Photos from the rescue

Extended cut: News 4 coverage

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Related Story: Veterinarian with criminal record charged with animal abuse

(KMOV) -- Cold weather is moving in this weekend making dangerous conditions for outdoor pets and stray animals.

News 4 went along with Stray Rescue volunteers as they searched for abandoned dogs who could become victims to the cold.

Ray Preston’s account of the ride-along:

We're heading to the east side with Randy Grim. He's looking for the feral dogs, the "wild" dogs, born in the back alleys with little or no human contact.

He'll feed them, rescue them if he can. But animal shelters are full so many are left on the street and he knows the brutally cold weather can be lethal.

We're looking for a dog Grim has dubbed "Cotton Eyed Joe". He has only one eye and a broken leg.

But our first stop will be to check on a littler of pups. We go down an alley way overgrown with weeds. Grim calls it "the land that time forgot”.

He says he’s just going to try to keep them alive for another week until they have some space.

The pups are in an abandoned shack, scattered among the trash.

The plan is to leave the pups, their mother is hiding behind a pile of garbage in the corner.

She's a feral dog and she wouldn't let Grim get close earlier.

But now, she’s feeling either overwhelmed by so many visitors or exhausted, so she allows Grim to get a lead around her neck.

We load the pups into boxes and Grim carries the mother out.

At first, Randy thought there might be 9 puppies, then there were 10, turns out there were actually 11.

They're loaded into a car, but it's still not clear where they'll end up.

Grim now moves on, we're still looking for Cotton Eyed Joe.

We find a female, she's in heat. A male with a broken leg is nearby.

Grim feeds them. It's a break from their diet of dead birds and rats that you find on the ground nearby.

The dog and her litter of 11 pups were taken to a vet.

When we left Grim he was still searching for the dog he'd dubbed Cotton Eyed Joe. 

He did not find the dog but did rescue three other adult dogs.  Grim says a resident living nearby said he had planned on shooting the dogs soon because he didn't want them to suffer in the cold. 

Grim says he will search the neighborhood again on Thursday for Cotton Eyed Joe.

More on Stray Rescue: http://www.strayrescue.org

I would like to thank the stray rescue.
The adult dog that Randy found is one of the most precious dogs that I have met... she is very good with kids, extremely sweet and loving. I know this because she is in my home....
With her, we have finally found the dog we has always wanted! Thanks again.

Randy certainly has my support. What a wonderful gentleman to put his time and effort and his heart into this effort, everyone who loves these poor abandoned and helpless creatures should help all they can. My precious dog, Tess, came from a rescue shelter, and she is the love of our life. We should all remember, these are all God's creatures and they were put on earth to give us joy and in return they ease our troubles. How precious they are, and they need our love. Thanks again Randy. May God bless you.

The highlight of my day, was the article I watched on kmov.tv, about the gentleman who is making a heartful effort to rescue these poor dogs. My heart was deeply touched, and I would love to help.

God works through people like Randy Grimm

I think the rescue of stray puppies is the ONLY way to go. Why pay hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars for a purebred dog, when you could help a stray and get a wonderful dog in return, for just the cost of shots?? Help them find homes!

Yes, Stray Rescue rescues cats too. In the past year hundreds of cats and kittens have been rescued, spayed and placed in loving homes. Do you have space in your home? We can always use another kitty foster! All cats are taken directly into foster homes, none are kept at the shelter. It is quieter and more calming for the kitties. Stray Rescue loves kitties too! Help us save more cats and kittens. Donate or foster today!

Don't care???..really....I am so glad there are more Randy's in the world that care for other living beings than those that are selfish and only care for what directly affects their own lives.
I've volunteered for SR for a few years as a foster and I can also say that it is much better to do a rent a pet and ensure you find the right home for the dog than to hope someone has done their homework. While that is ideal it is not always what happens and people "think" they are ready for a dog and find they are not. When/ If the dog returns to the orignal fosters home (s)he is really none the wiser if care is taken.

Randy Grim is the best person I know. He has risked his life time and time again because he has so much love in his heart for dogs and all other animals.
God bless you, Randy. You are an inspiration to many of us in this many times heartless and cruel world we live in. How any one can neglect and abuse creatures that give us unconditional love is something I'll never begin to understand. They are not human beings in my book.

The world need's more Randy's! Randy is the most COMPASSIONATE person I have ever met. I pray for him on a daily basis. He saved my little girl Emme and I will forever be thankful for him and for everything he does! I love you Randy! Keep it up! I will ALWAYS volunteer for Stray Rescue! This man is an angel....

I really like this story, because you get to go along for the ride- it's like rescuing the puppies right along with Randy and his crew.
I have been a fan and supporter of Stray Rescue since 1999, and in 2000, adopted our little Peanut from them.
Randy is a saint in our eyes.
I only wish I could support them more monetarily than I am able, as I think the work they are doing is immeasurable!!!
My ONLY complaint about them as an organization is that I really wanted to become a volunteeer with them, and get pretty involved, and it was difficult to break through their internal system....seemed like they had some pretty steady Eddie's volunteering that didn't seem to need any help- when I KNOW they do!!!!!!
I think it's probably more of an organizational flaw, than an intentional dismissal.
I know they are all working so hard, that's it's difficult to criticize, so I wish them the best in the world. Thanks Ray Preston for doing this story!!!!!!!!
Love you, Uncle Randy!

