This past holiday season SIN published an article regarding animal awareness. We received an overwhelmingly positive response. We wanted to highlight just a few of the letters we received so that everyone can know just how important animals are to so many people. Thanks to everyone who wrote in!




"Thank you thank you for your article! It's time the public starts to take responsibility for the major crisis taking place from lack of homes, people not spaying/neutering their pets, lack of shelter donations, and time. In my Gateway class this year some girls who volunteered at the local animal shelter here in Norman (for a grade) were complaining about how dirty and sorry it looked. I wish people would stop complaining about second-rate shelters and the fact that many of the animals must be euthanized because of lack of space and funding and start taking action! A few bucks a week feeds an animal at the shelter, a few hours a month of your time allows for better care and more time that volunteers can spend with each animal, and the next time your family wants new dog or cat, forget about the pricey pure breds with papers and adopt a homeless animal. You'll literally be saving its life, and adding years of fun and happiness to yours. Many mixed breed shelter animals have the sweetest, most loveable personalities--extremely ironic compared to the lack of playtime and affection they have received. Instead of working retail as I usually do this Christmas break, I'm volunteering at an animal shelter in Tulsa. I honestly don't even care that I'm not paid, either, though I have to admit I need the money. The feeling you get when you get to take out a caged, lonely animal and watch it come alive with a "smiling face" and wagging tail is one of the best Christmas gifts ever. Perhaps I will let you know how it went. Thank you for printing your article once again.


P.S:


The following is a list of animal shelters in Oklahoma towns and cities. All of their numbers are online or in the phonebook:

Altus: Altus Animal Aid, Altus Animal Control


Ardmore: Ardmore Animal Shelter


Blair: St. Bernard Rescue Foundation, Inc.


Broken Arrow: Animal Control


Chandler: Forpaws Corgi Rescue


Chickasha: Friends With Four Paws

Claremore: City of Claremore Animal Shelter, Rogers County Humane Society


Edmond: Animal Shelter, Animal Welfare, Free To Live


Enid: Enid SPCA


Grove: Humane Society of Grove & Grand Lake


Headrick: Spotted Acres Dalmation Rescue


Lawton: Sheltering Tree Animal Rescue Society (STARS)


Lexington: H.O.P.E. of Texoma, Inc.


Manford: Humane Society of Greater Creek County


Newcastle: Rocky Spot Rescue(Dalmations)


Norman: Cleveland County Animal Shelter, Oklahoma Jack Russell Terrier Rescue, Second Chance Animal Sanctuary, Blue Hawk


Oklahoma City: OKC Animal Welfare, Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue


Owasso: City of Owasso Animal Shelter


Shawnee: Almost Home Animal Rescue, Oklahoma K-9 Academy German Shepard Rescue


Stillwater: Animal Control, Humane Society

Tulsa: Animal Aid, ARF, Bonhaven Scottish Terrier Rescue, Greyhound Pets of America, OK Chapter PAL, Small Paws Rescue, Inc. (Bichon Frise),

Tulsa Animal Shelter, Tulsa SPCA


Yukon: Pets and People Humane Society



Sincerely,


Lyndsay Allison-Watteau


Freshman Pre-Veterinary Animal Science Major



Editor's Note: This list is not exhaustive. Consult your local community directory or Animal Control office for information regarding shelters in your area.



"I agree totally with your article and have always had my animals spayed or neutered. I've had cats for years, all of them strays or from rescue services. I think that the ones that have been 'out on the streets' make such wonderful pets because they know how good they have it."



--Unsigned




"Thank you to the author of the Animal Awareness article!! So many people, especially around the holidays, are looking for ways to volunteer or to help the community, and too often animal rescue centers are overlooked! People don't understand the adverse conditions stray domesticated animals are forced to live under! In Oklahoma, the amount of strays on the streets is closely challenging the number of homeless, yet you don't see many people "asking questions" about the 'homeless' animals! Places like Second Chance and Blue Hawk are amazing centers, run by caring people who all have the same motto: Animals have rights too. So for all pet owners, animal lovers, or humanitarians looking to spread the 'holiday cheer', start by helping an animal this holiday season!


Sincerely,


Meredith Root


OU Zoology Student



As always, remember to have your pet spayed or neutered, and please consider helping out by volunteering at your local animal shelter and by writing state legislators to ask that Oklahoma become a "no-kill" state. The animals will thank you for it.




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