About Us

Rooted in Community. Driven by Compassion.

We’re a nonprofit animal shelter based in Cape Girardeau, serving families & pets across Southeast Missouri—including Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville & Cape County. Every day, we work to rescue, rehome, and support animals in need while strengthening the bond between people & pets. From adoption services to humane education and outreach, our goal is simple: to give every animal the chance at a better life—and to bring more joy into the homes of those who adopt them.

Our Mission

Southeast Missouri Pets serves our communities by nurturing the human pet bond by providing shelter care and advocacy for homeless pets and providing spay and neuter resources and education for people.

Our Vision

Southeast Missouri Pets believes that animals and people enrich each other’s lives. Our goal is to save every adoptable pet in our care and reduce the pet overpopulation through education and providing families the opportunity to better their lives through the human pet bond.

A white background with a few lines on it
A black and white dog is laying on a couch with its eyes closed.

Our No-Kill Commitment

At Southeast Missouri Pets, we proudly operate as a no-kill shelter. That means we do not euthanize animals for time, space, or treatable medical conditions. Every pet in our care is given the time they need to find a loving home—even if it takes weeks, months, or longer.


Being no-kill means making space when we’re full, choosing treatment over convenience, and standing by animals with behavioral or medical needs. We work closely with foster homes, partner rescues, and community resources to give every animal their best chance.


We believe every life matters—and we live that belief every day.

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Our Board of Directors

Charlotte Craig, President

Everett Cassady, Treasurer

Karen Honaas, Secretary

Janet Robert, Board Member

Glenda Quinn, Board Member

Sam Herndon, Board Member

Marsha Haskell, Board Member

Lois Long, Board Member

Brett Yount, Board Member

Raelenna Ferguson, Board Member

Meet the executive director

Jenn Farmer

Jenn Farmer has always had a love of animals even as a small child growing up in Morris, Illinois. She is a mom of 3 grown children and has 6 fur babies, that keep her on her toes! She is a former Autism and Behavior Consultant for a local school. She and her therapy dog were together most of the time. Jenn started her journey at SEMO Pets as a volunteer, who even took laundry home on the weekends to keep the shelter caught up. She then began working weekends and summers while off of school, before taking the full-time position as Volunteer Coordinator.  After hard work and determination, she accepted the Executive Director position in January of 2023. Jenn not only loves people, but she found her true passion working with the pets at the shelter and finding them their forever homes. In her spare time, which is limited due to the long days she puts in at the shelter, she enjoys working out at the gym and spending quiet evenings at home with her fur babies. Jenn Farmer truly puts her heart into her work, and it shows with everything she does for the shelter.

Meet the Development Director

Mary Burton

Mary joined Southeast Missouri Pets as Development Director in January 2023, coming out of retirement to help strengthen the shelter’s fundraising efforts. A lifelong animal lover raised on a farm in southern Illinois, Mary has always shared her home with stray and shelter pets.


She previously served as Executive Director for the Community Counseling Center Foundation, SoutheastHEALTH Foundation, and the American Red Cross Southeast Missouri Chapter, with a career spanning healthcare, nonprofit leadership, and emergency response.


Mary holds a Bachelor's Degree in Health Communication with a minor in Mass Communication from Southeast Missouri State University, graduating magna cum laude in 2022. She is also a Certified Fund-Raising Executive and has received numerous awards for her leadership, including the Girl Scouts “Women of Impact” award and Zonta Club’s “Woman of Achievement.”


Outside of work, Mary is active in P.E.O. Chapter FY and the Cape Rotary Club. She is most proud of being mom to Cole and Annie—and “Grammy” to Gage, Harlow, and Lake.

Meet the Foster Coordinator

Requi Salter

My name is Requi (Ree-ka) Salter. I am so excited that you are interested in fostering for SEMO Pets! I promise it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do!


I started volunteering as SEMO pets in 1990. I’ve done all the various jobs her over the years and fostering has got to be my favorite!


My husband and I have 6 kids, some of whom are grown now. Fostering was always a part of their lives and something we enjoyed as a family. We also have 4 dogs and 4ish cats, as well as 2 bearded dragons, a snake, and axolotl, and some fish…. yes, I know it sounds crazy. 


I am passionate about helping homeless pets and will do all I can to help you on your foster journey.