Story by Pat Atkinson
It’s half-way through the day at Spay Oklahoma, the veterinarian just finishing spay and neuter surgery on 15 dogs. Next on the table: 23 cats.
Today is a bit slow at the clinic with 38 pets in for surgery (the average is 40-45), but all the animals and their people count toward Spay Oklahoma’s goal of making life better for people and pets in the Tulsa area.
Just before lunch, staff members again check the dogs waking up from anesthesia, looking in on Moose, a 99-pound German shepherd who wants to be hugged, and Bear, a fluffy chow mix puppy being cuddled in a warm blanket.
The “doggie serenade” of woofs, howls, arfs and yips is winding down. The kittys are quiet in their carriers except for Rosealee, a gray tabby mom of six kittens who hasn’t stopped talking since early morning arrival.
After a quick take-out deli lunch, the veterinarian of the day, Dr. Terry Yunker, and four staff members will prep the cats, do surgery, and call families, letting them know when Moose, Bear, Rosealee and the other patients are ready to go home.
At the end of today, all 38 are “fixed,” rabies and other immunizations given, worming medicine dispensed.
But, what really happens every day at Spay Oklahoma is what will not happen later – the birth of thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens, who usually end up homeless and hungry, neglected, injured, diseased – another statistic to die on the streets or be “put down” at the Tulsa Animal Control facility. Last year about 12,000 were euthanized, an average of 30 a day.
Spay Oklahoma, a non-profit organization, opened its clinic doors almost three years ago offering low cost spay and neuter surgery for pets of low income residents. It’s the only of its kind in Oklahoma and one of only about 30 in the nation.
Unlike full service veterinarian offices, SpayOK offers only spay and neuter surgery, only for pets of low income families who could not afford to have their animals “fixed,” and partners with area animal rescue/humane groups and shelters – non-profit and city-operated to reach the people and pets in need.
Why create a program that depends on volunteers, a few staff members, and donations from individuals, groups, foundations, and friends to operate?
Judy Kishner, Spay Oklahoma board of directors president, explains: “Because we have too many dogs and cats and not enough homes, thousands are put to sleep every year at the City shelter. The only way to reduce that number is spaying and neutering to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens.”
Eventually, she says, the pet overpopulation will decrease and animals in shelters will have better chances of successfully finding good homes. And, “fixed” animals have fewer behavioral and health problems, enhancing their chances of remaining in their homes.
Spay Oklahoma board members Nancy Atwater and Ruth Steinberger recently visited a long-standing low fee clinic in North Carolina looking for better ways to do more. That clinic averages 20,000 surgeries annually.
Last year, Spay Oklahoma did 5,000-plus surgeries estimated to prevent the birth of some 50,000 unwanted animals. The goal for 2007 is 6,500-7,000.
Plans are being explored for a retro-fitted transport truck program working with area groups for same-day pick up, surgery and return to area locations.
Meanwhile, today’s a wrap at the clinic, scrubbed and sterilized for tomorrow’s expected 45 “pet projects.”
Pat Atkinson is a board member of Spay Oklahoma.
Info Box
Spay Oklahoma
501 E. 36th St. North
918.728.3144 for appointment
www.spayok.org
Fees: Cats $25, Sm. & Med. Dogs $35, Large Dogs, $45
Rabies, other immunizations, $5 each
Callers are screened for income qualifications
