McIntosh County as a whole has seen its fair share of animals being abandoned. Eufaula pound has picked up four dogs just this past week and local shelters like Happy Paws in Checotah has also seen the increase. Even the rescue organization Paws N Claws-Eufaula has had an overwhelming increase with residents reaching out and asking for help because of the number of animals being dumped almost daily in the county. This increase has caused the need for more volunteers, additional foster homes and extra awareness for the community that responsible owners get their animals spayed or neutered.

“I’ve been doing this for 16 years and it’s never ending,” Kate Paris with Happy paws stated. “It’s just so sad and depressing. We have transported out over 20,000 and spayed and neutered over 40,000 and there is still no end in sight.”

Since starting the Paws N Claws-Eufaula organization to help find homes for the pound pups brought in to the Eufaula pound, which is not a shelter and so it has a 10-day policy before being euthanized, volunteers like Lori Powell-Fells now are feeling the pressure that they may not be able to save every dog that comes into the pound.

“Since we started in January no pound pups have been euthanized but every day we worry that this will be the day we can’t find someone to step up and help,” Powell-Fells said. “We have been able to rescue and rehome 21 from the pound and twice as many in the community as people have reached out day after day asking for our help. However, at this rate they’re in no way of staying ahead of the game if people keep dumping their animals like they are trash to be discarded. People think it cost too much to get them spayed or neutered, but believe me it costs even more to feed those extra mouths each month and it’s costing our community in the long run. That’s why we have to see change in our county, starting with getting animal control in Eufaula. They also hope others will become advocates and volunteers to help save these poor animals from an ill-fated circumstance due to irresponsible owners.”

Besides helping at the pound, Paws N Claws-Eufaula has also started a Free Pet Pantry located at the Eufaula Indian Journal where people who are struggling to feed their pets can go by and pick up a gallon bag or two of dog food or cat food. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and donations are also accepted and go directly to the abandoned and neglected animals.

“The best thing any owner can do for their pet is to get them spayed or neutered for their own safety and health,” Powell- Fells said. “Believe me when I say it’s for your sanity and ours too.”