MERS-Large Animal Rescue, 123 please ask, Saint Clair, MO (2026)

10/06/2026

On October 5, 2026, at approximately 2 p.m. MERS received a call about a 20 year old, Belgium horse down in a lot in Potosi, Mo. The owners tried to get a veterinarian out but none were available. The team of 5 members arrived at the location and quickly assessed the situation. Two members put a halter and the protective headgear on the horse while the rest of the team assembled all necessary equipment. The owner had a large excavator in place to assist with lifting. Lifting straps and the spreader bar were attached to the horse and then attached to the excavator. A lift was executed and the horse named Amos quickly stood on all four hooves without assistance. Amos stayed attached to the excavator until he was turning and backing with some stability. Amos was detached from the excavator and was walked slowly to help him regain his strength. Amos was a work horse for the Amish most of his life and when they discovered he suffered from stringhalt he was sold at auction. Thankfully, his new owners run a rescue for unwanted animals like Amos. He has only been with the rescue for a few months but he seemed happy and well cared for. While walking him, he collapsed and we reattached him to the excavator and lifted him a second time. He drank lots of water, ate some hay and grain and seemed a little stronger. The team decided to keep him attached to the excavator and to walk him around while attached. He walked for a while and when he seemed more steady he was again detached. All equipment was removed and he was brought a round bale of hay next to his water tank. We released him and he walked around until he collapsed again. This time he seemed to be in more distress and very tired. The owners did not feel that another lift would help him and they feared he would just go down again. The team and owners made Amos as comfortable as we could, then we packed our equipment, debriefed and headed back to base. Sadly the owners called to let us know that Amos had crossed the rainbow Bridge and was no longer struggling. Our hearts go out to Amos and his wonderful owners. 110 miles were traveled and the callout ended at 6:30 p.m.

07/21/2026

On Monday, July 20, 2026, at 8:13 a.m.,
MERS received a call about a 30 year old donkey down in a dirt lot in Dittmer, Mo. A veterinarian was called but could not arrive until after 1 p.m. Due to an excessive heat warning, we assembled a team and arrived at the location at 10 a.m. Upon arrival, two members put a halter and head protector on the donkey, named Jake, while the rest of the team assesed the situation, packed all necessary equipment and took it to the scene. The donkey had been down all night and was attempting unsuccessfully to get up. The team secured lifting straps under him and attempted a lift. Jake would not put weight on any of his legs. We put him on the rescue glide and secured him down, to move him to a more level shaded location. Once at a safer location, we removed him from the glide and the owner brought him a towel, pillow, water, grain and hay. The team moved him to a sternal position and he refused to drink so we added electrolytes and water to his grain and he gulped it down. We waited approximately an hour until he seemed brighter and more alert, and attempted a second lift. He put weight on his back legs but not his front. We put him back down and pulled him into a shadier location. The vet was about an hour out so we kept him comfortable with water, food, shade and a fan, until the vet arrived. The veterinarian assesed his condition and felt that due to his age, condition and not being able to stand, that euthanasia would be best. The owners agreed and several members helped the veterinarian, while the rest of the team packed all the equipment. We also assisted the owners in finding someone to come and bury Jake. Our hearts go out to the owners, who rescued Jake many years ago and gave him a good long life. Prayers go out to them. Due to the extreme heat the team dispursed without debriefing. A team of 8 members answered the callout. The callout ended at 2 p.m. with 56 miles traveled.

05/01/2026

On April 13, 2026, MERS Received a call about a cow trapped in a muddy ditch in Sullivan, Mo. A veterinarian was on scene and requested we try to extract the cow. A team of of 7 members arrived on scene. After assessing the situation, all necessary equipment was put on the Polaris and taken to the scene. The veterinarian and owners had pulling straps already on the cow so they were attached to the side by side and the cow was pulled out of the muddy ditch. Once out of the ditch the cow was pulled onto the rescue glide. The cow was secured to the glide and pulled quite a distance to a safe corral. No lifting attempts were made due to the cow being very tired. Hay and water were given to her and the team was released by the veterinarian. All equipment was packed up and the team debriefed. The callout lasted approximately 3 hours and 23 miles were traveled.

04/06/2026

On April 5, 2026, at 11 a.m., Mers received a call about a 31 year old horse in Lonedell Mo., that was cast in her stall with her head in a very awkward position. A team of 10 members converged on the scene and two members applied handcuff straps and rolled the horse from the wall. Two members applied the protective head gear to the horse, named Lucky. The team loaded all necessary equipment onto the polaris and moved it closer to the staging area. The team then applied a rear assist strap and another strap just behind her front legs and pulled her to a safer position and then rolled her onto the glide. The veterinarian on scene gave her an injection to relax her and approved moving her. The team pulled her from the stall to a lean-to area. Lucky attempted to get up but was very unsteady and fell to the ground. We pulled her to a safe location away from a wooden fence and began to assemble the A-frame. The A-frame was assembled and anchored in several locations. Lucky was then put back onto the glide and moved under the A-frame. Lifting straps and the spreader bar were attached and the lifting rope was secured to the Polaris winch. All members were in position and Lucky was pulled to her feet. She failed to put weight on all four hooves and after 7 minutes she was lowered to the ground to rest. After resting Lucky was lifted again and the team worked hard to get her to stand on all four hooves. She remained unsteady so we keep her lightly lifted, in case she fell. We moved her forward, backwards and in circles while still attached to the A-frame, in an attempt to get her steadier on her feet. Lucky was given some enticing treats, water and some green grass and she began to regain her strength. After about an hour and a half the veterinarian gave the go ahead to slowly move her into a paddock area. With the team keeping her steady, she slowing walked forward and seemed to be much sturdier on her feet. The straps and head protector were removed and she was turned over to the owner and veterinarian. The team disassembled the A-frame and loaded all equipment onto the Polaris and into the trailer. This team consisted of 4 seasoned members and 6 newer members. The team worked together well and precisely and all seasoned and newer members did a wonderful job. Thanks to everyone for leaving their Easter family shindigs to help out this wonderful horse. The team debriefed and headed back to base. The callout ended at 3:40 p.m. with 20 miles traveled.

Address

123 Please Ask
Saint Clair, MO
63077

Telephone

+13146603510

Website

http://paypal.me/mersteam

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MERS-Large Animal Rescue