Families Still Searching For Pets After Sand Springs Tornado

Many are still looking for family pets that went missing after Wednesday's storm. There's a good chance some of them ended up at Tulsa Animal Welfare shelter near Apache and Erie.

About 20 animals have been brought to the Tulsa Animal Welfare. Half have been picked up, but there are more who just hope their owner come and find them.

From whines and cries to pacing, the dogs are still very shaken up according to SPCA Executive Director, Mindy Tiner.

“They are scared, they don't know what's going on. They just went through a traumatic experience," she said.

Many of their homes were destroyed and they were left wandering around debris looking for their owner.

Some came to SPCA volunteers easily and were carried away; others were very reluctant to leave.

3/26/2015 Related Story: Oklahoma Volunteers Rescuing Pets From Tornado Debris

"This is one we brought in yesterday and he's hoping to find his family soon," Tiner said.

From small to big dogs, all of them are survivors.

"This is Nelson. I remember his name from yesterday and he was hurt, he was trapped, trapped underneath a trailer," said Tiner. "He does have a puncture wound that was treated here but is going to be okay."

While we were at the shelter Nelson's owners showed up to claim him. He was taken out on a leash to be examined by the vet.

Other families weren't so fortunate. They walked around looking in every cage; some even brought a leash, but didn't find their dog.

Tiner said there are likely more four-legged survivors out there, being kept by people who mean well.

"If you find one and try to keep it in your house, we understand you are trying to do a good thing, but that makes it almost impossible for their owner to find them," she said.

Tiner said anyone who has taken a dog or cat in, or is trying to find one, needs to come to the shelter.

"This is the central location, that way we don't have people going from shelter to shelter trying to find animals,” she said.

They will be kept a little bit longer than normal - possibly up to a week - and if they aren't claimed by their owners then they will be up for adoption.

The Tulsa Animal Welfare shelter is located at 3031 North Erie Ave, Tulsa, OK, 74115.

If you are a tornado victim and don't have anything to care for the dog, the SPCA is willing to help with food and other materials. You can call 918-428-7722 for SPCA of Tulsa.

If you don't have a place to keep your dog because you lost your home, call TAW at 918-596-8000 to let them know and they can work with you.

Also, if you have a cat and can't find it, SPCA can loan you a trap to help catch it.