Metro Veterinarians Working To Lower Number Of Stray Animals

According to Petsmart Charities, there’s an estimated 100,000 free-roaming cats in the Oklahoma City metro.

Thursday, August 13th 2015, 5:30 pm

By: News 9


According to Petsmart Charities, there’s an estimated 100,000 free-roaming cats in the Oklahoma City metro.

Animal welfare officials say stray, feral and outdoor owned cats are in all neighborhoods in the city.

At one time several years ago, there were more than 200 feral cats in a colony at Lake Hefner.

But metro animal officials captured them as part of a community cat program. They were spayed, neutered and released back to their location.

Animal officials said just removing them didn't get rid of the reproduction source. So, they put the sterilized animals back in their territory to stop the cycle.

There is also a colony of cats at Lake Overholser.

Thursday, about 60 veterinarians played in a golf tournament to raise money to be able to provide spay/neuter services for low-income pet owners.

Dr. Charles Helwig said if an animal isn't fixed, it can have litters multiple times a year.

“One male and female, if they mate and all of their offspring mate and they’re not spayed or neutered, in six years, there’ll be approximately 65,000 animals coming from that one creation,” he said.

And some of those animals end up on the streets, or at risk of being euthanized.

“This is a way to address the heart of the problem. In other words, we can stop the reproduction of unwanted pets, then we’ll have less pets being put to sleep every year,” Dr. Helwig added.

And the cat colony at Lake Hefner is proof that taking away the reproduction source solves the issue. It now only sees 30-40 cats in that area. They are almost all fixed, no longer contributing to the problem.

Visit the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association webpage to learn how to donate.

There are many other resources as well. Any pet owner in Oklahoma City can get the surgery for free for their pet at the OKC animal shelter.

The volunteer that feeds the cats at Lake Hefner is Jaylonna Cook with Kitty Wranglers Cat Rescue. Cook can be reached at 405-919-0864. The not-for-profit is always in need of donations.

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