Renderings for the New Facility

Animal Welfare is a division of the Stillwater Police Department and is a matter of public safety.

We provide an immediate response to emergencies concerning animals within city limits to attempt apprehension (in a safe, humane manner) of any dog, cat or other domestic animal or fowl that becomes a nuisance or is a threat or danger to any resident in Stillwater.

The Karen Kay Mullendore Municipal Animal Complex houses the Stillwater Animal Welfare and the Humane Society of Stillwater (a private organization).

One of the department’s primary responsibilities is operating an animal shelter that cares for strays and pets that have been surrendered. The shelter serves residents living within the Stillwater city limits.

Animal Welfare Officers pick up animals running at large and attempt to find their owners or, if they remain unclaimed, to find adoptive homes for them. Our officers, along with the Stillwater Police Department, also enforce city code related to animals and investigate reports of cruelty and neglect.

We accept dogs, cats, ferrets, domestic mice and rats, guinea pigs, and some reptiles. We also take in stray chickens and have picked up the occasional goat.  Most farm animals are re-homed outside the city limits. We encourage anyone to reach out to us if they have a question about re-homing a pet so we can share all of the resources we have.

For related documents and reports on Animal Welfare click HERE

PUT TIME ON THE SIDE OF SHELTER ANIMALS
Kelly Burley, Stillwater

Stillwater residents, it is TIME to invest in the future well-being of the animals and people of our city. On April 1, you will be asked to consider a bond issue to replace the city’s 41-year-old animal welfare facility with a new $8.75 million, 12,000 sq. ft. facility to be built, equipped, and operated on city-owned land adjacent to Stillwater Municipal Airport. This capital improvement initiative represents phase 3 of TIME (Together Investing in Municipal Excellence), which includes previously passed bond elections supporting city street upgrades (Phase 1) and a new fire station (Phase 2).

By voting yes for a new animal welfare facility, Stillwater will be able to meet our community’s needs and catch up with other cities across the state that have already recognized the need for a new facility, including Oklahoma City, which broke ground February 27^th on a $42 million animal welfare center, as well as Tulsa and Sand Springs, where new facilities are already under construction. Other municipalities that have recently opened new animal welfare facilities or substantially upgraded existing facilities include Edmond, Midwest City, Moore, Mustang, Newcastle, Ponca City, and Yukon. These cities have all recognized the important interconnection that exists between the well-being of animals and the well-being of communities.  Here’s what that means specifically for Stillwater:         

1. A new animal welfare facility will support the physical health and safety of Stillwater residents. Stillwater Animal Welfare staff act as first responders to dog, cat, and other domestic animals or fowl that become a nuisance, threat, or danger to any city resident. In 2024, animal welfare responded to more than 4,000 calls for animal services, an increase of 1,000 calls from the previous year. As the city continues to grow, so will the need. A new and larger animal welfare facility will support our city’s future growth and your safety by keeping these animals safe and off the streets.
2. A new animal welfare facility will support the health and safety of Stillwater’s shelter animals.
   Stillwater Animal Welfare is a high-volume intake facility - one of only 20 in Oklahoma that routinely takes in more than 1,000 animals per year. These animals are primarily captured as strays, abandoned at the shelter, surrendered by the owner, or rescued from substandard living conditions. Currently, these animals experience significant stress due to the current facility layout and condition. A new and larger facility will prioritize functionality to ensure separate spaces for different animals, and designated areas for intake, quarantine, medical care, socialization, and adoption. The new facility will also create a healthier environment for animals and staff through better drainage, easy-to-clean surfaces, and adequate ventilation to reduce the spread of diseases.
3. A new animal welfare facility will support professionals who work for the animals and for you.
   Stillwater Animal Welfare is part of public safety and emergency response efforts under the Police Department. The city of Stillwater staff responsible for animal services do an amazing job keeping the people and animals of our city healthy and safe seven days a week, 365 days a year. Despite the inadequacies of the current facility space, our city routinely meets the criteria to be considered “No Kill”, limiting euthanasia to those animals with irremediable health or behavioral challenges. As our city continues to grow, a new and larger facility will ensure that animals are not needlessly euthanized due to lack of space by strengthening opportunities to unite pets with current owners or adopting families and engaging current and future pet owners on the responsibilities of pet ownership.   

Put TIME on the side of what’s best for animals and our residents - vote “yes” on Tuesday, April 1^st to fund a new shelter for Stillwater Animal Welfare. Or, vote early in the Payne County Administrative Building conference room 202 on Thursday, March 27, and Friday, March 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Your vote for this new facility will strengthen the health and safety of our fellow citizens, our shelter animals, and our city’s animal welfare professionals. Together, let’s raise our voice for the animals who are voiceless and strengthen the connection between their well-being and ours.

Stillwater News Press Q5 - Answers about the April 1 Animal Welfare Bond Vote