The following article is an update to a February 2020 column by Thomas G. Wolfe, Managing Director of Phillips Murrah P.C., on the state of renovations being made to the Village Animal Shelter in Oklahoma City.
Home builder Jim Abernathy, left, walks Village Animal League’s Tom Wolfe and Cheryl Steckler and The Village City Manager Bruce Stone, right, through his plans for the new Village Animal Shelter. Photo by OKC Friday
Plans for a renovated Village Animal Shelter in Oklahoma City are actively being executed, with Jim Abernathy, project supervisor and Village resident, optimistic for it’s completion ahead of the originally projected 90-day turnaround.
Thomas G. Wolfe, Managing Director of Phillips Murrah and Village Animal League board member, authored an article in February informing readers of plans for the Village Animal Shelter and calling for donations to reach the project funding goal.
The OKC Friday newspaper reported updates to the project in the June 5 issue:
Last week (Jim Abernathy) met with City Manager Bruce Stone and Village Animal League (VAL) board members Tom Wolfe and Cheryl Steckler at the site to review progress and finalize plans.
Abernathy reported they are making significant progress.
Wire fencing kennels and all the existing concrete around the enclosures have been removed. All wiring was removed in advance of the new electric service, which will have new wiring and lighting.
“Existing plumbing was disconnected and removed and we are preparing to rough in the new plumbing in the next week or so,” Abernathy said.
Also, workers removed the entire ceiling was removed and placed shoring in advance to install the new heating and air conditioning system.
“This alone will be a real game-changer regarding the comfort of these animals while they wait for a new home,” Abernathy continued.
The large steel frame roof structure between the kennel and building to the south is set to be reinstalled with metal roofing panels that will keep the dogs under a roof when inside the outside portion of the enclosures. The inside part should be completed in early June.
Abernathy plans to begin plumbing work reconfiguration and installing new water and drain lines for the kennel within a week or two.
While significant parts of the project are on track for completion, there are still items for the project that aren’t fully funded, Steckler said.
The Oklahoma Humane Society is accepting donations for this project through The Village Animal Shelter so that donations will be tax deductible.
Here’s How to Donate
- Make checks payable to Oklahoma Humane Society, write in the memo line: “Village Animal League” or “VAL Fund,” and mail to PO Box 18471, OK 73154.
- To donate online, go to www.okhumane.org/donate/one-time-donations, click the “Donate Now” button, reference “Village Animal League” or “VAL Fund.”
- Or, call 405-286-1229.
Success Story
The OKC Friday also reported on Lucy Rose, a stray dog rescued by Village Animal League near their offices, and Wolfe’s assistance in getting her rehabilitated:
Britton Road Vet’s Molly Ann Mauldin leads Lucy Rose into the clinic. Photo by OKC Friday
Lucy Rose is healing nicely after spending at least three days wandering The Village and being rescued by The Village Animal League.
A larger, brown, very skinny dog was first noticed last Wednesday outside the OKC FRIDAY Newspaper’s office on Quail Plaza Drive. Animal Control and Cheryl Steckler, a VAL board member, were called.
Cheryl said she followed the dog for an hour and a half and could not get her to come to her.
Sightings of the dog continued on Thursday and into Friday, often times she lay in the shade on FRIDAY’s island. Others also tried to approach her to no avail.
Cheryl brought a trap on Friday when finally the stray dog was found in the courtyard of a nearby building. Cheryl and volunteer Ann Hopkins were quick to shut the gates. By this time, the dog apparently was tired enough to let them take her to the Britton Road Vet Clinic.
In the meantime, Cheryl named her Lucy Rose. Dr. Todd Mauldin and his daughter Molly Ann are taking care of her.Lucy Rose had two-week-old deep infected bite wounds through the muscle which required stitches. She was found to be heartworm negative, but had an heavy infestation of fleas and ticks, Cheryl said.
The dog weighed 43 pounds and needs to gain at least 10. Cheryl said Lucy Rose ate and slept well all weekend. She had a bath on Monday and spaying and chipping will take place after she heals up some.
“Dr. Mauldin said she is doing great,” Cheryl said. “She’s skittish, but doesn’t seem to want to bite anybody.”
Tom Wolfe, also of The Village Animal League, is paying Lucy Rose’s bill. Cheryl said others have expressed an interest in helping out.
She asked them to call the Britton Road Vet at 751-8007.
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