East St. Louis animal rescue group finds dozens of dogs left in cold

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Gateway Pet Guardians hopes to find homes for dozens of dogs rescued from the cold. The nonprofit rescue organization operates a shelter in East St. Louis, Illinois, providing resources and subsidized pet care for owners.

“With this weather, we’re really kicking it into overdrive, trying to make sure they have the straw and the doghouses and the supplies they need to keep their pets safe,” Jill Henke, director of operations, said.

The agency rescued 26 dogs during this recent cold snap. Henke said dogs are not immune to frostbite or hypothermia.

One stray at the shelter earned the nickname “Ding Dong” after it captured the attention of a homeowner by ringing their doorbell.

“We take in 1,700 to 1,800 pets each year and find them a new home,” Henke said.

Anyone interested in fostering or adopting a dog can call 618-687-8007 or visit www.gatwaypets.org.

Adoptions would free up more space for rescues.

“If we don’t have anywhere for them to go, we have to say ‘No,’ and that’s really difficult to do with the temperatures the way they are and the snow on the ground,” Henke said.

Opportunities to foster dogs continue this week Wednesday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the shelter, located at 725 North 15th Street.

“We’ll get you matched up with a dog,” Henke said.

She said most of the dogs are either medium- or large-sized dogs.