OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – The furry four-legged inhabitants of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s capital, Okmulgee, need fostering and forever homes. The Okmulgee County Humane Society is currently seeking homes for stray dogs and cats to open spots at the shelter.
Although the Okmulgee County Humane Society office shares a building with the Okmulgee Animal Shelter, they are separate entities. The city runs the shelter. The humane society is a volunteer-based nonprofit. When an animal is brought into the shelter, it is the humane society’s goal to find them a new home as soon as possible. The shelter only has a 72-hour stray hold policy.
If an animal exceeds the stray hold in the shelter, the humane society will seek to adopt it out through its network of foster or adoption homes. The last resort is boarding.
Aimee Robinson is the Okmulgee County Humane Society board president. Like her colleagues, she seeks to reduce the homeless animal population of Okmulgee and the surrounding areas.
“We serve the City of Okmulgee as a whole. Our main mission is saving animals at risk from euthanasia,” Robinson said.
Babs Martin is the director of the Okmulgee County Humane Society. Martin said while they are grateful for anyone who can adopt or foster an animal, adoptions are more advantageous.
“The absolute best option is adoption,” Martin said. “It’s best for the animals because they get to be in their forever home.”
Until recently, the nonprofit offered community assistance programs for spay/neuter and trap-neuter cat services. They also provided veterinary services for pet owners that could not afford them. These services, however, have been temporarily halted due to budget cuts.
“That’s where our heart hurts is because we know those programs make a huge difference,” Robinson said. “Now we’ve had to temporarily suspend these programs to ensure that our fosters in our care and our boarding were able to make our ends meet.”
A nonprofit website statement reads, “While we cannot change an animal’s past, we can rewrite its future.” It goes on to state that they will not stop finding homes for animals until zero animals lose their life due to limited shelter capacity.
Spay/neuter awareness
One issue contributing to the overpopulation of stray animals is loose spay/neuter laws within the state. According to Robinson, this issue is unique to the region. Stray animals from the south are even transported to the north, where there is a better chance of finding a home due to the regional demand.
Unwanted litters can leave a substantial impact on stray animal populations. According to Robinson, one litter of kittens can lead to 420,000 more cats in seven years. Likewise, one litter of dogs can lead to 50,000 more dogs in the same amount of time.
Martin said a solution to this issue is spreading awareness and providing information.
“I would say first and foremost education programs to teach people why it’s a good idea to spay and neuter,” Martin said. While the Humane Society has programs that help with spay and neuter awareness, those programs also become halted when the budget runs low.
The issue of homeless pets affects not only the pets themselves, but those who work tirelessly to find them good homes.
“Burnout is a real risk for those working in rescues,” Robinson said. “They are working day and night, trying their best to get these dogs and cats out of a shelter and out of the risk of euthanasia.”
The nonprofit Best Friends tracks stray animal rescue efforts by the state. Like the Okmulgee County Humane Society, they fight to end the homeless pet population issue. They report that in 2021 Oklahoma had a saving rate of 80.4%, and Okmulgee County had a 55% saving rate. According to Robinson, progress has been made to increase the Okmulgee County save rate, Okmulgee County’s data in November 2022 reported an over 88% save rate.
Personal adoption/foster testimonies
Robinson’s family has adopted three dogs, one of which was initially fostered through the Humane Society. Martin has fostered as well.
Mvskoke Media reporter Kaylea Berry (Mvskoke) adopted her mother’s dog after she passed away in 2021. Her dog is more than just a canine companion.
“My dog’s name is Samson and he is a chocolate lab,” Berry said. “I spoil him, my brother treats him like a dog, but he’s not a dog he’s part of the family.”
For Berry, taking care of Samson fulfills her late mother’s caretaker and best friend role.
“My mom loved him. They did everything together,” Berry said. “They would go ride around in the car together. They’d ride the side-by-side.”
Adoption is beneficial for both owners and the shelters. There is no such thing as too much space for rescue animals.
“Whenever you are adopting from a rescue situation, it means that shelter or rescue has one more spot that can save another dog or cat at risk for euthanasia,” Robinson said.
Martin said meet and greets are a must for those interested in adopting. It allows potential pet owners to see whether the dog or cat will fit. Martin and Berry agree the rewards of caring for an animal are numerous.
“They have emotional needs, and it’s really rewarding to be able to service them, give them love, give them adequate food, give them adequate water, and see their personality emerge,” Martin said.
According to Robinson and Martin, efforts are currently being made to partner with municipal governments and other organizations to bring back community assistance programs.
The Okmulgee County Humane Society has launched a new campaign called “Painting Paws” to supplement funds. This fundraiser auctions off abstract art created by rescue pets.
The rescue animals currently up for adoption and foster care can be found on the Humane Society’s website.
If you are interested in providing a forever home for a rescue dog or cat in need, contact the Okmulgee County Humane Society at (918) 759-2000. Pet adoption and foster care applications can be submitted at OkmulgeeHumane@gmail.com.