Spay Day USA Hits Tulsa

The Tulsa Animal Welfare Department invited the public to stop in for a tour of their facility on Tuesday. The tour was in support of Spay Day USA. Tours were given every half hour from 1 to five.

Earlier this month, The Tulsa City Council proclaimed February as National Pet Overpopulation Month.

So, going with the theme, "It's Hip To Snip" pet owners were urged to take a tour as well as get educated on animal welfare issues of today, and how to help.

"We really need people to just really be responsible about loving an animal. It includes taking care of its medication, the whole spectrum," said Program Planner, Millicent Adu-H' Torah.

It's important to have your animals spayed and neutered because if you don't, you leave little animals waiting for a forever home that might never come.

It's hard to believe that two unaltered cats and their offspring can produce more than 420,000 little bundles of joy in just seven years. Two unaltered dogs and their offspring can result in 67,000 puppies in need of a good home. The average rate to spay for kittens is $15 and $20 for puppies.

Last year two local groups, The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals and Spay Oklahoma were able to sterilize more than 850 animals. They hope to reach 1,200 dogs and cats this year.

The tours were a hit. Mary Botts came to the animal welfare department to look at volunteering opportunities for her daughter. With so many animals at the center, it's hard not to get sentimental.
"I think it's sad and it's a major problem. All the animals we have, we always have them spayed or neutered," said animal lover, Mary Botts.
Staff at the center says most animals are good pets that have had bad luck. If you would like to get involved visit the Tulsa Animal Welfare Department's website.

By: Margaret Stokes, NewsOn6.com Anchor/Reporter & Chris Howell, Video Journalist