[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6655585,"mediaKeyId","5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d","parentId",5385749,"title","Animal control staffing shortages continue; commission hears neighborhood complaint about dog use at Council Oak stickball park","audioSeconds",181,"startMs",928000,"endMs",1109000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d&start=928&end=1109","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d/thumbnail_928000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655585/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Animal-control-staffing-shortages-continue-commission-hears-neighborhood-complaint-about-dog-use-at-Council-Oak-stickball-park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655585-99e9ce61817a699e0c8e4ada4950a394/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158801&Signature=KOxu2rXqS4vu6f3RO~97F0OtUjV70kxGznLMJcH528~kqwATuc206SQgQ84fPN~ZKl8CStmm6DKUwbQFJ9aDMb6qkCN7Jxr~PR--FPy-7POGG85FNRAo8zsjRpgemqvNlukuOP4zbXorOcz8G1y2uCSweK0tLpgBEDOB54vcacDJizCiUyAnvMAbJthFpIu7XXfmY1DvK17mJZXqk8v-FaR4gI5ENKGEU-M6RD2wK26f79x-x4LxOkmrcwRHE6bY2yzaGQFXBvinudZ1OelPyXZczhgjf8Dbxmng0-v1Oy6WBcMOQs5F7PjG2qTzWGoYqfcSGN1VOVhmeWqMLCdMkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulsa","date","2025-07-14T18:00:00Z","article","Tulsa Animal Services reported staffing gaps and field priorities to the commission on July 14, noting two open animal control officer (ACO) vacancies and a reliance on temporary kennel workers to maintain operations.

Director Sherry Carrier said the department still has “2 ACO slots that are open” and that filling those positions is difficult. Carrier said kennel duties have been supplemented with temporary workers and that one employee is working out of class to cover an absent staffer. She praised the existing ACOs for their work and asked commissioners to encourage qualified applicants to apply via the City of Tulsa website.

On public comment, a neighborhood concern was raised about Council Oak stickball park being used as an informal dog park. A commissioner relayed a complaint from neighbors and asked staff to investigate; Resident Erica Grayson (who identified herself in the meeting) said she would reach out to provide an address so staff could look into enforcement or signage. Carrier said the department conducts sweeps when staffing permits (noting they do some sweeps when the full team is available on Wednesdays).

Carrier emphasized the department’s preference for remedies and resources over fines when possible, saying staff want to provide support — for example through microchips, food or low‑cost spay/neuter services — so residents can keep their pets rather than immediately resorting to citations.

Background: Item 6 on the agenda covered staffing; public comment regarding park use was handled at the end of the meeting under new business/public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tulsa - Animal Welfare Commission - Jul 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners were told two animal control officer positions remain open and that the department conducts targeted sweeps when staffing allows; a resident flagged recurring off‑leash dog use at Council Oak stickball park and staff asked for address details to investigate.","taxTitle","Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma","taxId",2682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655589,"Tulsa Animal Services to study pet‑licensing models after officials say revenue didn’t justify workload in some cities",317,495000,812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d&start=495&end=812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d/thumbnail_495000.jpg","/articles/6655589/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-Animal-Services-to-study-petlicensing-models-after-officials-say-revenue-didnt-justify-workload-in-some-cities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655589-2067eb5899925e9f02ff2c8d2fbed18e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158801&Signature=LtogAfPnVPAOJOu3a9i~moU3y-qc78sCG1sZrfajXe7084C5vWY4~SedggOhoNhESjeEFnOCg3iyCzskrVkaMkh-mjCt3zDQ7QsgMwfTIJ2WVgzaUAKTH7K5Ci8SBbbhFI0SG2WncF3Vo7Rl4-HPuVfYxWMo3vzZm6kabbyGSAXNaOXea5JQGs33GvbaO0svavh3Z-OQgZoOGLFQ5ggw8hwszJOrQUkWnESBLsfp4kUdLV800xFfKdjgkpuCM3KGYHMDzZkhY19NBmCdqHKPGA4vjQxTVYi9Ow7AM7g~5aoxR-UgyauQDcX8EK3-nnQuafh-SU6VFyXMaLGRRP2fmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tulsa Animal Services told the commission it is researching whether a city‑issued pet license program is the best approach for Tulsa after speaking with staff in other cities and assessing local costs and benefits.

