While in person fundraising events have been cancelled since early 2020, the Metro East Humane Society has learned that our services are needed now more than ever. MEHS has continued to work tirelessly through the pandemic to save as many animals as possible, intaking over 1,650 animals in 2021. This would not be possible without the continued support of our community, and we are so thankful!
In early 2020, MEHS acquired both the Riverbend Pet Food Pantry and Highland Animal Shelter, immediately followed by having to close our doors to the public due to COVID-19. We have continued to provide resources for as many pets as we safely can; in 2021 more than 36,000 lbs. of pet food were provided to 101 families free of charge through our Riverbend Pet Food Pantry, 1,760 pets received low-cost veterinary services through our public spay/neuter surgeries and vaccine & microchip clinics, and 577 community cats were helped through our trap-neuter-return and working cat programs.
As a no-kill shelter we know that we can only help animals we have space for. With that in mind our second facility, MEHS Highland, opened to the public in April 2021. Renovations to our Highland facility have been completed, and we are currently under construction to expand the medical suite at our MEHS Edwardsville facility to offer additional veterinary services. Because of this, Slumber Pawty is virtual for MEHS again in 2022, but we hope to have supporters back at MEHS Edwardsville and for the first time at MEHS Highland in 2023!