Oklahoma Alliance for Animals is Snippin’ to Save Lives
8th annual “It’s Hip to Snip!” spay/neuter campaign kicks off February 1st
Tulsa, Okla. – February 28th marks the eighteenth annual Spay Day, an event sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States in an effort to educate pet owners about the importance of spaying and neutering pets. Oklahoma Alliance for Animals (OAA) is once again participating in the HSUS Spay Day effort, turning Spay Day into Spay Month with their annual “It’s Hip to Snip!” campaign.
“It’s Hip to Snip!”, conducted in partnership with Spay Oklahoma, generates awareness about the important role spay/neuter plays in reducing pet overpopulation. The campaign also provides opportunities for qualified low-income households to receive spay and neuter surgeries at a reduced cost through Spay Oklahoma and rural mobile clinics. OAA is providing over $15,000 in spay/neuter surgery subsidies in an effort to ensure cost is not a barrier to low income pet owners. Last year’s campaign resulted in over 1,500 animals being sterilized in the month of February. This year’s goal is 1,650 surgeries. Tulsa citizens can get involved by making a donation to the “Chip In for Snippin’” fund at participating pet retailers and service providers around town.
“OAA is committed to reducing the number of homeless pets in Oklahoma,” said Jamee Suarez-Howard, President and Founder of OAA. “Spaying and neutering pets is the most effective method in reducing the number of unwanted pets entering animal shelters each year and in turn the number that must be destroyed simply because they don’t have homes.”
Nationally, it is estimated that approximately 7 million pets enter animal shelters each year and of those, nearly 4 million are ultimately destroyed – about one every eight seconds. Oklahoma suffers from even worse euthanasia rates due to our severe pet overpopulation problem. At the Tulsa shelter alone, only 35% of the animals that enter the shelter are reclaimed by their owners, adopted or pulled from the shelter by area no-kill rescues.
The heart-breaking reality is most cats and dogs that die as a result of pet overpopulation could have made wonderful pets. Even more heartbreaking is the fact their births, and ultimately their deaths, were preventable through simple spay and neuter surgeries. These animals are often the offspring of family pets who had accidental litters. They are brought to municipal shelters and area rescues because pet owners are unable to care for them or find them new homes. Because space at municipal shelters is limited, so is the time available to these pets to find new homes and difficult decisions must be made by shelter staff.
There are many benefits to having pets spayed and neutered. It not only prevents unwanted litters and reduces pet overpopulation, it also improves a pet’s health and behavior. Deadly diseases related to the reproductive organs such as testicular cancer, breast cancer and pyometra can be prevented. Pets that have been altered are less likely to roam looking for mates. Neutered males are less aggressive toward other male animals and are less likely to mark.
Another good reason to have your pet spayed or neutered is that it is required by ordinance in the City of Tulsa and many other communities in Oklahoma.
For more information about reduced cost surgeries and qualification criteria in the Tulsa area, contact Spay Oklahoma at 918-728-3144 (North Tulsa Clinic), 918-970-4222 (Bixby Clinic) or visit www.spayok.org.
For more information about the “It’s Hip to Snip!” campaign or rural clinics, visit www.animalallianceok.org or call 918.742.3700.
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“Paws” to Give a Little Comfort and Joy to Homeless Pets this Holiday Season
OAA conducting supply drive to benefit Tulsa city shelter
Tulsa, Okla. – December 14, 2011 – Most Tulsa pets will enjoy the company of human companions and the luxury of a warm bed this holiday season. However, the animals at Tulsa Animal Welfare (TAW) aren’t so lucky.
TAW has approximately 250 animals in their care on any given day. With budget shortfalls for the city, there isn’t enough funding for “extras” like treats and toys which are essential in socializing pets for adoption. And, while the holidays are usually a time for togetherness for the rest of us, there are generally fewer people at the shelter to interact with the animals. Cold weather also means less time outside for the dogs. Without donated enrichment items like chews and scratching posts, animals have little to keep themselves entertained. Oklahoma Alliance for Animals (OAA) is asking the public to open their hearts this holiday season by making in kind donations to spread some cheer to homeless animals.
“The animals at TAW are there through no fault of their own. The least we can do as a compassionate community is provide them a little comfort and joy during the holidays,” said Jamee Saurez-Howard, President and Founder of OAA. “Of course, the ultimate gift would be to give these animals forever, loving homes so please consider adopting one of these wonderful pets, as well.”
Items needed include:
- Gift cards for places like Petsmart, Southern Agriculture, Petco or Target so volunteers can purchase supplies as needed throughout the year.
- Small or medium washable dog beds.
- Large wire crates
- Rawhide chew strips or chips
- Unopened quality, healthy dog and cat treats
- Disposable cardboard cat scratchers (visit www.stretchnscratch.com)
- Inexpensive new or gently used soft dog toys as comfort for sick puppies.