Director Sherry Carrier said staff compared practices in Oklahoma and out‑of‑state peers and found mixed results. She cited Norman (Oklahoma) as an example of a jurisdiction that stopped licensing because the administrative work outweighed revenue and compliance benefits. Carrier said the primary public‑health purpose of licensing is to help ensure rabies vaccination, but that many residents obtain vaccinations at free or low‑cost clinics without completing license paperwork.

“We're not gonna willy nilly this. I mean, we're gonna put some research in it and then make the best decision for the citizens of Tulsa and, the city of Tulsa,” Carrier told the commission. She said staff have identified practical barriers — for example, the department currently lacks a mechanism for veterinarians to issue a license electronically at the point of vaccination — and that the department will pursue collaborative options and grant opportunities before recommending any ordinance change.

Commissioners discussed enforcement concerns and equity: requiring licenses can pose financial burdens for households that cannot afford spay/neuter or licensing fees, Carrier said, and the department’s priority is to expand free or low‑cost vaccination and spay/neuter services rather than rely solely on citations. Carrier added staff will return with formal research and proposals before any change to an ordinance or enforcement approach.

Background: Item 5 on the commission agenda listed pet licensing research and possible future decisions. The discussion focused on weighing administrative cost, public‑health benefit and equity implications of licensing programs.","Animal Services staff told commissioners they are researching pet‑licensing programs in peer cities after finding that licensing can require more administrative work than revenue returns; staff emphasized outreach and low‑cost services rather than enforcement-only approaches.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655594,"Tulsa Animal Services schedules July 19 adoption event; microchip scanners rolled out to fire stations",104,284000,388000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d&start=284&end=388","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d/thumbnail_284000.jpg","/articles/6655594/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-Animal-Services-schedules-July-19-adoption-event-microchip-scanners-rolled-out-to-fire-stations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655594-5d8e063bd97a2cbb75f6a039350f27ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158801&Signature=f3ExPQsEuXs6AyyalFIFDIWgwNAanLc9QTMcOlR7NNlaJJpC1njpJnxjzBNBpW-ajMAvSMvF2nww4~uVpRzlWMKkRz5zK0ezlMooQ0VRB08Oe3nu17NMC-DvRGnbAqLs2lS5YArnUq5qGfp7P9IimOVymhLppTf1vmLSWCbXSd5u5QA1nMTbP69Qt2O2wbcQcPsBX6mQTB9fE1hVYxVdwYJNuFV72FhYtUBMDlHFUFSAAmL71HJBiEkO1sshDueSH1Rj6bOMsrAXAbX~FmLb-FdX7M8~GtlxzuikNwo2j26~VLPIsf60KXMfpExuKhe9Jbg0MPsct8KN9yZwtUjVQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tulsa Animal Services told the Animal Welfare Commission it will host an adoption event July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Centennial Veterans Park and expects about 15 foster dogs to be available.

Sherry Carrier, the department director, said the event will be adoption‑focused only; the department does not plan to offer vaccinations at that date. Staff said they will provide shade canopies, “misters” and coordination with the water department so animals can be cooled during the hot hours. Carrier encouraged commissioners and the public to attend.

Carrier also described continuing partnerships: the department has begun placing microchip scanners at Tulsa Fire Department stations so firefighters can scan found animals and help reunite pets with owners without a shelter visit. The commission heard that a pop‑up microchip event ran before July 4 and that staff are planning additional microchip and pit‑stop events in September with the Humane Society of Tulsa, including a location at LaFortune Park and possibly the zoo. Those September events may include free spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchips and some pet food, depending on partner confirmations.

Carrier said these outreach efforts complement the department’s foster and adoption work: “We actually had animals that all got adopted. We had to actually go pick up more to take back,” she said, describing a prior event’s demand. She also noted the department is expanding microchip scanning availability and said the scanners were distributed to fire stations to make it easier for residents who find a lost pet.

