Looking Back - - Moving Forward

New Year – 2020 - - - New Goals - - Time for reflecting as we move forward

2019 has a whirlwind year (with a few tornadoes thrown in to keep us on our toes). We knew the transfer program was important – and we also knew comprehensive spay/neuter was imperative.

Our first spay/neuter clinic was in March. And, just as we had moved forward with lightning speed to establish transfer - - we established clinics. Rhonda Norris, Program Director and PAAS rvt (registered veterinary technician) knew exactly what to do, who to put on the team and what her goal was. By early fall, we were rockin’ and rollin’ with one or two clinics every week - - - and they were filled weeks in advance. We knew the need was great – we could now prove it.

831 pets we “fixed” – Vinita (580), Tahlequah (163), Bartlesville (88). The funded programs are: Pets for Life (HSUS), Pet Over Population (Flint Family Foundation and PetSmart), and low cost for pet owners who do not meet the criteria for PFL or POP. It is heartwarming to see pet owners from all three programs sit next to each other – provide encouragement (and comfort) to scared pet owners and pets. All of them are focused on getting their pets fixed so they’ll not have unwanted litters.

Soooo – looking forward - - is transfer and spay/neuter working??? Well, I had a local farmer/rancher tell me they had had no dogs or puppies dumped on their property in the last two years!!! In 2015, we had 150+ owner/surrender dogs waiting to come in and the majority were dogs/puppies that had been dumped in rural northeastern Oklahoma.

Yes, it works. Just ask any of us … and if only the dogs and cats could talk….they would agree as well. Happy New Year - - from PAAS - - - a regional transfer hub and spay/neuter clinic.