Open Door Animal Sanctuary

06/01/2026

These pups were found on 21 and M. So many burrs. Please bring proof of ownership to Open Door to claim.

05/31/2026

ADDRESSING THE RUMORS...
Hi guys, it's me, Bitty, and I just want to talk to you about something that's been on my mind. See, I've had people make assumptions about me that are based on, frankly, hurtful stereotypes, and I want you to know the truth.
First of all, I know calicos often get a reputation for being sassy, spicy, or opinionated. Me? Pure sugar. The very sweetest. Cotton candy and marshmallow fluff. The most opinionated and demanding I get is when I want to be picked up so that I can cuddle on your lap. Once you do pick me up, I'll usually politely curl up for nap or sit and make biscuits on your belly and purr. I've been told I make it difficult to work, but it's not because I'm in the way. It's because all you'll want to do when I'm in your lap is sit and gaze adoringly at my darling face. To be fair, I'm still a cat, and only a year old. I do SOMETIMES climb on the desk or plant myself on the keyboard. But mostly, I just want to be close.
I love to play, both by myself and with other cats. I've had several cat friends of various ages. I wasn't sure about the kittens when I first met them, but after a couple days, we were wrestling together and then they were using me as a pillow while I groomed them. I told you- I'm an angel. I haven't had a lot of contact with dogs, but I've been generally unbothered when I have encountered them. I think I'd be just fine living with a dog!
What I'm saying is, I'm basically perfect. But I have one little physical quirk: luxating patellas. That means my kneecaps sometimes pop out of place and then pop back in. The vet says it's not something to worry too much about, at least not right now. When I get older, my person may have to watch my weight and keep me trim, and I may develop some arthritis when I'm a senior. Right now, it just means that I sometimes prefer not to jump too high and will ask to be picked up rather than jump into your lap myself.
So, I guess my point is... don't judge a cat based on color. We're all beautiful rainbow individuals! And me?
My name is Bitty, I'm a year old, and I'm spayed, up to date on shots, and fully vetted. I'm available for adoption through
Open Door Animal Sanctuary
House Springs, MO
(636)671-3643

05/30/2026

Weekend Roundup! Dan is probably the nicest, most solid dog we have here. He loves every stranger, he's gentle and sweet and tolerant, and he can make friends with pretty much any dog, including the dog-selective ones and the ones who don't have great manners. Because of his wonky hips, he hasn't had any adoption interest at all, which stinks both for him and for all the people missing out on having an excellent boy!

Wowee! That Dan! Whatta guy! Whatta good boy! Whatta star!
That's what everyone says when they see me. And you know what? They're absolutely right. I am all those things.
I have so much charisma that even the fleas won't bite me. They're like "You know what, buddy? Have a good day. Let's meet up for a bowl of tap water sometime," and they move along. I'm pretty sure that's how it works, anyway. The Nexguard I get every month is beside the point.
Anyway, my point is... I'm a pretty cool guy. I love stopping mid-walk for a belly rub. My language has 128 words for "friend." I get along with other dogs. I haven't met cats, but I'd be happy to do a cat test before going home with somebody. I'm two years old and about 60 lb and I've already decided I love you.
Now, here's the thing... sure, I've got a soul full of sunshine. And sure, photographers have started telling people to say "Dan" instead of "Cheese" because literally nobody who knows me can think of me without smiling. But I know most people want a dog with a perfect body, and unfortunately, I haven't got one. Don't get me wrong- I know I'm movie-star handsome. But... well. My hips don't lie. Or one cannot lie and one cannot speak the truth. So one says "I have double hip dysplasia and, while I don't need surgery yet, I will eventually. In the meantime, I love short walks and soft beds and I take a daily anti-inflammatory and joint supplement." and the other says, "Ultra low-rise jeans were the height of timeless fashion and are flattering on every body type." I'll leave you to guess which is the lie and which is true.
Here's something I know for sure is true, though: even if my hips are a little wonky, I'm still an awesome dog and absolutely worth loving. I deserve a chance at a life where I'm happy, loved, and part of a family!
My name is Dan, I'm two years old, and I'm neutered, up to date on shots, and fully vetted. I'm available for adoption through
Open Door Animal Sanctuary
House Springs, MO
(636)671-3643

05/30/2026

Weekend Roundup! Who wouldn't want a black Skelly bean? Skeletor is still waiting for someone to choose him! Yes, he looks like a fully-grown man, but he's only seven months old, so he may be destined to be a big boy. Great with other cats and dogs, affectionate, and adorable, Skeletor needs someone who has the patience to love a shy guy and help him feel safe!

