Tulsa pilot targets loose animals and spay/neuter demand in three neighborhoods

At its Nov. 30 meeting the Tulsa Animal Welfare Commission received results of a Neighborhood Condition Index (NCI) pilot focused on animal concerns in Suburban Hills, Sequoia and Charles Page.

Operations staff said survey outreach revealed a strong need for spay/neuter services. Staff reported the program completed about 250 surgeries before pausing scheduling to organize follow-up, line up veterinary partners and refine logistics. "We had about 250 surgeries whenever we finally said, hang on... we do have to pause this," staff said, noting the pause is temporary while officials secure scheduling and providers.

The pilot also included directed, education-first patrols in Sequoia. Staff described contacting roughly 20 residents during initial visits to offer information, supplies and referrals; the sessions intentionally avoided citations unless a situation rose to a criminal level. The outreach aimed to connect residents with resources (food, containment supplies, dog houses, low-cost clinics) and to identify partners for larger-scale mobile clinics.

Commissioners asked whether residents had contact information for follow-up; staff confirmed information was shared at an October listening session and that residents have ways to report concerns and request services. Commissioners and staff discussed the need for funding to meet demand and for partnerships to scale clinics without drawing resources away from daily shelter operations.

Staff said they plan monthly follow-ups in December and January and are continuing conversations with partners and funders to resume and expand surgery scheduling.