For more than two decades, Stray Rescue of St. Louis has been one of Missouri’s most dedicated rescue organizations. They step in when others turn away, rescuing dogs who have been abandoned, neglected, or broken by the harsh realities of life.
Their mission is clear: giving forgotten dogs a second chance.
Among the team is Donna Lochmann, a seasoned rescuer with years of experience. She has seen countless rescues, but some stories stay with her longer than others.
One such story unfolded in the heart of St. Louis.
Following A Mother’s Trail
Rescuers know that even the quietest streets can hide urgent needs.
While driving through St. Louis, Donna spotted a female dog wandering with a swollen belly, a clear indication that she had recently given birth.
The dog appeared hungry and desperate for food.
Donna placed food nearby, hoping that the mother would eat and then return to her puppies.
“I was hoping that once she ate and had a full belly, she would head back to her puppies. There were so many places she could have them hidden. The streets in this area are lined with abandoned houses and thick brush. After she ate, I watched her cut through yards, across streets, and into a brushy area,” Donna recalled.
Donna followed the dog through dense vegetation. Then, suddenly, a sharp cry broke the silence. It was one of the puppies.
A tiny puppy had become trapped in a pipe, nearly two feet deep, and was crying out for help.
Rescue Efforts Continue
“There, at the bottom of the pipe, was a single black puppy, about six weeks old, whimpering and crying. She was terrified and screamed as I went to pick her up. But once safely in the jeep, her tail wouldn’t stop wagging,” Donna remembered.
As the mother barked from a distance, Donna continued searching. Soon, she found more puppies nearby.
The pups were lively, making the rescue challenging. But Donna remained focused on her goal.
“I had to get one, take it to the jeep and return for the next one as they squirmed in my arms. Once all four puppies were safely in the jeep, I went to get mom,” Donna said.
An Unexpected Face In The Shadows
When Donna returned to find the mother, she noticed another adult dog nearby.
“This one had two black ears. I couldn’t tell if they were siblings, or maybe one was an adult pup from a previous litter. They stayed close to each other but made their way through weeds and abandoned yards,” Donna explained.
Capturing the dogs proved difficult. The traps were unsuccessful, and as daylight faded, Donna had to leave and come back the following day.
On her second attempt, Donna successfully lured one of the adult dogs with food.
“She was nervous, scared. We wanted to get her in the jeep before she made any distressed noises that could upset the mom. We loaded her up, and as we pulled away, we saw her friend sitting by herself in the field across the street. It was an absolutely heartbreaking moment,” Donna recalled.
They returned for the mother, but she remained cautious and refused to enter the trap.
A Reunion That Took Everything
Food alone wasn’t enough. Donna decided to try a new tactic. She gathered a blanket and pee pads from the foster home, each carrying the puppies’ scent. She even played a video of the pup crying in the pipe.
It worked.
“At dawn, Donna found the mother resting inside the trap. Though frightened, she stayed calm as they gently moved her to safety,” Donna said.
After days of effort, the mission was complete. The entire family was safe, and the rescuers felt a deep sense of relief.
“They will all be given all the love in the world and will then become a part of a family,” Donna said, reflecting on the success of the rescue.