Another Chance at Life

It’s Christmas morning and a family member presents their loved one with a sweet dog or cat as a Christmas gift. But what happens after the magic of Christmas is over and the family realizes they may not have the resources to take care of this special gift?

That’s when shelters like the Edmond Animal Shelter offer crucial help. Supervisor of Animal Services Unite, Kenny Stevenson, explains that January is a challenging month because people surrender or return animals they may have adopted from the shelter. This creates strain, not just on the shelter and its resources, but for the animals and the staff caring for them as well.

During the holiday season, the Edmond Animal Shelter houses up to 50 percent capacity, but shortly after, the capacity rises nearly 25 percent due to dogs and cats being surrendered. “New pet owners may experience financial difficulties or lifestyle challenges they hadn’t initially anticipated when owning a pet,” Stevenson said.

When owners decide to surrender their pet, it also places enormous stress on the animal. The staff has to work to help the animal feel safe again after changing their environment, routine and the people caring for them.

For those who don’t adopt a pet, there are other ways to help the shelters by donating, specifically food and toys. The Edmond Animal Shelter staff is grateful for the continual, generous donations they receive for grown cats and dogs, and in the future, hopes to see donations of much-needed wet and dry puppy and kitten food.

Many people volunteer their time instead. The Edmond Animal Shelter is run by a staff of volunteers who donate their time to see that the animals feel loved and cared for and get enough outside playtime. The shelter recently introduced a new program called the Doggy Day Out Program, allowing volunteers to take dogs out of the shelter to explore the community for a day.

The connection an animal can make with a human in a short time is powerful. It made all the difference for a sweet dog named Arnold, a black and tan mix breed who was first surrendered by his owner after years of mistreatment.

On a daily basis, Kaleigh Oseland, Animal Shelter Coordinator, spends many hours with dogs like Arnold. She explained that it is vital for people to understand that “for some dogs like Arnold, patience and trust could mean the biggest difference when trying to make a connection.”

After years of waiting, Arnold was given another chance at life. An elderly couple, who had just lost their dog to old age, asked to get to know Arnold in hopes he would become part of their family. “He didn’t bond with them right away,” Oseland said, “so they just sat patiently with him for an hour. We explained to them that Arnold probably wouldn’t come up to them right away or be very playful, and he may even appear to be timid or fearful.” The couple continued to spend hours with him while they read magazines. Eventually, Arnold felt more comfortable.

A week after his adoption, Arnold’s new family called the shelter to inform them that Arnold is loving his new home and is the perfect addition to their family. “That’s really all it takes,” Oseland added, “for someone to interact with a troubled dog and work with them through counseling and understanding.”

For more information visit edmondok.gov.