NEED TO KNOW
- A fire broke out at A Howlin’ Good Time doggy daycare in St. Louis County on June 24.
- All 70 dogs were rescued, thanks to neighbors and workers who rushed in before firefighters arrived.
- Auto shop workers next door helped pull dogs to safety and sheltered them.
- The building partially collapsed; cause believed to be electrical in the attic.
- Over 30 firefighters from 8 departments responded in 100°F heat.
A terrifying fire broke out at a Missouri doggy daycare this week—but thanks to a community that acted fast and fearlessly, every single dog was rescued in time.
The blaze tore through A Howlin’ Good Time in St. Louis County on Tuesday, June 24, just before 3 p.m., causing part of the building to collapse. With fire crews still en route, nearby residents and workers didn’t wait. They rushed in.
And they saved 70 dogs.
In a heartfelt post shared on Facebook, the daycare staff wrote:
“Thank you to everyone in the animal community that came out to help us today — all dogs are safe. All parents picking up dogs.”
Among the first to step up was Bryan Clouser, who works at Real McCoy Bodywork, an auto shop right next door. When he saw smoke, he didn’t hesitate.
“Nothing really matters but the life,” Clouser told Fox 2 Now. “These dogs are like children to these people. They’re family.”
He and his team dropped their tools, abandoned their schedules, and jumped into rescue mode—getting dogs out of the burning building and even offering up space inside their shop to keep them safe until they could be reunited with their families.
Later, the daycare gave a touching shoutout to those who stepped in:
“We would like to thank the entire community… the Elk’s Club for letting us use their facility to reunite families, and all the amazing guys at Real McCoy Autobody for risking their lives to assist in saving every dog in the building. All staff and dogs got out safely and are resting comfortably.”
It’s not just a win for the dogs—it’s a reminder of how powerful community can be in a crisis.
The fire was so intense that over 30 firefighters from eight departments responded. Officials believe it started in the attic, but the exact cause is still under investigation.
Fighting flames in the middle of a 100-degree summer day was brutal.
“They’re dripping with sweat,” said Alyson Rotter from the Rock Fire Protection District. “They’re exhausted, and they’ll look at you and say, ‘I’m ready to go back in.’”
A Howlin’ Good Time has now launched a GiveSendGo campaign to thank everyone who helped and begin the process of rebuilding. And through it all, their gratitude is clear:
“We truly love every last one of you and your furbabies.”
