Central Oklahoma Humane Society: Disaster Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society (OK Humane) applied the $5,000 grant from the Petfinder Foundation towards outside emergency medical expenses associated with animals injured during the the May 20th, 2013 tornado that devastated the City of Moore and parts of South Oklahoma City.
The grant provided by the Petfinder Foundation covered a portion of reimbursement to outside Veterinarians that assisted OK Humane with the treatment of critically injured animals found immediately following the May 20th tornado. Gifts like the one given by the Petfinder Foundation enabled OK Humane to take in a total of 151 animals at our temporary disaster relief facilities. We were thrilled that 67 of the dogs and cats OK Humane took in were reunited with owners during the 45 day reunion time frame. At the end of the 45 days, OK Humane hosted a special adoption event for the animals that did not have families come forward for them. The event was called "Hope After The Storm", and it was hosted on July 13, 2013. Adopters from all over the country pre-registered for a chance to win a ticket to attend the private adoption event. Almost all of the remaining tornado animals were adopted at the event. OK Humane is still caring for several dogs and cats displaced from the storm, and they will receive love and attention until they are adopted by new families.
OK Humane is in the process of launching a long-term area resource plan for residents in disaster affected areas. OK Humane is a member of the Long-Term Area Resource Committee for Oklahoma County. OK Humane staff member Amy Shrodes sits on the Unmet Needs Subcommittee. OK Humane plans to assist owners with outstanding vet bill reimbursement for injuries resulting from the disaster. OK Humane will also be offering free spay/neuter surgeries,
free vaccinations, and free microchipping. The plan is to offer these resources through at least the end of 2013.
How many pets did this grant help?
8 critically injured animals
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Chance the brindle and white Boxer was in horrible shape when his rescuer found him the night of the May 20th, 2013 tornado that ripped through the City of Moore. The fact that he was in an airline carrier is probably the only thing that saved his life.
Chance was sent to the OK Humane disaster relief facility from the triage unit in Moore. Upon arrival, we knew that he needed immediate medical attention. As soon as a volunteer was available we had him transported over to an emergency center where he was treated for facial fractures and lacerations from flying debris on his legs and face.
We are excited to say that several days later Chance was reunited with his family. The person that found Chance was his Grandmother, and she could not believe he was still alive. Her house was completely destroyed by the storm. She thought that Chance was lost forever, and broke down in tears immediately when she saw him come around the corner at our facility. Known as his “Oma”, she had been keeping Chance for her a few weeks for her son in California when the storm hit. The owners stayed in constant contact with us during his sheltering and treatment, and even allowed us to neuter him for free at our high-quality public spay/neuter clinic. One month later, an OK Humane board member flew Chance in a private plane back to his mom and dad in California. This sweet boy truly received a second “chance” at life! Following the progress of his story during the 30 days that we cared for him was an inspiration to the entire OK Humane team.
