St. Louis has extended its contract with the Center for Animal Rescue and Enrichment to run its animal shelter through June 2026, but the organization says it still can’t cover all of its costs.

Weng Horak, the nonprofit’s founder and CEO, said CARE STL receives $112,500 per month from the city. That amount funds the care and sheltering of 180 animals. But the shelter is taking in about 350 animals per month on average, Horak said.

“Almost on a daily basis, we have to do fundraising to cover the overage of animals that are coming in that is not supported by the contract,” Horak said.

The contract started in July and was only guaranteed through December.

CARE STL has been under contract with the city shelter since 2019, and until July the contract was always renewed on a yearly basis.

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