Union, Mo. – A judge in Lawrence County ordered that 170 animals rescued from a severe hoarding situation be placed under the custody of the Humane Society of Missouri. The animals, ranging from dogs and cats to horses, pigs, ducks and chickens, will be rehabilitated at the organization’s Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Franklin County.
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch steps up
Anna Gates, the ranch manager, explained that the facility takes in animals from across the state, providing medical care, nutrition and training before finding permanent homes. “We rehabilitate them if they need it, and eventually the goal is to adopt them out to their forever homes,” Gates said.
The ranch currently houses all 170 rescued animals. Ninety of them are horses, and the remaining animals include chickens, ducks, llamas, alpacas and even an emu that the ranch rescued in the past. Gates noted the variety, saying, “You name it and we’ve probably had it.”
Individual stories highlight the work
Among the rescued animals is a miniature horse named Teddy, a little over 20 years old. Teddy arrived from a farm where he lived alongside hogs twice his size and suffered numerous health problems. After intensive care, he is now healthy and serves as an ambassador for the ranch.
Another resident, a miniature donkey named Leonard, spent years neglected before arriving at Longmeadow. Gates said watching animals like Leonard gain weight and find permanent families is “the best part of this whole thing.”
Horses often require the longest rehabilitation. Some arrive hundreds of pounds underweight and need months, or even years, of care. “Other times we may get animals like Praline who come in and it takes a few months and up to a couple of years for them to be rehabilitated,” Gates explained. Training horses under saddle makes them more adoptable, and the ranch works to ensure they are healthy and ride‑ready before placement.
Community support drives the effort
Longmeadow Rescue Ranch operates with a small staff and relies heavily on volunteers. The organization receives no government funding; all operating costs are covered by private donations to the Humane Society of Missouri. “Public support is extremely vital for Longmeadow Ranch,” Gates emphasized.
The rescue effort underscores the broader challenge of animal hoarding in Missouri. The Humane Society described the Lawrence County case as one of the worst they have ever encountered, highlighting the importance of swift legal action and community involvement to protect vulnerable animals.
As the rescued animals continue their recovery, the Humane Society of Missouri encourages local residents to support the ranch through donations, volunteering, or by adopting a pet when the time comes. The ultimate goal remains clear: to give each animal a healthy, loving home where it can thrive.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
