As the holiday season approaches, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is rolling out a slate of new programs and events aimed at reuniting pets with their families, enriching the lives of shelter animals and giving the community more opportunities to support local pets in need. The shelter is working to ease overcrowding while helping more animals find safety, comfort and permanent homes.
Fire stations begin microchip scanning to help lost pets get home faster
OKC Animal Welfare is partnering with the OKC Fire Department to help families find their lost pets without the animals ever entering the shelter. Two fire stations—Station 25 at 2701 SW 59th St. and Station 30 at 4343 S. Lake Hefner Dr.—are now equipped with microchip scanners.
Residents who find a stray pet can bring it to either station, where firefighters will scan for a microchip and share the number and owner-lookup instructions with the finder. The process allows lost pets to go straight home, reducing stress for animals and helping ease pressure on the shelter.
“It’s always better for a lost pet to go directly back home rather than spend time in the shelter,” said Ronnie Schlabs, superintendent of OKC Animal Welfare. “By working with the Fire Department, we’re making it easier for neighbors to help neighbors and giving families more opportunities to be reunited quickly. This partnership saves time, reduces stress on the animals, and ultimately saves lives. We are grateful to the Oklahoma City Fire Department for their support and commitment in helping make this program possible.”
Pets may not be left at the stations. Residents unable to hold onto a found pet can contact OKC Animal Welfare dispatch at (405) 297-2255 for help.
Lost-pet reporting system upgraded to boost reunions
OKC Animal Welfare has improved its lost-pet reporting system to help more pets return home quickly. The shelter now uses a platform powered by Petco Love Lost, which lets people search for lost or found pets using photos and detailed reports.
Community members can visit petcolovelost.org or okc.gov/animal-welfare to see if their lost pet has been reported or to submit a new found-animal report. If no matches are found, users can create a report and check back frequently for updates.
“At OKC Animal Welfare, our primary goal is to reunite every lost animal with their family,” said Crystal Slocum, administrative specialist for OKC Animal Welfare. “We recognize that pets are cherished members of the household, and when they go missing, their absence is deeply felt. By implementing Petco Love Lost, we are taking another meaningful step toward increasing the number of pets returned home swiftly and safely.”
The system is designed to increase the likelihood of pets returning home without entering the shelter. By giving people the ability to report and search for pets 24/7, the program empowers the community and improves reunification rates.
Holiday foster program offers dogs a break from the shelter
To help dogs decompress during the busy winter months, OKC Animal Welfare is inviting residents 18 and older to participate in its Home for the Holidays program. The initiative allows community members to “flash foster” an adoptable dog for up to two weeks, giving them comfort and companionship outside the shelter. Fosters may return the dog at the end of the stay or begin the adoption process.
“Home for the Holidays not only gives pets a chance to relax in a home environment but also helps them gain valuable exposure to potential adopters during the busy holiday season,” said Brock Rowe, OKC Animal Welfare development services director. “The holidays are about giving, and this is a chance to give a dog something they truly need, care, comfort and a place to belong. A short stay in a home helps them relax, feel loved and often opens the door to adoption. It is one of the best gifts anyone can give this season.”
All participating dogs are spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations. Dogs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the shelter Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. The program runs through the end of the year.
A season of helping animals and strengthening community connections
This holiday season, OKC Animal Welfare is focused on keeping pets and families together while easing the strain on shelter capacity. Residents who want to support local animals through adoption, fostering, donations or volunteer work can learn more at okc.gov/animal-welfare.
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