BROKEN ARROW - Animal lovers who are looking for a pet at the Broken Arrow Animal Shelter will now be able to adopt a pet that is spayed or neutered and up to date on its vaccinations.
The shelter began the pilot program about two weeks ago and hopes to make it a permanent fixture, said Maj. Mark Irwin of the Broken Arrow Police Department, which runs the city's Animal Control Division.
"We've always wanted to increase our level of service to the animals and to the public," Irwin said. "For years and years and years, we wanted to put out animals that were spayed and neutered, ... but we just didn't have the facility to do it."
A new facility, funded by a bond proposal, opened two years ago, giving the shelter nearly 10,000 additional square feet. That space means the shelter now houses a variety of amenities it could not previously, including a surgical room.
Police Chief David Boggs told the City Council last week that, through the pilot program, every animal is assessed by a licensed veterinarian, vaccinated and dewormed upon entry to the shelter, licensed upon adoption and, most importantly, spayed or neutered upon adoption.
Previously, people who adopted animals were charged a $50 fee that would be refunded to them once they showed proof that their pet had been spayed or neutered, Irwin said.
Now, that $50 adoption fee will no longer be refundable because it will instead go toward the cost of the new care program.
"We want to be competitive but also be realistic," Irwin said. "Because there is a cost to the city."
Tulsa's animal shelter, which has a similar program in place, charges a $75 adoption fee.
Owasso charges $75 for cats and $110 for dogs, also offering similar services.
Sand Springs has no adoption fee but also offers no services.
Irwin said officials will be assessing the pilot program to make sure that the adoption rates remain steady or increase and that the program is feasible for the city.
"We want it to be a permanent fixture of how our operations are conducted, but some of the things we may have to tweak," he said.
Irwin said what prompted the department to start the program was simply the acknowledgement that "this is what we should be doing."
Cristina Guerra, founder of the Broken Arrow-based Legacy of Hope Dog Rescue, is happy to hear about the pilot program.
"I think it's great that they're doing it," said Guerra, whose rescue organization is a strong promoter of spay and neuter programs.
Overpopulation is one of the biggest problems animal groups face, she said.
"We get 10-15 phone calls a day asking us to take in dogs," she said. "And it's not just us. Each of the other rescues will tell you the same thing."
Guerra said spay and neuter programs have been shown to be effective.
"They cut out unwanted litters and make sure that the dogs that do get in the system get homes," she said.
Boggs said the Broken Arrow shelter took in nearly 2,200 animals last year. Of those, 62 percent were placed for adoption, returned to their owners or farmed out to rescue organizations.
"That's a number we're very proud of," he said.
Irwin said organizers hope that the program can increase adoptions.
"That's the ultimate goal," he said.
Animal Palooza
What: Broken Arrow Animal Shelter adoption event. Games and activities available for kids.
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 21
Where: 4121 E. Omaha St.
For more: 918-259-8311
Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Pet ownership made easier
Broken Arrow
Kevin Martin, 24, was arrested just after 6 p.m. Sunday after the crash in east Broken Arrow.
Ticket prices are $20 in advance, $24 at the door.
