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frequently asked questions

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Q – The Washington County SPCA is an ‘open access’ shelter.  What exactly does that mean?


The Washington County SPCA is an open-access shelter, meaning that all animals are welcome regardless of age, health, or behavior. Many organizations that call themselves "no-kill" are limited admissions shelters that only admit animals when they have space and, quite often, admit only healthy, behaviorally sound animals. Without an open access shelter - what would happen to those animals that are a danger to the community or are too sick to be adopted or whose owners cannot take care of them anymore? Would they be abandoned to suffer or potentially harm someone?  While limited-admission groups work hard to solve the problem of pet overpopulation and help many homeless pets find homes, they simply cannot solve the problem alone. "Open-access" shelters, like the Washington County SPCA, help to ensure that every unwanted animal is treated humanely.

Because we are an open access shelter, The Washington County SPCA ends up helping close to 3,000 animals in our community EVERY year.  We work hand in hand with rescue groups nationwide to help place these animals.  In the last decade, over 12,000 animals have found homes through the diligent work of our staff and volunteers.

 

Q – Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?

 

In the middle of the flood plain it would seem:  

 

16620 State Highway 123, Bartlesville, OK 

 

Hours of operation:         11 am – 6 pm     Monday through Friday

                                    10 am – 4 pm     Saturday

                                    Closed                Sunday and Monday

 

Q - Do you have any available jobs at the Washington County SPCA?

 

Please take a look at our Employment Opportunities today to see if we currently have any job postings.

 

Q – Will you spay or neuter my pet at your shelter?

 

No.  We do not have an in house clinic at this time.  We do, however, provide low-cost spay and neuter certificates for   those who cannot afford the spay/neuter surgeries for their pets.   PLEASE help your community’s pet overpopulation problem by taking advantage of these programs. 

 

If you do not qualify for one of these certificates please contact any one of the wonderful veterinarians in our area.  We are unable to recommend a vet clinic but you can find listings in the phone directory. 

 

Q - Do you sell animals for research?

 

No.

 

Q - How long do animals remain in shelter?

 

All healthy, non-aggressive animals will stay in the shelter until adopted unless the animal contracts a contagious, non-treatable illness or becomes behaviorally un-adoptable. The Washington County SPCA has never placed a limit on the amount of time adoptable animals stay in the shelter. As long as they stay happy and healthy, they’ll stay at the Washington County SPCA, waiting for homes.

 

FUNDING AND DONATIONS

 

Q- Does the Washington County SPCA receive money from any national humane organization?

 

No.  While individuals associated with our shelter may be members of national organizations such as the ASPCA or the American Humane Society, our shelter receives no direct funding from any of these organizations.  Our adoption shelter and associated programs (GCSNAP, Alley Cat Alliance, Care-A-Van

 

Q – Doesn’t the City of Bartlesville subsidize the Washington County SPCA?

 

The Washington County SPCA facility has two distinct areas:   our adoption facilities and our City impound facility.  The City of Bartlesville has a contract with the Washington County SPCA to care for the animals brought in by Animal Control.  Our shelter receives money from the City to house, feed, and care for these animals.  While these animals are in our facility we do everything within our power to find the animals' guardians.  We field phone calls, email and visits from the public to reunite the animals with their families.  Our contract with the City provides that we keep these animals for three days prior to them entering our adoption facility. 

 

Q – How do I make a donation to help the Washington County SPCA?

 

You may donate securely online under the donations page.

 

You may also donate in person or by mail.  Please mail your donation to:

Washington County SPCA

16620 State Highway 123

Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006

 

Q – I’d prefer to give the gift of supplies to the Washington County SPCA.  What supplies are most needed?

  • Bleach, bleach and more bleach
  • Dawn (original without bleach
  • Paper towels
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Flea/tick drop
  • Towels and blankets (Clean, used items are welcome.)
  • Treats (Please only bring treats that do not contain food coloring.)  NOTE:  All of our animals are on a strict diet and for health purposes cannot be given any other food.  If food is brought in the Washington County SPCA will donate it to other agencies who can use pet food.

 

Q – I would like to make a gift in honor of a person or pet. How do I do that?

 

For more information see our Legacy and Bequest and Donations pages.  Please make a note on the donation that it is a gift in honor of a pet or person.  This information will be included in our newsletter unless you specify that the information remain private.

 

VOLUNTEERS

 

 Q -  How do I become a volunteer for the Washington County SPCA?

 

We’d love to have you as a volunteer! Please visit our volunteer page online to learn more and complete a volunteer application.

 

Q - What kinds of things do your volunteers do?

 

WCPCA  volunteers help in many ways that make our work providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home possible. Some of our volunteers help us clean kennels and socialize our animals while others walk dogs, brush cats and assist customers find the perfect love match. Volunteers also help us with administrative duties.  There are even multitudes of ways you can help from your home.

All volunteers are required to be 18 years of age or older. If you are between the ages of 12 and 17, you may volunteer with a parent or legal guardian also becomes a volunteer and attends with you. 

Our volunteers help out at the shelter and offsite events 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and occasionally on Sundays. 

ADOPTING A PET

Q - How do I adopt a pet from the WCSCPA?

Visit our online gallery of available pets (updated hourly, seven days a week) and then come to our shelter or offsite adoption events to bring home your new family member!  If you see an animal you are interested in - ACT FAST!!!  We adopt out around 150-210 animals every MONTH.  It is very likely that your love of choice will already be adopted if you wait to act.

