Q&A with Animal Welfare
Adoptable pet from OKC Animal Welfare
Information provided by the OKC Animal Welfare Superintendent, Ronnie Schlabs.
Do you know what to do if you see a stray animal, or an animal acting unusually? We had the opportunity for a Q&A with Oklahoma City Animal Welfare representatives on ways to stay safe around animals:
What should you do if you are walking and see a dog or cat acting aggressively?
If you see an animal acting aggressively, such as growling, lunging, or blocking your path, stay calm and give it plenty of space. Do not run or shout, as that can make the situation worse. Slowly move away and place a barrier such as a car, fence, bag, stick, or any object between you and the animal so that if it tries to bite, it contacts the object instead of you. Once you are safe, contact Oklahoma City Animal Welfare at (405) 297-2255 or call 911 if the animal is posing an immediate danger to people or other animals. Officers are trained to safely respond and protect both residents and animals.
If you call Animal Control on a stray, what then happens to that animal?
When an officer responds to a stray animal call, they will scan the animal in the field for a microchip and check for any visible identification. If the owner can be located, the officer will make every effort to return the animal home right away.
If the animal must be brought to Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, it will be scanned again and given a physical exam. Animals without identification are held for three business days, while those with tags or a microchip are held for five business days to give owners time to reclaim them. After that period, unclaimed animals are evaluated for adoption, rescue placement, or foster care.
In some cases, animals with serious medical conditions, unsafe behavior, or when shelter space and resources become limited, may face humane euthanasia. These decisions are never made lightly and always consider the animal’s welfare, safety, and the availability of placement options. The goal remains to reunite lost pets with their families or find them safe, loving homes whenever possible.
Are kennels always full at Animal Control? How do organizations like OK Humane help?
While the shelter has been trending lower recently, there are still very few kennels compared to the number of animals coming in each day, and staff must always keep some space open for new animals that need care. Partnerships with groups like OK Humane are essential. They help by transferring animals into foster homes, hosting adoption events, providing medical care, and assisting with spay and neuter programs. They even take animals into their own shelter and place them in their adoption program, which creates more room at Oklahoma City Animal Welfare and helps even more pets find loving homes.
Can you adopt a pet from OKC Animal Welfare?
Yes. Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is open for adoptions Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. All adopted pets are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and have received all age-appropriate vaccinations. Adoption fees are modest, and promotions often reduce or waive them entirely.
The shelter also offers a Paws to Adopt program, where animals can receive an adoption commitment even if they are not ready to go home just yet, often because they are waiting for their spay or neuter surgery. Once they are ready, staff will contact you to come pick up your new friend and officially welcome them home.
You can see available pets at:
https://www.okc.gov/Services/Animal-Welfare/Adoptions/Pets-Available-for-Adoption
or by visiting the shelter at 2811 SE 29th Street.
How should we teach our kids to interact with animals they don't know?
Children should learn to always ask permission before petting someone else’s dog, not only from the pet’s owner but also from their own parent or guardian. They should never approach a stray or unfamiliar animal.
Teach children to approach slowly and calmly, allowing the animal to see and smell them first. Encourage gentle petting on the side or back of the animal and avoid reaching toward the head or face. Reaching from above can feel threatening to dogs and may cause fear or defensiveness. No hugs or kisses, as these can make even friendly pets uncomfortable.
Most importantly, teach kids to let the animal choose to participate. If the dog walks away or seems uninterested, that is perfectly fine. Forcing interaction can make an animal reactive.
What should a child do if a dog is chasing or running toward them?
If a dog is running toward a child, they should remember to “Be a Tree.” That means stop, fold in your branches, and watch your roots grow. Stand still with feet together, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact. Yelling or running can trigger the dog’s chase instinct. Once the dog loses interest and moves away, the child can slowly back away and tell an adult immediately.
Parents can practice this “Be a Tree” technique with children so they know what to do if it ever happens.
How can we help support animals who need homes in OKC?
There are many ways to help: adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate. Every adoption opens space for another animal in need. Foster homes give pets a break from the shelter, helping them stay healthy and adoptable. Volunteers assist with walks, enrichment, cleaning, laundry, dishes, and community events. Donations, whether supplies, food, or funds, help provide care year-round.
Pet owners can also help by keeping their own pets properly confined and ensuring they are spayed or neutered. There are many misconceptions about what sterilizing a pet actually does.
If there are loose pets in your neighborhood, try posting them on community or lost and found social media pages before calling the shelter, especially if the animal appears healthy and friendly. Many pets are reunited with their families this way, preventing unnecessary shelter stays and keeping space open for animals truly in need.
For more information on how you can get involved, visit: