Paws N Claws will be registering Eufaula city dogs this Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Posey Park during Whole Hawg Days. The local rescue organization hopes the community takes the opportunity to “Get On Board” this summer and register their fourlegged family member with the city. Anyone who registers this weekend will have a chance at winning some cool prizes for their pet consisting of dog toys and treats from Lake Dog and possibly a 2-night stay for two dogs at Checotah Bark Resort.

Winners will be announced and can pick up prizes at the Eufaula Indian Journal at 100 2nd St.

“Registering your pet with the city is free and can protect your pet by letting us know an owner’s address to ensure their pet finds their way home rather than into an animal shelter,” Lori Powell-Fells stated. “Lots of animals are lost during the summertime when families go on vacation or go camping with them. However, if your pet is registered and gets lost or escapes from your yard or home, this can help us identify them quicker. It also will keep the owner from being fined for their animal running at large if this is their first offense.

“Just by having on a collar with their city tag attached, animals are more likely to find their way home, making everyone have a happier and safer summer.

“This makes our job a lot easier as well because we hate to see animals come into the pound and know that they are someone’s pet but have no way of contacting their owner. These poor babies literally cry to go home and we cry with them. That’s why they need to be registered so we can get them home safe and sound.”

Paws N Claws has been volunteering at the local city pound and recently agreed to a contract with the City of Eufaula to continue their work of helping the City’s pound pups find forever homes. Prior to Paws N Claws efforts, dogs picked up by the city were kept at the City’s animal shelter for approximately 10 days and then euthanized. However, for over a year volunteers through the organization have found homes for over 40 dogs and have essentially turned the facility on Bunny Creek Road into a no-kill shelter.

Under the terms of the agreement, the City is responsible for any dog intakes, morning care, building and utility maintenance, and managing a veterinary clinic account, while Paws N’ Claws is responsible for afternoon care, enrichment, behavioral observation, and managing adoption efforts on their social media site. During the July meeting, the city council had nothing but high praise for Paws N Claws and urged the public to follow the organization on their Facebook page, Paws N Claws –Eufaula, OK to help with the animal rescue program within the county.

Paws N Claws also started a pet pantry last year that is located inside the Indian Journal. It basically runs on donations from county residents that choose to make a difference and be part of the solution, rather than being part of the problem of animal abandonment, abuse and neglect in the area.

“We see it every day in our area; some animals are lost while many are tossed out like trash. That’s why we hope the whole community will ‘Get On Board’ and help us make a real difference in our county by registering their animals. Saturday we will go live at noon on our Facebook page while we’re at Posey Park and then contact winners to retrieve their prize at the Indian Journal. We hope everyone gets out and registers their pet. However, if you can’t get out, you can also register your pet by going to the City of Eufaula’s website. Click on Departments then click on Animal Control and fill out the form. The City will mail you the tag. We hope to see you there as we strive to make a difference in our community and in our county.”