- New plastic cat toys and fur mice
Items can be taken directly to City of Tulsa Animal Welfare at 3031 N. Eerie Avenue during regular public visiting hours which are Tuesday thru Friday, noon – 6 pm and Saturday, noon – 4 pm. Additionally, cash donations can be sent to OAA marked “TAW Holiday Supply Drive” and OAA will use these funds to purchase the most needed items at bulk discounts.
OAA is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing pet homelessness and promoting the humane treatment of animals. OAA has had a long-standing partnership with TAW, providing both volunteer and financial support to increase adoptions at the shelter. For more information, visit www.animalallianceok.org or call 918-742-3700. For more information about Tulsa Animal Welfare, visit www.tulsaanimalwelfare.org.
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“Carnevale di Animali” Promises to Delight Local Animal Lovers
Guests can help save lives while merry making at this year’s Fur Ball Gala
Tulsa Okla. – September 23, 2011 – Mark your calendars for November 5, 2011, at 6 o’clock in the evening and join Oklahoma Alliance for Animals (OAA) for an evening of merry making at their 7th annual Fur Ball Gala, “Carnevale di Animali.” This year’s event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Tulsa. Event Chairmen are Jamee Suarez-Howard, Robin Suarez and Dana Gilpin. This year’s Honorary Chairman is Charles Faudree and Masters of Ceremony are Jay Cronley and Connie Cronley.
OAA’s merry gondoliers will guide guests to St. Barks Basilica where pet lovers can mingle, sip fine wine and partake in sumptuous cuisine. While enjoying strolling musicians, jugglers and masked revelers, guests will have the opportunity to shop the Barket Place full of unique silent auction items and masks made by local celebrities. The live auction will tempt guests with vacation packages, original art and other fine wares. OAA will honor outstanding members of the animal community. OAA’s largest fundraiser, all proceeds from Fur Ball support programs to end Oklahoma’s pet overpopulation problem, promote responsible pet ownership and ensure the humane treatment of animals.
“Fur Ball is not only an enjoyable evening for pet lovers but also an opportunity for us to celebrate the accomplishments of those who work tirelessly for homeless, abused and neglected pets,” said Jamee Suarez-Howard, President and Founder of OAA. “We can accomplish so much more when we work together and Fur Ball guests are treated to the sense of community our animal welfare partners demonstrate.”
Oklahoma Alliance for Animals develops partnerships among animal rescue organizations, municipal animal shelters, veterinarians, public officials, law enforcement and the community to achieve its mission. OAA also provides its partner organizations with the essential resources needed to achieve their goals. OAA continues to work toward a day when no dog or cat of reasonable health or temperament is euthanized merely because it is homeless.
This year’s honorary chairperson is Charles Faudree, Tulsa’s own internationally acclaimed interior designer, who is an animal lover and supporter of OAA’s mission. “I’m thrilled to be part of this year’s Fur Ball to help OAA continue its mission of creating change for animals through community collaboration,” said Faudree. “I encourage the community to join us for a fabulous evening and to support OAA as they work toward positive change for pets in our community.”
OAA’s goal is to raise $100,000 during this event. Individual tickets for the Fur Ball are $100 and a variety of patron package options are also available. For more information about Fur Ball 2010 and OAA, visit www.animalallianceok.org or call 918-742-3700.
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Tulsa Animal Welfare and Oklahoma Alliance for Animals Join Animal Groups Around the Globe for Global Pet Adoptathon
Life-saving adoption event begins Saturday, April 30th
Tulsa Animal Welfare (TAW) and Oklahoma Alliance for Animals (OAA) will participate in North Shore Animal League America’s International Pet Adoptathon® this May. Thousands of shelters in dozens of countries are participating in this year’s Pet Adoptathon® 2011, to find as many homes as possible for animals in their care during the month of May. TAW and OAA have set a goal of 50 adoptions for Saturday, April 30th, and a month long goal of 200 adoptions. This would double the number of adoptions ever done on a single day and increase adoptions for the month of May by over 40%.
To kick off the month long event, TAW and OAA will host “Adopt a Little Okie” on Saturday, April 30th at Tulsa Animal Welfare which is located at 3031 N. Eerie Ave. To encourage those who are considering adding a companion animal to their lives to visit Tulsa’s shelter, TAW will be open extended hours on Saturday, April 30th from 10 am to 6 pm. In addition, TAW will offer promotional adoption fees of $50 for dogs and $20 for cats. Families can also adopt a second dog for just $25. All pets adopted this weekend will receive a free micro chip and ID tag courtesy of OAA. Anyone adopting an animal on April 30th will also receive a goody bag full of valuable coupons and information such as free training sessions, food samples and information to help new pet owners get off to a good start with their new family member. Additionally, adopters will receive a referral coupon which they can pass along to a friend or family member, extending the reduced adoption fee and complimentary micro chip for the coupon bearer to another day during the month of May.
