Couple begins animal rescue organization

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- An aging hound hobbled into Steve and Linda Svehla's yard and changed their lives.

"An old hound dog came up, and ice was on the ground, and it was about dead," Steve Svehla said. "We took the hound dog in, and here we go."

That was in January. Today, the hound is a permanent resident at the new Rough Road Rescue, an animal rescue organization the Svehlas started at their home in rural Perryville.

The project came with a learning curve, and the lessons haven't always been easy, Linda Svehla said.

"We went through a lot of stuff and actually almost lost sight of what we were trying to do, [which] was help the animals," she said.

Linda Svehla said they received a citation from the Department of Agriculture after someone complained about what they were doing.

Linda Svehla, co-owner of Rough Road Rescue in Perryville, Mo., poses with her rescue dog Shadow on Thursday. The Svehla’s recently opened the animal rescue. (Laura Simon)

"We can't just go pick up John Doe's dog because he doesn't want it anymore," she said.

For years, the Svehlas dreamed of starting an animal shelter, but the startup costs would have been $150,000 or more, Steve Svehla said.

An inspector suggested they apply for a rescue license instead. Unlike shelters, which typically house many animals, rescues rely primarily on foster homes to take care of pets until someone adopts them, Steve Svehla said. That reduces the amount of infrastructure -- and the expense -- involved in saving abused or neglected animals.

Far too many animals are dumped along roadsides, left to starve, or even shot when their owners no longer want them, he said.

"We're not saying everybody has to love an animal, but don't take one and then abuse it," Steve Svehla said.

He said veterinarian Mark Freeman has provided advice and reduced his fees to help offset the cost of caring for strays.

"If it wasn't for that, we would probably be dividing a bologna sandwich right now," Steve Svehla said. "They're very expensive. People don't realize what it takes to take an animal in."

The Svehlas said they encountered some initial skepticism from community members, but Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf has been supportive of their efforts, and others are starting to call and offer assistance.

Students at Perry County Middle School have helped with fundraising and are learning about animals and their care, Steve Svehla said.

"The people are starting to turn around and see that we're actually doing something," he said.

Steve Svehla said Rough Road still needs volunteers, donations and foster homes for animals awaiting adoption. Anyone who would like to help may call 573-547-8070 or e-mail roughroadrescue2013@hotmail.com.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

9126 Highway 51 South, Perryville, MO