Shelter seeks help with overcrowding
The summer months are tough times for animal shelters across the country, and it’s no different in Oklahoma City.
During the month of June, nearly 2,300 animals entered Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, and it hasn’t slowed down during the month of July. Now, there are more than 650 animals in the shelter, which has a capacity of about 400 to 450.
The shelter is asking for the community's help to reduce the overcrowding.
Nearly 200 animals are available for adoption and looking for forever homes.
The shelter has made a lot of progress in 2018, with more than 80 percent of the animals coming in being saved.
The shelter would like to continue this success through the summer months but can’t do it without assistance.
If animals can't be placed into new homes soon, euthanasia is inevitable.
If you are unable to adopt, you can help in other ways. The shelter is always looking for foster homes to help get animals out of the shelter temporarily.
Foster homes provide temporary care to animals who are
too young, ill or just not doing well in the shelter environment.
The shelter provides everything needed to care for the pets.
All you have to do is provide
a loving space for the animal to stay until they are well enough to be adopted.
Volunteering your time is another great way to help animals in need.
The shelter has a number
of different options when it comes to volunteering.
Volunteers help do everything from cleaning and care of the animals to assisting the vet staff prepare animals for adoption.
Events are another great way to volunteer. The shelter has adoption events at different locations almost every weekend. These events would be impossible without a great group of volunteers to help run them.
If you are unable to give the gift of time, you also can donate monetarily. The shelter uses the donations to provide items like bedding, toys and veterinary care that is beyond the capabilities of what the shelter can provide. You can donate online, by mail or in person at the shelter.
The shelter has the goal of saving 90 percent of all animals coming in. In order to meet this goal, however, it will take a tremendous amount of support from the community. Adopt. Volunteer. Donate. To find out more about Oklahoma City Animal Welfare and what you can do to help end euthanasia of healthy, adoptable pets, go to www.okc.gov/ animalwelfare or visit the shelter at 2811 SE 29.
Jonathan Gary is Oklahoma City Animal Welfare superintendent. He has worked at Oklahoma City Animal Welfare for more than 18 years, working in all areas of operation leading up to his promotion to superintendent in August 2016.