In addition to the dozens of puppies, kittens, dogs and cats available for adoption, the event will also feature several activities for pet lovers in the community. OAA will provide $25 micro chipping to the general public, as well as $5 ID tags. The event will also offer information on the benefits of adopting shelter pets, behavioral education and community resources for area pet owners. Special guest Radar the Weather Dog from News on 6 will be making a special appearance from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm with his trainer Susanne Shelton to demonstrate clicker training. Radar was adopted from TAW and is a great example of the wonderful animals available at the shelter, as well as their potential for being lovable, well-mannered, highly trainable pets. TAW will also provide tours of the newly completed shelter veterinary clinic.
“We hope that the adoption incentives, extended hours and event festivities will encourage the public to come see what wonderful animals are available at our shelter,” said Jean Letcher, Manager of Tulsa Animal Welfare. “With the public’s help, we can set a new record for lives saved not only during the month of May, but throughout the year.”
For more information about TAW visit www.tulsaanimalwelfare.org and to see pets available for adoption visit www.petharbor.com. For more information about OAA and its programs, visit www.animalalllianceok.org or call 918.742.3700.
About Pet Adoptathon®Pet Adoptathon® Month is an initiative developed by North Shore Animal League America that brings together the international pet shelter and rescue communities in order to raise awareness to the plight of homeless pets worldwide and to find them loving and permanent homes. In 2010 Pet Adoptathon® included 2,285 participating animal shelter and rescue groups in 48 states and 19 countries, and resulted in 22,850 shelter pets being placed in permanent homes.
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Tag Day – April 2nd
Make sure your pet has its ticket home!
Tulsa, Okla. — It’s a big, scary world out there for cats and dogs that are lost and alone, far from home. Although most pet owners think their pet would never run away, even the most responsible pet owners can be accidentally or unexpectedly separated from their pets. Millions of dogs and cats are taken to animal shelters as strays each year. The odds are against pet owners ever seeing their pet again if it is not wearing identification. Only about 15 percent of dogs and 2 percent of cats who end up in shelters without an ID tag or microchip are reunited with their owners.
In keeping with its mission to reduce the number of homeless pets, Oklahoma Alliance for Animals (OAA) participates in American Humane’s “Every Day Is Tag Day” campaign each year to encourage all pet owners to tag and micro chip their companion animals. This year’s Tag Day will be on Saturday, April 2, 2011. OAA will once again be partnering with several humane organizations to provide free ID tags throughout Tulsa and the surrounding areas.
Collars with tags are the most effective form of pet identification because they allow anyone to immediately identify a lost cat or dog and contact the owner. Having a collar and tag can allow your pet to be reunited with you within hours or even minutes of becoming separated from you. However, collars can come off or be inadvertently removed which is why micro chips are also an important tool in reuniting pets with owners. Micro chips serve as permanent identification system that will always be with your pet. Nearly all animal shelters across the country routinely scan every animal upon intake for the presence of a microchip. Most veterinary clinics also have microchip scanners. However, micro chips are not readily visible which is why having a micro chip coupled with a collar and tag is important.
All cats and dogs need to wear collars with ID tags along with rabies vaccination tags and required city or county licenses. When possible, include the owner’s name, address, telephone numbers and the pet’s name. If you are limited on space, determine the most important information that would be useful in reuniting you with your pet, such as a cell phone number. Tag your pet even if you never let him outside. He could slip through an open door and quickly become lost in the neighborhood. If you are traveling, put a temporary tag on your pet with the contact information of someone who knows how to reach you. For cats, use a specially made safety collar with elastic or a break-away clasp which allow the cat to escape if it gets caught furniture, fencing or other objects.
Both tags and micro chips are only effective in reuniting a lost pet with his owner when the owner’s contact information is accurate. Tags should always reflect the most current contact information and micro chips must be registered immediately in the appropriate database. Always update your contact information promptly when you move or get a new phone number.
Not only is having proper identification on your pets good practice under normal circumstances, but it is also vital during times of disaster. These situations are unplanned and unpredictable. Most pet owners would not have the opportunity to obtain a collar and ID tag, let alone a micro chip, in an emergency so having proper identification on your pet ahead of time is vital for disaster preparedness.
“Being a responsible pet owner is about more than just providing food, water and shelter,” says Jamee Suarez-Howard, Founder and President of OAA. “Pet care also includes tagging and micro chipping your pet to make sure they are reunited with you if they are lost.”
For more information about OAA, its programs and Tag Day, visit www.animalallianceok.org or call 918.742.3700.