Oklahoma shelters unite to save pets in 2 emergencies

Lush green grass, sticks too big to carry, and belly rubs are just a few of Jeremiah’s favorite things. This joyful pup bounces around like a furry piece of popcorn, wrestling, running around in circles, and flopping onto the grass with all the drama of an actor taking their final bow. It’s heartwarming to see, especially given the real-life drama he had endured.

Jeremiah was one of 21 dogs and puppies from a cruelty case in southern Oklahoma. Around the same time, another emergency struck the region: A homeowner had passed away and left nearly 100 cats on their property.

All these dogs and cats needed a safe place to go, and most animal shelters aren’t set up to receive this many animals at once. But no single shelter had to face the situation alone. There was help from multiple Oklahoma shelters and rescue groups and grant funds from Best Friends as part of a pilot program that connects shelters and rescue groups across the state. Because of this, every one of the pets got the care they needed — and the second chance they deserved.

More communities than ever before are embracing no-kill philosophies and the programs that go along with them, and Best Friends is there with guidance, staff support, and funding to assist shelters across the country.

In Oklahoma, a new program is helping to bring together shelters and rescue groups that are spread out across the state. Part of it involves identifying “district captains” from shelters who can be resources to others. Best Friends’ role has been to set up a framework to connect shelters, identify areas of need, and supply funding for lifesaving work.

“It has helped build deeper relationships with dozens of shelters in our state,” says Kelly Burley, Best Friends south central region adviser. “Through this program, we have identified several shelter leaders who are doing outstanding work to make their shelters and communities better places to live.”

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Christopher Hurley, supervisor of Pauls Valley Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which participates in the Best Friends Network Partner program, is one of eight district captains from shelters and rescue groups across Oklahoma. As one of those captains, Christopher saw the value of those relationships firsthand during the recent large-scale cat and dog emergencies.

“The district captain model helps so much in emergency cases like these because having those open lines of communication when shelters need help is literally lifesaving,” he says. “Without those relationships, large-scale cases like these can quickly become mass euthanasia events because shelters simply don't have the resources or connections to save that many lives at once.”

Those relationships made all the difference when Christopher received a call from a shelter about an hour away that didn't have the capacity to take in the nearly 100 cats after their person passed away. With an emergency grant from Best Friends and on-the-ground help from PAWS and other local animal welfare organizations, all the kitties quickly got the care they needed.

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"We took a couple of staff members to the home and trapped 41 cats that day, brought them back to the shelter, and we had every single one of them examined by veterinarians, started on medication, vaccinated, and microchipped by the end of the day," says Christopher.

Every cat had a safe place to land and a path toward a brighter future.

Just a few weeks later, those same relationships helped Jeremiah and the 20 other dogs from the cruelty case. Most of the dogs had severe mange (an inflammatory condition caused by mites that results in itchy skin, sores, and hair loss) and were extremely malnourished.

Although the case wasn’t in its jurisdiction, Madill Animal Shelter, also part of the Best Friends Network Partner program, stepped up to help — and then reached out for help of its own. Madill is a tiny shelter and simply didn't have room for 21 more dogs.

Christopher immediately began reaching out to other shelters and rescue groups he'd gotten to know as a district captain. Best Friends also helped provide emergency funding for Madill and the other organizations that stepped up, whether they took in dogs from the case or welcomed adoptable pets from Madill to free up space.

PAWS took three of the dogs with the most severe medical needs, including Jeremiah.

After extensive veterinary care, including antibiotics, gentle medicated baths, nutritious food, and plenty of TLC, Jeremiah and the other dogs slowly transformed into the bouncy pups they were always meant to be.

"They look beautiful," says Christopher. "They look like totally new dogs."

And in no time, they all landed in loving, safe homes of their very own, where the only thing they have to worry about is how to sneak giant sticks into the house.

"That wouldn't happen if you didn't have those relationships between all these different groups," Christopher says. "It takes the rescue groups, shelters, veterinarians, and the community. It takes everybody talking to each other. The truth is, many shelters are just one disaster away from being overwhelmed. Support matters. Community matters."

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.