Creek County Families Turn To Facebook To Locate Missing Pets

The wildfires that burned through Creek County last weekend prompted mandatory evacuations and many people were forced to leave their pets behind.

When many returned home, if they had a home to return to, they found their pets were gone.

Now Oklahoma's Own are working to find lost pets, care for them, and reunite them with their owners.

At the Creek County fairgrounds, ranchers are able to donate or pick up hay for livestock displaced by the fire.

Many are still looking for their pets and say they are hopeful they survived.

8/6/2012 Related Story: Rescue Group Holds Drive For Creek County Displaced Animals

Rocky is a two-year-old Boxer.

"He's a big ole lap dog. He thinks he is like our little weenie dog," said his owner, Carla Marshall.

He's been missing since wildfires destroyed his home in Mannford.

Chuck and Carla Marshall said they left their home on Friday night when the power went out. They left Rocky and another dog at home, not knowing they wouldn't be able to go back and get them.

"We were still hopeful when we got there that the yard didn't burn down and the dogs would still be in the fence but that didn't happen," Chuck said.

They are hopeful Rocky's instincts kicked in and he fled the flames.

"I'm sure he was scared with the house being on fire. He's cooped up in the fence," Chuck said.

The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals is spearheading the effort for lost and found pets.

The Marshalls said they put Rocky's picture up on a Facebook page dedicated to matching pets and owners.

"Someone said they'd seen a boxer come running out of the woods. Went right in to 33 and 48 junction," Carla said. "Everyone out there was working so hard, so if he ran, I know somebody would see him."

Meanwhile, donations of pet food and supplies are stacking up for shelters full of displaced pets.

"We need the dog food. We need the dog beds. You have to realize a lot of them are starting from scratch," said Lori Hall, executive director of the Tulsa SPCA

The Tulsa SPCA is collecting the goods to deliver to shelters in Mannford, Drumright, Sand Springs, and Bristow.

The Marshalls said they keep the faith that Rocky will turn up safe.

"It's just heartbreaking not knowing if he made it," Chuck said.

Rocky wasn't wearing a collar and he is not fixed.

If you recognize him, or if you've found or lost a pet, log on to the Creek County Displaced Animals Facebook page.

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