The commission asked whether upcoming events would include vaccines; staff reiterated the July 19 date is adoption‑only but described potential services at September pit‑stop events.

Background: Item 4 on the commission agenda covered past and upcoming events, outreach partnerships and community engagement strategies to increase adoptions and reconnect lost pets with owners.","Animal Services announced a July 19 adoption event at Centennial Veterans Park and outlined outreach programs including microchip scanners at fire stations and upcoming pit‑stop spay/neuter events in partnership with Humane Society of Tulsa.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655599,"Tulsa Animal Services says new shelter construction progressing despite rain; aims for 2026 opening",114,76000,190000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d&start=76&end=190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5385749-aa22ce9eea95d11fcaf255dab867a92d/thumbnail_76000.jpg","/articles/6655599/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-Animal-Services-says-new-shelter-construction-progressing-despite-rain-aims-for-2026-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655599-e72d44e5759a69a15fca91cc5785df21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158801&Signature=luI22c-meIFh2824XRwVOysmbDoAs253n4~d3zIF2nTkxrhiUMH7CPs3Z5cPF3-0zKl8CQ-wiR3E6Xena1vli5~MJ98tpV2YCKRIQXiJ95bBabVRCkh1fRh1uB-F~0cWvGg7WfeTv4YFf1zaLmENQOwajnbVpEEIVz0zWNHyBH~xW6xAUYGdr6thMYXuO5rmgwpcGPgyDj63pj5GjaaWtDtlKiWAeIgEPTsb4S8EAIG22~QfHbXlMTkYE8W6r5z8HKAs4bgW2sP1h4849yhIaDvNTlBIYU846vTdPGnnm2RA6MO9dRj2gpUftGP1H9y88gs65rZxoO862f1by2WaWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tulsa Animal Services told the Tulsa Animal Welfare Commission on July 14 that work on the department’s new animal services facility is moving forward despite recent weather delays, with foundation footings poured and underground utilities scheduled next.

Sherry Carrier, director of Tulsa Animal Services, summarized a Timberlake Construction Company schedule showing a three‑week sequence of expected work: pouring the majority of exterior foundation footings, finishing foundation footings and starting under‑slab plumbing and electrical work, then completing underground utilities and finishing site grading. Carrier said rain had pushed some work back but that crews hoped to make up days and remain on track for a 2026 completion.

Carrier told commissioners the contractor had to wait for dirt to dry after storms but that site grading was largely complete. “So super excited about that, and hopefully, weather permitting, they make up the days they lost, and we stay on track for our 2026 date,” Carrier said. She added that she will continue to provide updates at monthly commission meetings.

Commissioners asked operational questions during the update. One commissioner asked whether underground plumbing could proceed if wet weather continued; Carrier said the site manager (Jeremy) indicated they expected to proceed when feasible. When a commissioner asked what would happen to the existing shelter, Carrier said that was a separate issue not on that meeting’s agenda and that “we have had conversations about it.”

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the minutes as submitted at the start of the meeting. The motion was made and seconded on the record; roll call recorded Commissioners Hall, Kinsweiler, Burkett and Suarez voting yes. The mover, seconder and votes from Commissioners Paul and Coonsweiler were not specified on the transcript.

Background: The update on the new facility came under Item 3 on the commission agenda. Carrier and staff framed the construction timeline as weather‑dependent and emphasized contractor coordination and monthly status reports going forward.

Commissioners and staff said they would return with further details on the old facility and any related operational changes at a later meeting.","City animal services staff reported foundation work and underground utilities are underway at the new Tulsa Animal Services facility after weather delays; construction manager says crews hope to stay on schedule for a 2026 opening.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Animal control staffing shortages continue; commission hears neighborhood complaint about dog use at Council Oak stickball park

Tulsa Animal Services to study pet‑licensing models after officials say revenue didn’t justify workload in some cities

Tulsa Animal Services schedules July 19 adoption event; microchip scanners rolled out to fire stations

Tulsa Animal Services says new shelter construction progressing despite rain; aims for 2026 opening