Pet Adoption Caravan Crosses Oklahoma 

Release Date: July 25, 2007
Release Number: 1712-012

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- About 33 dogs and 30 cats displaced by the recent northeast area flooding were transported to community shelters and animal rescue groups along a route from Miami, Oklahoma, to Irving, Texas today. The groups and shelter officials in Tulsa, Midwest City, Norman, Ardmore and Irving, Texas will work to find homes for the animals.  The initiative is a joint project of the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the State Animal Response Team (a unit of the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

Officials with the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter assisted with the transport of the pets which have been cared for by the Miami Animal Welfare Society since the flooding occurred earlier this month. 

The caravan made a respite stop at the Wiggly Field dog park in Del City, where local volunteers exercised and watered the animals. Scott Mason, DVM, a local veterinarian and coordinator of the State Animal Response Team, said the dogs and cats will be available for adoption as soon as local rescue groups and shelters have completed initial screening and preparation of individual animals.

"Natural disasters are distressing not only for people in the affected area, but also for household pets that often are displaced, injured or left homeless," said Dr. Mason. "We hope this joint effort, supported by numerous local animal shelters and rescue groups, will find good homes for all the cats and dogs made homeless by recent storms."

Below is a list of the animal rescue groups and shelters that received the dogs and cats during today's caravan. Individuals interested in adopting the animals displaced by the flooding, are encouraged to contact these organizations.

Tulsa Animal Shelter
3031 North Erie Avenue
Tulsa, OK  74115
(918) 669-6299

Safe Haven Spay and Neuter Clinic
10007 NE 10th Street
Midwest City, OK  73110
(405) 259-9292

Second Chance Animal Sanctuary
Box 1266
Norman, OK  73070
(405) 321-1915

Ardmore Animal Shelter
321 Carol Brown Blvd.
Ardmore, OK  73401
(580) 223-7070

City of Irving Animal Services
100 N Briery Rd.
Irving, TX  75061
(972) 721-2256

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 26-Jul-2007 09:28:44