by Rowena Mills
Do you have some time on your paws this fall? Or in any season?
Perhaps you love animals but can’t have any at home for various reasons. It leaves you feeling wistful and not knowing how to fill the void.
But you can help animals and other people — and yourself — in so many ways. Here are some possibilities for volunteer work with whatever creatures interest you — pets, horses, wildlife, or exotic animals.
Volunteering with Pets
You can volunteer to help with cats, dogs, and other household pets at various places in Oklahoma. These are two examples.
Free To Live Animal Sanctuary. Since 1984, Free To Live near Guthrie has been the largest no-kill dog and cat sanctuary in Oklahoma. It has worked to save animals in rural areas which are facing abandonment, neglect, or cruelty. The sanctuary focuses on stray animals which have no one to advocate for them and no access to other resources. Free To Live houses 200 to 300 animals on a 20-acre property. Each animal has a designated living space and indoor/outdoor access at all times (fenced for cats).
“Donations of funds and supplies are always helpful,” says Kaycee Chance, operations director. “We offer daily volunteer opportunities every Tuesday through Saturday regardless of the season.” Volunteering can include cleaning, feeding, grounds work, walking dogs, enriching dogs, or playing with cats.
Chance adds, “We also do regular adoption events in Edmond and love to have volunteers for those events or even for fund-raising events. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old with a parent present to work with the cats and 18 or older to work with the dogs.”
To volunteer, visit https://freetoliveok.org/volunteer. Direct questions to [email protected]. Free To Live Animal Sanctuary is at 9150 South Western Avenue, Guthrie 73044, telephone (405) 282-8617.
Tulsa SPCA. The Tulsa Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded in 1913. Volunteers must provide proof of health insurance, must attend an orientation, and must be at least nine years old. Volunteers ages nine through 15 must have a parent or guardian present.
Volunteer job opportunities include cleaning the buildings or helping with the vaccine clinic, mobile adoption center, adoptions, showings, reception, or socializing dogs and cats.
For more information, check https://www.tulsaspca.org. The Tulsa SPCA is at 2910 Mohawk Boulevard, Tulsa 74110, telephone (918) 428-7722.
Volunteering with Horses
If you prefer to work with horses — or help horses to work with people — you can find places that specialize in equines.
The Right Path Therapeutic Equine-
Assisted Services near Shamrock, founded in 1996, offers programs for adults and children with disabilities. Volunteers can donate “time, talent, and treasure.” They can help with classes, events, barn projects, carpentry, plumbing, welding, and tractor plowing. Donations of money or supplies are welcome.
Leslie Kirkland, executive director, says, “We offer programs for the fall semester in September, including William’s Walk for children and adults with disabilities, Hooves on the Ground for disabled veterans and first responders, and ‘mini’ adventures for people who are unable to come to the barn.”
Visit www.therightpathok.org for more information. The Right Path is at 16620 Old Shamrock Highway, Drumright 74030, telephone (918) 352-4110.
Horse Feathers Equine Center. Since 2006, Horse Feathers Equine Center Inc. in Guthrie has provided services to horses that need health care, nutrition, and rehabilitation.
“We will assist abused, neglected, and slaughter-bound horses in need on a discretionary basis by rehabilitating, training, and placing them in forever homes,” says Cheri White Owl, president and CEO. “Every horse we rehabilitate receives medical attention to address all immediate physical needs and ongoing veterinary, farrier, and alternative/holistic care when needed.”
She adds, “We strive to prevent future cruelty toward horses by educating the community on responsible equine husbandry through instruction, clinics, and classes.”
Horses that are not adoptable because of illness, age, or other circumstances will remain at the facility to live out their lives in a humane manner. Horses that can participate are used in equine-assisted therapy to help people with PTSD, trauma, developmental disorders, drug and alcohol issues, and other mental health disorders.
Horse Feathers is a no-kill facility. Euthanasia is carried out only when deemed necessary by the facility’s veterinarian and under his supervision.
The facility includes horses, donkeys, and barn cats.
Donations for hay, grain, medical care, and farrier services are needed at all times.
Open volunteering is available weekly from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and at the Ole Timers Club from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday. This involves grooming, socializing, doing chores, and organizing supplies.
White Owl says, “We have live-In volunteering typically two weeks to three months, internships (unpaid) for working students, trainer interns, and barn management. These are learning opportunities for those wanting to broaden their knowledge in the equine industry.”
To volunteer, go to https://[email protected]. Horse Feathers is at 6320 North Highway 74C, Guthrie 73044, telephone (405) 250-7281.
Volunteering with Wildlife
If wild creatures tug at your heartstrings, you have plenty of chances to help.
WildCare Oklahoma. Located near Noble, WildCare Oklahoma, founded in 1984, rehabilitates injured and orphaned native Oklahoma wildlife and receives no government funding. Types of volunteer positions include animal care, volunteer transporter, and special projects. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and transporters must have a valid Oklahoma driver’s license and a safe driving record.
For more information, visit https://www.wildcareoklahoma.org. WildCare is at 8505 Wildwood Lane, Noble 73068, telephone (405) 872-9338.
Wild Heart Ranch. Founded in 1996, Wild Heart Ranch near Bushyhead is a state and federally licensed rehabilitation facility for wildlife. Volunteer opportunities are available year-round.
For more information, visit https://
4thewild.org. Wild Heart Ranch is at 10370 South 4190 Road, Claremore 74017, telephone (918) 342-9353.
Volunteering with Exotic Animals
If lions and tigers and bears catch your eye, check out these volunteer opportunities.
Tulsa Zoo. The 84-acre Tulsa Zoo, founded in 1927, is in Mohawk Park. Volunteer opportunities include Zoo Teens, guest services volunteers, interpretive volunteers/docents, animal-area volunteers, and event volunteers. Those who work around animals must provide proof of negative tuberculosis testing.
For more information, email [email protected]. The Tulsa Zoo is at 6421 East 36th Street North, Tulsa 74115, telephone (918) 669-6600.
Oklahoma City Zoo. The 130-acre Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, founded in 1904, offers several volunteer opportunities for adults and teenagers. They include the Junior Curator Program and Zoo Crew for ages 14 through 17. Individual volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Some volunteer positions require proof of a negative tuberculosis test.
Husbandry aides work near animals, but those assignments do not involve direct animal contact, handling, or training.
Visit https://www.okczoo.org for more information. The Oklahoma City Zoo is at 2000 Remington Place, Oklahoma City 73111, telephone (405) 424-3344.
Many more volunteer opportunities involving animals are available in Oklahoma. Have fun searching for them!
