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Community Rallies to Help Pets Find Shelter After Winter Storm
Tulsa animal shelters overwhelmed as more stray pets are brought in after recent winter weather.
Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:39pm
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After a recent winter storm in Tulsa, Oklahoma, local animal shelters have become overwhelmed with an influx of stray pets. Community members and animal rescue organizations are working tirelessly to help find temporary and permanent homes for the animals, as shelters are already over capacity. Volunteers are fostering pets, photographing dogs to aid in adoptions, and networking with shelters to address the growing pet overpopulation crisis in the area.
Why it matters
The winter storm has exacerbated the ongoing issue of pet overpopulation in Tulsa, with more stray animals ending up in already crowded shelters. This highlights the need for increased community support, foster homes, and pet adoption to alleviate the strain on local animal welfare organizations.
The details
Several Tulsa animal shelters, including Tulsa Animal Services, are over capacity by at least 150 animals. Community groups like the Oklahoma Animal Alliance and Shelter Support Network are working to network with shelters, photograph dogs to aid in adoptions, and recruit more foster homes. Tulsa Animal Services has even begun posting a priority list of animals scheduled for euthanasia in an effort to find them homes before the end of the week.
- The recent winter storm in Tulsa led to an influx of stray pets being brought to local shelters.
- Tulsa Animal Services announced last week that the shelter is over capacity by at least 150 animals.
The players
Jan Lavender
A board member and volunteer with the Oklahoma Animal Alliance, working to address the pet overpopulation crisis in the area.
Nyssa Walker
The co-founder and president of the Shelter Support Network and Friends of TAS, organizations that help network with shelters and photograph dogs to aid in adoptions.
Tulsa Animal Services
The local animal shelter in Tulsa that is over capacity and has begun posting a priority list of animals scheduled for euthanasia.
What they’re saying
“The pet overpopulation is worse than ever, and everybody's doing what they can. The rescues are full, the shelter is full, and everybody's just working endlessly to try and solve the problem.”
— Jan Lavender, Board member and volunteer, Oklahoma Animal Alliance
“Last year, I think I took in 12 fosters total, which seems like a lot, but there are other people out there that take in many more. There's always a need for fosters out there in our community.”
— Nyssa Walker, Co-founder and president, Shelter Support Network and Friends of TAS
What’s next
Tulsa Animal Services has begun posting a priority list of animals scheduled for euthanasia, in an effort to find them homes before the end of the week.
The takeaway
The winter storm has exacerbated the ongoing issue of pet overpopulation in Tulsa, highlighting the critical need for increased community support, foster homes, and pet adoptions to alleviate the strain on local animal welfare organizations.
