TulsaPets Magazine November 2023

November / December 2023 • TulsaPets 15 People who like to spend time with animals can find numerous volunteer opportunities at the Tulsa SPCA. Visit the website at https://www .tulsaspca.org to sign up. Community organizations, including DVIS and Meals onWheels of Metro Tulsa, partner with the Tulsa SPCA to provide basic health services and other care resources for their clients’ pets. record-breaking for us, and we’re on track to match that this year. We’re definitely seeing our needs staying consistent.” Adding Staff and Space TSPCA added nine staff positions last year to keep up with the increased demands for services. Most of the new staff members are part of the pet-care and clinic teams, Long says. “We’re really trying to put the resources directly into the care of the animals that have been placed in our custody.” In addition, the facility added 22 acres adjacent to its current location, which will help to set the stage for future growth of the organization’s campus, Long says. “It’s an incredible step. We’re superexcit- ed about it,” she says. “Hand in hand with that piece is that we also just completed our strategic plan for the next three to five years, which will ensure the growth and success of the organization.” Collaborating with the Community A key to that success is TSPCA’s communi- ty collaborations and partnerships. “Our mission is all about improving the lives of cats and dogs and their human companions,” says Long. “We’ve added that phrase ‘and their human companions’ because we know about that bond and how strong that is. We want to partner with as many of those organizations that are serv- ing the human client as we can. Then if we can come in and help with the pet clients, that’s where we feel we can be a resource.” Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa is one of those partnerships. Long notes that se- niors will often put off their own needs for those of their animal companions. “We’re one of the providers of the pet food for the Meals on Wheels clients’ pets. We also work with them on medical care for their pets or if they have supply needs like dog houses, leashes, or collars.” TSPCA also works with Domestic Vio- lence Intervention Services (DVIS) in Tulsa and the Spring Shelter in Sand Springs to help provide small kennels and shelter spaces for the pets of women and their chil- dren who are escaping domestic-violence situations. In addition, TSPCA provides basic vaccinations and medical care for those animals. TSPCA is also in early conversations with Iron Gate Tulsa and the Tulsa Day Center about providing similar services to their clients, Long adds. “People say to me all the time, ‘It must be so sad to work in the animal shelter.’ What I’ve really tried to do is change that narra- tive,” says Long. “Yes, it’s sad. We get the sad stories; we get the sad faces. But what I know is that this is the best day of the animals’ lives because it’s their future, and we’re going to change that for them. Once the animals are in our care, we know that they’re going to get good food, clean water, and proper vet care. They’re going to get love and socializa- tion and enrichment, and we’re going to find them their forever homes.” To find out how to support TSPA, including volunteer opportunities and mer- chandise, visit http://www.tulsaspca.org.