Animals cannot take care of themselves although the street dogs are very smart. God has given us the ability to take care of each other and the animals. How anyone can say it is not worth it should think again. Dogs are living, breathing creatures of God and they need our help. Randy is doing all he possibly can to save these dogs. He needs help from all of us to be able to save more and to stop other dogs from being born into the same hard life that they are in. Randy is certainly a blessing to the abused and street dogs as well as he is to our city.

I've supported Stray Rescue for some time now. Randy found a niche, animals that no one else wants to get involved with. And he started it as a one man crusade. I sometimes believe he is overly idealistic, that we can't save them all, that not all of them will make suitable pets. But I still believe in what he's trying to accomplish. For people who wonder why all the time, money, and effort is being spent on animals rather than people, let me point out a few considerations. First of all, there are a lot of organizations that help homeless people, poor people, people down on their luck. Until Stray Rescue was created, the stray dogs had no one. Secondly, every stray dog who is off the street is one less threat to humans and pets, both in terms of potential attack and the spread of disease. Remember, strays don't have rabies shots! Third, if you are so gung-ho about helping people, why don't you get involved in helping those people or spend most of your waking hours setting up your own human-oreiented charitable group instead of criticizing someone like Randy who is doing just that for the animals.

When God allows you to care for one of his miracles it is your JOB to care for this animal, if you don't have money pick up soda cans, sell them and get the pet food & water, if this impossible for you then call the shelter, don't let them take care of themselves, dogs aren't able to care for themselves like feral cats, stand up and do what is right.

rent a pet program is mainly used to help dogs that never been in a home and teach them basic like stairs or car rides etc... and if an adoption happens that is great. as far as disorganized , if you have money so they can hire more help send it. i volunteer theere and love it and think stray rescue is amazing. i am proud to be a volunteer , you sound like an ex-volunteer who must have a grudge. stray rescue moves mountains on a shoe string budget. so the only problem i have is people who don't fully get it.

The individual who said "I dont care, it is a waste of money", is not only cruel but also stupid. Atotal of 15 dogs will not only be rescued, but also spayed and nuetered. If 15 dogs can produce 30 litters a year, well you decide if it is a waste of money. As far as the critical "professional"---what are you doing to help??

I don't know, there are many "stray" people that need help

The only problem I have with Stray Rescue is that they tend to be very disorganized as an organization. They have expanded so much that there is no real standard for their volunteers and/or foster parents. Half of their dogs in foster care are trained using one method, and the other half is trained using something totally different. As a professional rescuer and trainer myself, I also don't agree with the "Rent a Pet" program they run. It's already stressful enough on a dog to be taken from the streets and placed in a shelter and then a foster home. Putting them in a home to allow a potential owner to "screen" the dog and then later return it because it doesn't work out does nothing to help the animal learn to trust and/or bond. A responsible owner will have done their research ahead of time and will know whether or not they can handle a dog in their life.

Stray Rescue is a Godsend to these poor animals. It's just hard to believe a human being would treat animals this way and turn them out to roam and reproduce. Randy Grim manages to rescue dogs that even the authorities won't deal with.
I hope this dog gets spayed and finds a good home as well as her puppies. Thank you Stray Rescue.

Poor little things.

Thank goodness there are organizations that will take care of the strays. People seem to not be concerned about taking care of their pets and making sure that they have their shots and are neutered. People just dont feel the need to act responsibly for their animals or even for their children.

GOD BLESS STRAY RESCUE! WHAT A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION. THOSE WHO ABANDON THEIR PETS ARE SOME OF THE WORST PEOPLE IN OUR SOCIETY AND THEY SHOULD BE PUNISHED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT! LET'S REALLY TOUGHEN ANIMAL ABUSE LAWS!

Bless Stray Rescue!! We luv U!

This is so cool to do this. Some people who leave their pets outside in this weather, should not have pets. They need to be put outside. Darn it!!

i do not care , it is a waste of money caring for them.

This is absolutely heart breaking, I had to put down one of are cats due to illness that could not be treated. If possible try to bring in the stray animals and see if they can be put up for adoption if not then for the sake of the poor animal put it down so it would not suffer in the cold and die a slow death. How anyone can be so heartless as to kick out an animal and not care for it is beyond me.

I think somebody should put the owners of any dogs who keep there dogs chained up outside with no shelter..Food or water outta be greatful I dont work for the city they live in because I would take the dogs and take them to jail for cruelty to animals......Because its just not right...But to the recue team GREAT JOB......

stray rescue is awesome! thanks for all you guys do.

I am a dog lover what else can I say!

It's a shame that people don't take the responsibilty of their animals. Animals were put on this earth for us to enjoy not to abuse and neglect. I'm glad there are orginizations that do go out of their way to help these animals.
Keep up the good work.

I hope that stray cats are given as much attention.

I am so thankful for Stray Rescue. They are a Godsend to all the stray puppies and dogs out there. Those puppies are so precious and so is the mother. I would love to have one of them, but I have three dogs of my own to care for. My heart just melted all over the place when I saw the pictures. Keep up the great work, Stray Rescue.

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