When a Good Samaritan saw a woman place a dog into a dumpster and drive away without a second glance, they knew they had to act fast. They immediately called Stray Rescue of St. Louis (SRSL) — and that call may have saved the dog's life.
SRSL's team rushed to the scene and gently lifted the lid of the dumpster. What they found inside stopped them in their tracks: a soft-eyed pit bull, staring up with a mixture of fear and hope.
“She’s perfect in every way,” SRSL shared on Facebook. “She is not trash.”
Though frightened and clearly confused, the dog — later named Malea — was alive. But the sweltering heat inside the dumpster had taken its toll, and time was running out.
“We tried to hold back tears, but this really choked us up,” SRSL wrote. “It was so hot inside; we’re thankful she didn’t pass out.”
Donna Lochmann, SRSL’s chief life saving officer, climbed inside to gently lift Malea out and carry her to safety. As they headed back to the shelter, another call came in — two tiny puppies had just been dumped in a downtown parking lot.
Without hesitation, the team rerouted — Malea still riding in the back seat — and rescued the pups, later named Hocus and Pocus. Soon, all three dogs were loaded into the Jeep and on their way to safety together.
But when they arrived, the shelter had reached full capacity. There was no room left — yet turning them away was never an option.
Fortunately, a solution came quickly: Hocus and Pocus were placed in foster care, and Malea was welcomed into a short-term “Rovernight” home, a program that lets dogs experience love and comfort for a few nights outside the shelter.
Now, all three dogs are safe, cared for, and beginning to heal — and they’re all on the lookout for the forever families they deserve.
“They will have a good life,” SRSL said. “They’re perfect.”
Want to help?
- You can learn more about adopting Malea, Hocus, or Pocus here.
- To support dogs like them, consider donating to Stray Rescue of St. Louis here.
- Curious about Rovernights? Learn more here.
