COVID-19 response planning. The effort was successful as animal services were permitted to continue functioning in the state.