Q - Are all the animals adopted from your shelter spayed/neutered?

Yes.  As of the summer of 2009 the Washington County SPCA's Board of Directors made the decision that no animal would leave our adoption program without being spayed/neutered.  The Board felt that it was the only responsible way to address our community's pet overpopulation problem.

Q - How much does it cost to adopt a dog and what is included in the adoption?

  • Puppies 0-6 months: $
  • Adult dogs 6 months or older:
  • Senior dogs7 years and older:

The adoption fee includes age-appropriate vaccinations (which can include Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptos, Parvo, Parainfluenza and Bordatella), deworming treatment, spay/neuter surgery, a rabies tag, a leash and a microchip.  Dogs over 6 months of age are also given a heartworm test (SNAP occult).

***Please note that you must have a valid picture ID in order to adopt an animal from the Washington County SPCA.

Q - How much does it cost to adopt a cat and what is included in the adoption?

  • Kittens:
  • Cats:
  • Senior cats7 years and older:

The adoption fee includes age-appropriate vaccinations (which can include Rabies, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Caleci and Pan-Leukopenia), deworming treatment, spay/neuter surgery, a rabies tag, a temporary pet tote made of heavy-duty cardboard and a microchip. Cats over 4 months of age are also given a feline Leukemia test.

***Please note that you must have a valid picture ID in order to adopt an animal from the Washington County SPCA. 

Q - Why does it cost so much to adopt an animal from the Washington County SPCA?

Dogs and cats from the Washington County SPCA are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, treated for external parasites, microchipped and each pet comes with 30 days health insurance (IF you register with the insurance company online).  Thus, our prices cannot be compared with the "free" kitten/puppy available in the newspaper.

Q - What payment types does the Washington County SPCA accept for adoptions?

The Washington County SPCA accepts all major credit cards, cash and money orders. The Washington County SPCA does not accept checks as a form of payment for adoptions.

Q - What is the process for adopting animals?

All adoptions require a completed application and an interview with a Washington County SPCA  representative.  The Washington County SPCA encourages all members of the family to participate in the selection of a companion animal; this may include introducing their existing pets to the potential new addition to the family. Fill out an online application today!

Q - What is the minimum age for someone to adopt an animal?

The minimum age to adopt an animal is 18 years old. Photo ID will be required at the time of adoption.

Q - Does the Washington County SPCA allow animals to be put on hold?

The only time an animal is put on hold is to allow all family members to meet and spend time with the animal, and to bring their existing pet to meet the potential new addition to the family. Holds only take place if the person has filled out an application form and has been approved for adoption.

OWNER RELINQUISHMENT OF PETS

Q - How much does it cost to surrender an animal?

Q - My dog bit me. Will you take it?

The Washington County SPCA has a solemn responsibility to the public to only adopt animals that are as physically, emotionally, and behaviorally as healthy as can readily be determined, and that do not pose a danger to the public. A dog that has, without provocation or reason, bitten a person cannot be adopted, and will not be admitted to the Washington County SPCA.

SPAY/NEUTER

Q - What do the terms "Spaying" and "Neutering" mean?

"Spaying" and "neutering" are surgical procedures used to prevent pets from reproducing. In a female animal, "spaying" consists of removing the uterus and ovaries. The technical term is ovario-hysterectomy. For a male animal, "neutering" involves the removal of the testicles, and this is known as castration.

Q - What is it going to cost to spay/neuter my pet?

The cost of spaying or neutering your pet depends on many factors. For example, a large dog will cost more than a small dog; if your pet is overweight or in season this can also add to the cost. Contact your veterinarian to get a more accurate idea of the costs involved for your pet.

The cost of spaying/neutering is really quite small when compared to what you will spend on care and food for your pet over its lifetime.  Consider the possible costs if you do not spay and neuter. If your pet should wander off in search of a mate, you may be faced with paying fines and impoundment costs. You may also be faced with the additional costs of maintaining puppies or kittens for which finding homes may be difficult. Worse yet, think of the costs you might incur should your pet be injured while roaming for a mate.

Q - Does it hurt an animal to be spayed/neutered?

As the surgery is done under a general anesthetic it is painless. The operation for both males and for females is straightforward and low risk. Recovery is usually uneventful. The worst your pet might experience is some discomfort for a short time after the operation.

Q - Shouldn't a female pet have one litter first before she is spayed?

Allowing a female dog or cat to produce a litter does not have any benefits. There are health risks to the mother during the pregnancy and when giving birth.

Q - Does having my pet spayed/neutered make me a responsible pet guardian?

Having your pet spayed or neutered is one important part of being a responsible pet guardian. Being responsible also means providing your pet with a warm, safe and loving environment, food and water, exercise, and proper veterinary care. You should also obey the leash, "poop and scoop", and licensing laws in our community.

Q - What is the solution to pet overpopulation?

In just 7 years, one unspayed cat and her offspring can produce over 450,000 cats! (average litter of 3, twice a year) In 7 years, one dog and her offspring can produce over 4,000 dogs! (average litter of 4, once a year)

  • Have your own pet spayed or neutered.
  • Encourage friends, family and neighbors to have their animals spayed and neutered.
  • Sponsor the spaying and neutering of a shelter animal.
  • Volunteer to do adoption follow-up at your Washington County SPCA Shelter to ensure people who have adopted animals have complied with the spay/neuter requirement in their adoption agreement.