We're Celebrating All Year Long
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What's in a boop?
We’re glad you asked. There’s a whole lot behind this tiny moment. Trust, appreciation and hearts full of love go into each boop you share with your pet. And thanks to the staff, volunteers, fosters, adopters and donors to the APA Adoption Center, there are a lot of boops happening all over the area—and beyond.
For 100 years, we’ve been helping people and pets bring out the best in each other. If you’re keeping track, that equates to roughly 100 bazillion boops.
And we’re just getting started. To those who appreciate what goes into each boop given and received, we extend a nosefelt invitation to celebrate with us. And if you’re so inclined, please donate to keep the boops booping.
100 Years of Connecting
1922
Ella Megginson launched the Humane Society of St. Louis County, now the APA Adoption Center, from her basement with a donation of $500.
1948
After taking residence in several temporary locations, the cornerstone was laid at our permanent home at 1705 South Hanley.
1950
The Humane Society of St. Louis County officially changed our name to Animal Protective Association of Missouri.
1962
In an effort to help area birds survive an especially harsh winter, the APA joined forces with the Boy Scouts to distribute 100 tons of grain across St. Louis.
1980
Thirty-two years after moving to our current location, the APA broke ground on a shelter expansion that improved existing services and allowed us to grow the number of animals we cared for.
1983
Launched the area’s first therapeutic animal visitation program: Pet Reach volunteers bring companion animals to hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons to provide companionship to those who would otherwise be deprived of the opportunity. Today the program serves senior citizens living in assisted living communities across St. Louis.
1992
The Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (MAAL) is founded at the APA. This group continues to work at the state level to advocate for the humane treatment of animals throughout our state.
1998
Began offering the first and only domestic violence pet assistance program in the region: Safe Care assists survivors leaving abusive homes by providing free pet sheltering until they can reach safety and regain their independence. This program continues to be the only program of its kind in the St. Louis region.
2014
Launched the APA Pet Transfer Program, bringing animals from overcrowded shelters to our Adoption Center to connect with more adopters and greater resources. Today this program saves the lives of over 2,000 pets annually.
2016
Started the Head-to-Tails Hope Fund, a needs-based financial assistance program for veterinary care, made possible by generous APA donors. To date this program has provided life-saving and quality-of-life medical treatment to hundreds of pets in need.
2017
Launched the “No More Bullying” Education Program which teaches school-aged children kindness, compassion, and responsibility—traits that will help break the cycle of violence and bullying of both animals and people.
2018
Removed 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.
2018
Launched Pet Partners Outreach Program, providing free vaccines, spay/neuter services and other resources to low-income and under-resourced communities to keep pets in the home and with the people who love them.
2018
Began implementing TNR (Trap Neuter Return) Services to the Community, which improves the health and quality of life for community (feral) cats while reducing the feral cat population through spaying and neutering.
2020
Expanded the Pet Partners Program. In response to the pandemic, we added Crisis Housing Support which provides temporary fostering and care of pets until families, who are evicted or facing foreclosure, can secure new housing.
2020
Developed partnerships with human-serving food pantries across our community to ensure pet owners were able to receive food for their pets when seeking food resources for themselves.
2022
July 26 to be exact: Our 100th Birthday!
Join the Walk of the Century
We’re looking for 1,000 people to walk 100 miles each this year—all to benefit the APA Adoption Center. Raise money, win swag and help bring pets and people together. It’s an awesome way to get involved and celebrate the 100th birthday of the APA!
Join the Wall of Boops
Tell us about you and your pet(s) on Instagram. Use #Boop100 and help us spread the boops.
Support Our Pet Project
We’re updating our Adoption Center and welcome your support. Help us provide better and more efficient care to more animals by giving to Our Pet Project. Learn more here.
Thank you to our centennial sponsors
Our sponsors help underwrite the cost of events so that all proceeds go directly to our mission. Interested in sponsoring our celebration?