Tulsa Animal Shelters Aim To Spay & Neuter 500 Bully-Breed Dogs To Help With Overpopulation

The cost to spay and neuter a pet can be pricey, which is why Tulsa animal advocates are working this month to remove the financial burden.

Tulsa Animal Welfare and the Humane Society of Tulsa have teamed up for "Operation Pit Stop," a free pet clinic that is being held at the former Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center. Pet owners with a bully breed or mixed-pit-breed dogs can get them spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped for free this month.

The two shelters partnered with area veterinarians who are volunteering their time to offer these free services. National sponsors have also stepped up to ensure everyone who signs their pet up leaves with a bag of dog food, treats, and is registered for a chance to win $1,000.

Gina Gardner, the President of the Humane Society of Tulsa, and Sherri Carrier, the Tulsa Animal Welfare Manager, said Pitbull breeds are filling up Tulsa's shelters, causing the need for this service to be much greater. Gardner said that in its first week, Operation Pit Stop has already helped nearly 200 animals.

"We are hearing from these owners that a lot of these animals have already had litters. We have actually had several females that were pregnant, and the owners did not even realize," she continued saying, "So, the need is there, the issue is there, the problem is there, the goal of our program is just to break down all of the barriers for people to be able to get this procedure done."

Veterinarian at Tulsa Animal Urgent Care, Suzanne Caruso, said that she, along with seven doctors and four staff members from her clinic, volunteered to help with Operation Pit Stop. She said that offering these services at no cost is imperative to addressing the problem.

"People do not realize that they are $250 to $300 at your local veterinarian, if not more, and Operation Pit Stop is providing this for free, so I encourage people to get their animals signed up," Caruso said.

Operation Pit Stop runs through the month of June, with the goal of helping spay and neuter 500 dogs. Appointments are required, click here at https://www.tulsapets.com/.

The free pet clinic is located at 315 S. Gilcrease Museum Rd. in Tulsa.