Animal Shelter Event Highlights Need For Pet Adoptions In Tulsa

Animal shelters across the country took part in a pet adoption drive called "Clear The Shelters" on Saturday.

In Tulsa, many shelters are overcrowded after recent hoarding incidents. Local groups took advantage to promote pet adoption here at home.

Ross Clark is celebrating 50 years as a veterinarian in Tulsa.

"I love it because I get to see the gratification of when pets recover, and pets are wonderful to work with,” Clark said. “I like to see the relationship with people and their pets."

Some of his clients are stopping by to congratulate him, but when the hospital realized Saturday is Clear the Shelters Day, it decided to host a pet adoption event, too.

David and Michelle Reed stopped by looking to adopt a labrador.

David wants one by his side while he hunts, and Michelle grew up with a lab.

“We got mine from a pound when she was a puppy, and so I had her for 13 years,” Reed said. “I got her when I was 9, so we kind of grew up together and I really enjoyed that."

David Reed said, "Good dog to have out in the field, even just a snuggly family friend to have at home.”

But dogs aren't the only animals in need of a home, hundreds of animals are crowding local shelters.

Right now, the hospital is holding nine cats recently rescued from Delaware County. They should be ready for adoption next week.

Clark says in his 50 years caring for animals in Tulsa, the hoarding situation has never been this bad.

“This is the most, just seemed like hoarding group after hoarding group right here in our own metroplex," Clark said.

And that's why he says it's important to spend the day encouraging people to adopt. 

“For the comfort of the dog and the good of the community, they need to be adopted,” Clark said.

The Reeds decided not to adopt from the hospital Saturday but plan to keep searching shelters around town.