Everyone knows that kids develop on their own timelines, right? And being a late bloomer doesn't mean you won't go just as far as your peers, of course. They say Einstein didn't speak fluently until he was four or five years old.
Still, it's not always easy being the guy who is left behind. You end up being like me- Skeletor: seven months old and still in the shelter, months after your siblings have found homes.
I was the shy guy of the group. I've come a long way, but I'm still on the cautious side. I prefer to take my time assessing new people and situations before I decide they're safe. Once I know I'm okay, though, I'm very sweet and affectionate. I'll greet you with insistent headbutts and lots of purrs. If there's something that kind of scares me, I'll gather up my courage to do it if it means being close to a friend. I really am very loving, especially with someone who has a bit of patience with me.
I've made a lot of progress in the shelter in recent weeks: gone from spending most of my time in a hidey-hole to hanging out on top of this shelf where I can see everything. Does that means I'm ready to, like, fearlessly star in a one-man musical featuring pyrotechnics and audience participation? No. I may never really be that kind of guy, and that's okay. The world needs its quiet homebodies, too, and I bet there are some kindred spirits out there who would love a cat like me.
I'm awesome with other cats. I'm a willing snuggle buddy and, given that I'm still just a kitten, I bet I'll be an awesome playmate once I'm in a place where I feel safe and comfortable. I'd love to have a cat sibling in my new home and, while I have less experience with dogs, would definitely be willing to give them a chance.
So maybe I'm not exactly what people usually have in mind when they decide to come adopt a kitten. I'm a little bigger, a little older, and a little less in-your-face than most people imagine their new baby will be. But don't count me out yet! I may be just what you need.
My name is Skeletor, I'm 7 months old, and I'm neutered, up to date on shots, and fully vetted. I'm up for adoption through
Open Door Animal Sanctuary
House Springs, MO
(636)671-3643

05/30/2026

All signs point to summer being MY season. I mean, a dog named Firefly? A gorgeous redhead who wants to make friends with everyone? Sounds perfectly summery to me!
At five months old, this is actually my first summer ever! That's right. I'm growing fast (already about 30 lb!), but I'm still just a puppy. I've heard about swimming pools and lemonade and bonfires and barbecues, but never actually had the chance to experience them.
To be fair, there's a lot I've never experienced- like, notably, having a home and family of my own. I've got nobody to call me their hairy son and tell me I'm a very good boy, much less take me hiking. I'm hoping to change that, though.
That's why I think this summer is going to really be one to remember. As friendly and handsome and happy as I am, I bet there's someone who will hardly be able to wait to take me home! Summer will be the first season of my brand new life.
I'm working on learning how to walk on a leash and follow instructions. I'm good with other dogs and haven't met cats. And I'm enthusiastic, adorable, and a quick learner. I hope I get to meet you soon!
Today, I'll be representing the shelter at Toasted Coffee House between 10 and 2, so please stop by to meet me (and get yourself a treat). If I don't get adopted there, I'll be waiting for you at the shelter!
I'm Firefly (boy), I'm five months old and about thirty pounds, and I'm available for adoption through
Open Door Animal Sanctuary
House Springs, MO
(636)671-3643

05/29/2026

Some dogs look like they were born to be companions to kings and queens. Me? Absolutely not. If you look up "street urchin" in the dictionary, my picture is there. I'm 12 years old, like seven pounds soaking wet, and I look like someone took a perfectly respectable chihuahua and scotch-taped fur to it in random places. My name is Homer, which is fitting, because if you were to rock up to an ancient literature class and I were at the front, you would know two things for sure: 1. I probably wear loafers because I don't see the value in learning to tie my own shoes, and 2. This is going to be the best class ever.
So I've got the look of an eccentric genius who has been doing a few too many experiments with electricity, but do I have the personality to match? Honestly? ... Nah. Not really. I'm a sweet, happy, well-mannered little gentleman whose tail never stops wagging. I'm instant friends with pretty much everyone and am happy to be petted, handled, and held, even by total strangers. That's right- if some kid runs up to you while you're in public and says "can I pet your... uh.... teacup alpaca?" my vote is a resounding "yes."
I've lived with cats and other dogs and done well. In my previous home, I was able to behave myself when left alone. I'm spry and sprightly, possibly more than you'd expect from a senior like me, but I still like my naps.
So if you're looking for the dog version of an abyssal sea creature, come check me out!
My name is Homer, I'm twelve years old, and I'm neutered, up to date on shots, and fully vetted. I'm available for adoption through
Open Door Animal Sanctuary
House Springs, MO
(636)671-3643

05/28/2026

Isn't it amazing how siblings, born and raised in the same home, with the same genes, can be so different from each other? My name is Merrick and, out of a family of spotlight-seekers, I'm the wallflower. I'm the kind of guy who would rather write a poem or study birds than stand up and do karaoke in front of everyone.
That means, of course, that most of my family members strolled right up to potential adopters, charmed them immediately, and got adopted right away.
And me? Well, I may take some time to find my home, and I suppose that's okay. "Take it slow" is kind of my motto for life, you know? The best way to make friends with me is to come greet me gently and quietly (I will probably be here in my cat tree, where I feel safe) and give me some time to get to know you. Soon enough, I will come out to see and hang out with you. I'm very loving and affectionate once I trust you and will flop down beside you and purr. It takes me a little longer to want to be held or in your lap, but I do like to be close to you and I'll show you pretty clearly that I like you.
I'm cat-friendly, having come from a home with quite a few feline companions. I haven't had enough contact with dogs to really know what I would think of them. I'd love to go to someone who is a gentle soul, just like me. A fairly quiet home would be ideal. I want to spend evenings curled up on the couch with you and your current book or crochet project or the latest documentary.
So come and meet me. We may be kindred spirits! My name is Merrick, I'm two years old, and I'm neutered, up to date on shots, and fully vetted. I'm available for adoption through
Open Door Animal Sanctuary
House Springs, MO
(636)671-3643