In an effort to give pets a home for the holidays, the Edmond Animal Shelter is offering free adoptions every Friday until the end of the year.
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Lenny is currently available for adoption at the Edmond Animal Shelter. Photo by Heather Moery -
Madden found a new home through adoption on Dec. 1. Photo by Heather Moery -
Steve was successfully adopt on Dec. 1. Photo by Heather Moery
Kenny Stevenson, supervisor of Animal Services and director of the Edmond Animal Shelter, said animal shelter staff came up with the idea of Free Me Friday to get more cats and dogs out of the shelter and into their forever homes.
“Adoptions have slowed down,” Stevenson said. “We figured out a way to get creative and it sounds like a perfect fit for Fridays.”
Stevenson said the first Free Me Friday began Fri., Nov. 17, in which three dogs and one cat were adopted at no charge. The usual adoption fee is $25.
On the second Free Me Friday, which took place Fri., Dec. 1, four cats were adopted.
Cara Drake, administrative specialist at the Edmond Animal Shelter, said all adoptions have been successful so far.
“We are doing what we can to get animals into the right homes,” Drake said. Drake said the process of adopting a pet takes less than one hour from start to finish.
Drake said the adoption process begins with browsing for pets on the animal shelter’s website or browsing through the adoption booklet in the animal shelter lobby. The next step is to fill out paperwork and to answer questions to make sure the pet you choose is a right fit for your home, family and lifestyle. After filling out paperwork, a staff member will bring the pet into a ‘get acquainted’ room, where you can play and get to know the dog or cat. If everything is a good fit, then the pet can then go to its new home.
Stevenson said the process is heavily vetted, but for good reason, especially at this time of the year when people may be considering giving a pet as a gift for the holidays.
“It’s not just something you can stick in a crate and yard and be done with it, so we ask a lot of questions.” Stevenson said. “It is a huge responsibility.”
Stevenson said some examples of types of questions the shelter asks includes how much time is spent outside of the home and if they can financially take care of the pet as well, which takes around $1,000 a year.
“You’ve got to be willing,” Stevenson said. “Animals are just like people.”
Stevenson said all pets available for adoption at the shelter are spayed or neutered, evaluated for behavior and have basic health shots. Paws For Life is currently sponsoring the shelter, so the pets are also microchipped.
Currently 12 dogs available for adoption at the shelter, but no cats are available. Drake said seven dogs and three cats are being evaluated and will hopefully be available for adoption soon.
Stevenson said the shelter oftentimes receives guinea pigs, chickens and roosters as well, but there are none at this time.
Lenny, a female dog around five to six years old and weighs around 40 pounds, is available for adoption.
Kaleigh Oseland, the animal shelter’s coordinator, said Lenny is great with people and other dogs and loves luxurious, soft bedding and blankets. “She’s an inside queen,” Oseland said.
In addition to pets needing good homes, Stevenson said the shelter is also currently in need of wet and dry puppy and kitten food, as well as calm toys.
Although not in a dire need of volunteers at this time, Stevenson said volunteers and staff are essential in helping socialize pets and making them adoptable. “They are a huge part of what we do,” Stevenson said.
Stevenson said the shelter has taken in about 750 in 2023 compared to 987 pets in 2022.
The shelter is located at 2424 Old Timbers Dr. in Edmond. It is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and can be reached at (405) 216-7615