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Lumi & Alexa, united January, 12 2018

Adoption is only the beginning

We’re known for placing pets in loving homes. We are proud to be a reliable resource for all who need us, and we recognize that our work is not finished when a match is made.

At the APA, we bring and keep pets and people together - building connections that strengthen families and communities. Our vision is a compassionate community where pets and people thrive together.

To support this vision, we’ve adopted the PACT model. That means we balance our commitment to animals with the St. Louis community, and consider the impact of our programs on the lives of both humans and pets.

While we’re proud that 5,552 animals found homes through the APA last year, we’re also proud to continue supporting those families through spay and neuter operations, classroom initiatives, senior services, an on-site clinic, and many more programs. Each is designed to help people and pets bring out the best in each other for years to come.

Our Impact

We build lasting relationships through a network of robust services

Through pet adoption, wellness, and education programs, we strive to deepen the bonds between humans and their pets. It’s an ongoing commitment that mirrors the commitment of our donors, volunteers, staff, and adoptive families.

So Far This Year:

pets adopted into loving homes
lost pets reunited with their families
volunteer hours
pets cared for
pets in foster homes

View past impact reports

2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Or, view our most recent Form 990.

Our Partners

Helping pets in need requires a variety of resources

We are grateful to our partners for supporting our mission to ensure every animal at the APA receives the care and love it deserves.

Meet our partners

Our Story

Historically speaking, we've always been about improving the future

On a summer day in 1922, a woman witnessed a man beating his horse outside of Webster Groves City Hall. Immediately, she demanded to know who handles matters of animal cruelty. 

After contemplating the right course of action, a dutiful clerk suggested, “You might take the matter to Mrs. Ella Megginson. She’s always helping the animals.”

"You might take the matter to Mrs. Ella Megginson. She's always helping the animals."

His suggestion was of little help, for she was Mrs. Ella Megginson. 

From that moment, Mrs. Megginson made up her mind to stand up for the animals in need of an advocate. With a group of her friends and a generous $500 donation from Mrs. Harry F. Knight, Mrs. Megginson bought a truck and launched what was then known as the Humane Society of Saint Louis County.

Her group worked to prevent animal cruelty and eventually opened a shelter at 1802 Hanley, across the street from the modern-day APA Adoption Center.

Since then, we’ve changed names and expanded our mission to include adoption, wellness, and education.

  • Jan 1, 1983

    1983: Launching the area’s first therapeutic animal visitation program

    PetReach volunteers bring companion animals to hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons to provide companionship to those who would otherwise be deprived.

  • Mar 5, 2020

    1992: Acting as the founding site for the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation

    This group works at the state level to advocate for the humane treatment of animals.

  • Mar 5, 2020

    1990s: Becoming the first area humane organization to perform pediatric spay/neuter surgeries

  • Mar 5, 2020

    1998: Introducing the first and only Domestic Violence Pet Assistance Program in St. Louis

    This program has assisted persons leaving abusive homes by fostering  their pets while they regain their independence.

  • Mar 5, 2020

    2014: Offering the APA Pet Transfer Program, bringing animals from overcrowded shelters to our adoption center to connect with more adopters and greater resources

    The number of transferred animals has steadily increased while maintaining a 98% adoption rate.

  • Sep 10, 2020

    2017: Launching "No More Bullying" Education Program

    Teaches children kindness, compassion, and responsibility—traits that will help break the cycle of violence towards and bullying of both people and animals.

  • Sep 10, 2020

    2018: Removing Breed Labels

    Attempts to visually identify breed are incorrect 75% of the time. We chose to eliminate breed labels and focus on what matters: the personality, energy, and interests of the pet—the things that make them who they are.

  • Sep 10, 2020

    2018: Launching of "Pet Partners" Outreach Program

    Provides free vaccines, spaying, neutering, and other resources to low-income communities in an effort to provide high-quality care and keep pets with the people who love them.

  • Sep 10, 2020

    2018: Providing TNR Services to Community

    Improves the health and quality of life for community (feral) cats while reducing the feral cat population through spaying and neutering.

  • Sep 10, 2020

    2020: Expanding "Pet Partners" Program

    The program includes Crisis Housing Support for Pets in response to the pandemic and anticipated eviction and foreclosure crisis, providing temporary fostering and care to pets while families secure housing. This keeps the entire family together.

  • May 9, 2023

    2022–2025: Doubling Our Difference

    APA operates its second location, APA Olivette, in partnership with St. Louis County. The APA facilitates over 5,300 adoptions, reunites 2,500 lost pets with their families, and provides shelter for 11,600 animals in need while operating APA Olivette.

  • Aug 13, 2026

    2025: Launch of APA North

    The APA announces plans to expand access to animal welfare services at APA North, a new facility designed to provide convenient pet adoptions, veterinary care, community programs, and pet-owner support services for families in North County and surrounding areas.

  • Aug 13, 2026

    2026: Sit, Stay, Come Certified™ Program

    Sit, Stay, Come Certified™ big dogs are taught basic obedience commands and leash walking skills to help ready them for loving homes and reduce their length of stay in our shelter.

There are many ways to donate

Beyond adoption, there are many ways to help people and pets bring out the best in each other.

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