FRIENDS OF THE SHELTER FOUNDATION

We host a mobile spay/neuter clinic in rural Oklahoma towns periodically to make it more convenient and inexpensive for families to have their pets safely altered, vaccinated and microchipped. We also host low cost vaccine/microchip clinics as well.

In 2020 we applied for grants in hopes of starting a "Spay It Forward" program to help families get their pets altered that might not otherwise be able to afford it. We received a grant and did our own fundraiser so we can start the program. So far it's helped dozens of families and we hope to see it grow in years to come.

We are also worked with our local Newcastle shelter leaders to get a budget approved to build a new climate-controlled facility. We're hopeful that the new building will be complete by the end of 2022.

Education, attending city council meetings in these small communities to affect changes to local laws and animal treatment, and applying for grants that can help us accomplish the goals mentioned above.

We've added new board members with varying skills, including but not limited to: a Vet tech, banker and former shelter employee. We also continue education for all of our board members by attending animal conferences throughout the year when they're offered via Zoom, and some in-person.

Since our founding in 2013 we've managed to rescue over 1000 dogs and nearly 500 cats, not to mention the hundreds of others we've assisted by transferring to other rescues via transport, or aided financially.

We've also helped implement a spay/neuter program at the Newcastle shelter in 2019. Prior to that they were adopting out animals unaltered with just a sterilization agreement, and nobody was following up to ensure the animals were getting spayed/neutered. Now no animal leaves that shelter prior to getting altered, so we feel this will help our community's overpopulation in the long run. Especially since Newcastle is growing so fast.