Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is over capacity after taking in 523 animals seized during a police investigation and subsequent drug bust. The shelter is struggling to house and care for the animals during the emergency rescue.
On Thursday, police arrested four people and saved the animals during a methamphetamine bust at a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue.
The rescue of all these animals is the largest animal seizure in the city’s history. The Oklahoma City’s Development Service Director Brock Rowe categorized the animals rescued as 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons and peacocks. Officers also seized 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, reptiles and one horse.
Fortunately the animals had “been taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to have been malnourished or abused. Rowe believes this had been an animal hoarding situation where too many animals lived on the property.
Four men have been arrested for suspicion of drug trafficking. It is not known if they will be charged with any animal welfare related charges. Authorities have not released their identities.
At this time the shelter is using every space available, both indoors and outdoors to accommodate the hundreds of animals depending on their needs to care for them. The dogs and cats are being housed in temporary crates and kennels. At this time, none of the animals arriving are able to be adopted since they are being held as evidence.
The staff is reaching out to local rescue organizations for help, especially with the birds and livestock.
As for the shelter, it’s over capacity with dogs, said Crystal Slocum, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare representative.
We walked into the kennels this morning and all of our adoptable dogs were saying: ‘Today’s gonna be a good day!’
Why? Because it’s Name Your Price Adoptions!
That’s right — YOU choose your adoption fee for any adoptable dog from today through Saturday! Help make some much-needed room for our canine friends and gain a new best friend at the same time!
They think today is going to be a good day. Let’s prove them right.
All adoptable animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations.
You can view all adoptable animals
https://www.okc.gov/Services/Animal-Welfare/Adoptions
Name Your Price Adoptions
Today through Saturday , 6/27
All adoptable dogs
OKC Animal Welfare
2811 SE 29th St
OKC, OK
Adoption hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5pm.
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