Oklahoma group launches spay, neuter effort

FROM STAFF REPORTS Comments 0
Published: August 27, 2009

Oklahoma Alliance for Animals is taking steps to reduce abandoned and unwanted animals in Oklahoma’s shelters with an initiative called Fix 5000.

Multimedia

Multimeda

More Info

NewsOK Pets: Human Animal Link of Oklahoma

Tulsa plans annual adoption event
Hundreds of dogs await adoption in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Alliance for Animals and various rescue organizations in and around Tulsa will come together Saturday for "Woofstock,” an annual adoption event. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., animals will be available for adoption at Biscuit Acres South Side Rotary Bark Park at Hunger Park on 91st between Yale and Sheridan. Rescue organizations from across the state are welcome to attend.

For more information on the event or to register your rescue organization, go online to www.animalallianceok.org or call (918)742-3700.

Tulsa County’s "Spay Oklahoma” clinic offers reduced-cost spay and neuter surgeries to low income households. But the clinic is overbooked and struggles to keep up with demand, said Ruth Steinberger, director of outreach for Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

To spay or neuter animals from low income households, the Alliance is building partnerships with several county veterinary offices in northeast Oklahoma. The first of these clinics began performing low-cost surgeries today. Dr. Bill Mitchell at Bristow Veterinary Hospital will offer the reduced-cost surgeries each Thursday for animals in Creek County and nearby areas. If your household income is $35,000 or less, your pet qualifies for a reduced-cost spay or neuter. Call (918) 367-2397.

Steinberger said the Alliance is working to bring clinics to Pawnee, Rogers, Washington and Haskell counties.

"It is the only way to address the spiraling increase in numbers of unwanted animals. It is the only way to decrease the suffering,” Steinberger said.

She said that since Jean Letcher took the position as Tulsa’s Animal Welfare Department facility manager, animal intakes in Tulsa County shelters have dropped because city officials began enforcing spay and neuter ordinances.