Across Oklahoma, animal shelters are in crisis. Kennels are overflowing, resources are stretched to the breaking point, and every day, heartbreaking decisions are being made because there simply isn’t enough room or funding.

The cause isn’t a lack of love for animals—Oklahomans care deeply for their pets. The real problem is economic hardship. Inflation and rising living costs are forcing families to make impossible choices: put food on the table, keep the lights on, or surrender the pet they adore. Shelters are now flooded with dogs and cats who once had loving homes, and there’s no relief in sight.

When shelters are overcrowded, animals suffer. They face longer waits for adoption, greater risk of illness, and—in the worst cases—euthanasia due to lack of space. Staff and volunteers are working tirelessly, but their dedication alone can’t fix a system that’s collapsing under financial strain.

We’re calling on the Oklahoma State Legislature, local governments, and community leaders to take immediate action by approving emergency funding for municipal and nonprofit animal shelters. This funding would:

• Provide essential supplies like food, bedding, and medicine
• Expand capacity so no animal is turned away
• Support spay/neuter programs to prevent future overcrowding
• Fund outreach to help struggling families keep their pets at home 

Oklahoma’s animals can’t wait. Without swift action, more pets will lose their lives—not because they’re unwanted, but because we didn’t act in time.

We urge you to join us in demanding that state and local leaders treat this for what it is: a humanitarian and animal welfare emergency. The pets who once greeted their families with wagging tails and warm purrs deserve a second chance. With emergency funding, shelters can save lives, reunite pets with new families, and keep Oklahoma a place where compassion leads the way.

Sign this petition today to show our leaders that saving these animals is not optional—it’s urgent, and it’s the right thing to do.