Oklahoma flooding impacting pets, too

Oklahoma flooding is affecting not only humans, but their pets as well.

It’s always stormy in the Sooner State in May, but this year has been something else. Relentless waves of storm cells keep coming, causing widespread Oklahoma flooding, creating a fair amount of havoc in the northeastern portion of the state.

There have been slightly less than double the amount of tornado watches and tornado warnings compared to a typical May, and around four times as many flood warnings.

The Arkansas and Verdigris Rivers have been flooded for around two weeks, as Keystone Dam and Oolagah Dam – the major gateways for water flowing into those specific rivers – have been far over capacity, forcing the engineers to release the excess water from the locks.

Keystone Lake has been clocked at 34 feet above normal, and has been steadily releasing around 275 thousand cubic feet per second for most of this week. That’s more than three times the amount Niagara Falls produces.

A partial listing of towns near Tulsa dealing with major flooding include Claremore, Gore, Muskogee, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook, and Webbers Falls.

Many shelters do not allow pets to take refuge there, so that’s where Tulsa’s Veterinary Associates comes in.

They are hosting a pet supply drive to benefit the Humane Emergency Animal Rescue Team (HEART) from the Humane Society of Tulsa, which has set up a temporary shelter at the Tulsa Fairgrounds Pavilion at 4145 East 21st Street.

Among the most pressing needs are

• Crates and kennels
• Fleece blankets
• Food bowls
• Towels
• Chew toys
• Cat toys
• Peanut butter
• Rabbit food
• Rabbit housing

Until they run out of crates and kennel space, HEART will be able to house affected animals.

Donations can be brought to the Veterinary Associates clinic at 6925 S 69th East Avenue, and they will deliver the supplies to the River Spirit Expo Center.

The Tulsa SPCA is transporting animals displaced by the flood waters to a shelter in Illinois on Friday, but they need crate donations for the dogs and cats. Specifically, they need 10 Medium plastic crates, 15 Large plastic crates, and 10 Extra Large plastic pet crates. Metal crates will also work.

Donations can be dropped off at the Pavilion or at the Tulsa SPCA at 2910 Mohawk Blvd.

Until further notice, due to the extra work necessary to care for the flooded pets, the Tulsa SPCA will be closed to the public except for donation drop-offs, clinic services and volunteer efforts. No adoptable pets will be available until things settle down somewhat.