Tulsa Animal Welfare is not seeing a rise in pets surrendered due to the economy opening back up.
There are reports of shelters struggling across the country as people return pets adopted during the pandemic, but that’s not happening in Tulsa. Kristin Barney is the director of Tulsa Animal Welfare’s Embed Program. Barney said she doesn’t think it’s happening nationally on any significant level, either. She’s looked at the numbers.
“The research beared out that it’s not really happening the way people say it is,” said Barney.
The shelter does have a lot of pets now, but Barney said that has more to do with dogs scared by fireworks running away on the Fourth of July. Surrenders are typically higher in summer months, as well.
The shelter is trying to free up space by offering an adoption special.
“We’re currently running a promotion through July 11th where all pets have an adoption fee of $10. That includes all vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and a permanent tag,” said Barney.
The shelter is also looking for people willing to foster pets.
The foster program has been recently expanded and updated as reforms for the shelter take place. Two years ago, an Animal Welfare Commission was created by the city, and overhauls have been going since then.
People interested in fostering can apply at the city of Tulsa website.