Three transports of pets from Oklahoma are planned before the end of 2020.
OHS is joining forces with the Banfield Foundation, PEDIGREE Foundation and VCA Charities to transport close to 200 at-risk pets from Oklahoma and Texas to Oregon to find their forever home.
Despite the challenges the pandemic, OHS has continued to provide critical, life-saving services to pets in need. Adoption-by-appointment has ensured that more than 3,500 pets have found homes since March 16; the Second Chance program has transported thousands of pets to OHS from shelters around the region; OHS Humane Special Agents are in the field investigating animal cruelty and neglect; and the Holman Medical Center at OHS has continued to treat sick and injured animals, and provide spay/neuter services for low-income pet owners.
“This has been a difficult year, and many communities and shelters around the country are struggling,” says Sharon Harmon, OHS President and CEO. “This partnership with Banfield Foundation is an example of how collaboration in animal welfare truly saves lives.”
Although some shelters are reporting low inventory due to increased pet adoptions during COVID-19,1 there are a significant number of healthy, adoptable pets being euthanized in the United States. To address the issue, Banfield Foundation, PEDIGREE Foundation and VCA Charities are funding the transport and preventive care for 800 pets at risk of being euthanized from at-capacity shelters in the United States—200 of those pets will be coming to OHS.
In coordination with the Humane Society of Tulsa, a leader in animal transport, each organization is assisting municipal shelters that are at—or beyond—capacity to help find loving homes for pets in need. In addition to funding transport costs, the nonprofits will enable access to comprehensive veterinary care, including vaccinations, testing, behavior assessments and more to the hundreds of prospective adoptive pets.
“Due to the impact of COVID-19, the animal welfare community has been greatly affected. One of the biggest issues is the devastating backlog of critical preventive care, including spay and neuter, resulting in a growing population of vulnerable pets,” said Kim Van Syoc, Executive Director, Banfield Foundation. “Not only are we thrilled to help find homes for 800 deserving pets, we are excited to partner with incredible shelters, like the Oregon Humane Society and the Humane Society of Tulsa, to deliver on our purpose of A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS—a world where pets are wanted, cared for and welcomed.”
The first of three transports to OHS arrived today. Additional transports are scheduled to arrive on November 19 and December 10.
“We are very fortunate to live in such a pet-friendly community, where people will be ready to open their hearts and homes to animals in need,” added Harmon. “Thanks to the support of Banfield Foundation, hundreds of shelter animals will have a happy ending to 2020.”
