Nonprofit Provides Checkup Services For Tulsa Pet Owners Struggling With Homelessness

The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals helped Tulsans struggling with homeless keep their pet safe, happy and healthy.

Wednesday, July 14th 2021, 5:36 pm

By: Sawyer Buccy

TULSA, Oklahoma -

One of the ballrooms at the former Wyndham Hotel near 41st and Highway 169 - now called Hotel to Housing - has been transformed by the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.

"No matter your housing situation, pets can provide companionship and comfort and so we really want to help them keep their pets healthy," said OAA Executive Director Erin Shackelford.

This is an event for the people with Housing Solutions Tulsa who live at the former hotel and have animals they are struggling to take care of. The Pet Fair was funded by OAA.

Housing Solutions started leasing this hotel in March to house people struggling with homelessness as they seek long-term help.

"Vaccines and spay and neuter can be inaccessible to some people due to transportation and cost," said Shackelford.

"It is helping me get his shots, get his tag, it is going to help him get neutered and chipped," said pet owner and Hotel to Housing resident Samantha Bough.

Anyone can come downstairs to get their pets chipped, vaccinated, spayed, or neutered, even tested for heartworms.

"It is truly a blessing, what y'all do for us. I can't thank y'all enough for the help that y'all gave to me. It is a beautiful thing," said pet owner and Hotel to Housing resident Fellon Batson.

Residents told News On 6 these pets have become family members and have provided them with a lot of comfort.

"I was kind of in a bad spot a little bit, just going through it so I thought I would get me a dog, they say it is therapeutic," said Batson. "He is like my best friend right now."

"He has helped me tremendously with my anxiety, and my seizures - everything," said Bough.

Housing Solutions staff said their lease ends on July 31 and almost everyone at the former hotel has found housing. They said they’re working to find other safe housing options to help others.

If you’d like to help Housing Solutions, click here.

To help out Oklahoma Alliance for Animals continue funding these type of projects, click here.