OK PetGazette - Free to Live

	Free to Live
Visit Free to Live	A Sanctuary of Love	Back to OKC Animal Welfare

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One isn't guaranteed a warm reception upon entering a new environment. Maybe folks welcome you, maybe not. But at a certain homeless shelter, the inhabitants are always glad to see visitors. Yes, they are a motley crew–old down-and-outers who have seen better days, scraggly ones who look like there's never been better days and the occasional young, good looking one who evokes the question, "What happened to you? How'd you end up here?" Some are just downright, well, homely, but it's the heart that counts, right? And at Free To Live, the greeting is with wagging tails and a medley of meows.

The animal sanctuary in rural Edmond is home to those that are on the ropes and out of luck. Though not entirely out of luck–they found Ron Wingler. Executive director since 1987, he roams the grounds and kennels. He knows his charges and who has problems. Stopping at a pen, he opens the gate, bends down and talks to the female while petting her, even though she can't hear him. In turn, she doesn't just wag her tail; her whole body wiggles with excitement...his smell, his touch. That's all she has to go by, because she's deaf and blind. But she seems happy.

On the way to the cattery, he talks about this place. "Free To Live was started in 1984 by an Edmond couple, Bill and Pat Larson," he says. "When they sold their oil business, they wanted to do something for the community. They felt like there was a lot being done for people but virtually nothing for animals. If you found a stray, you had three choices: keep it, find a home for it or take it to the pound to be put to sleep."

He shakes his head. "I don't think people realize or appreciate how many animals don't have homes and are put to sleep every week. Anyway, after hearing about a place in California called Living Free, they went out, looked it over and learned the basics of what they needed to do. They bought this land, 20 acres, and did a lot of the work, along with volunteer help, in building the place."

The non-profit sanctuary takes in stray, abandoned and mistreated dogs and cats. They're available for adoption. But the nice thing is, if not adopted, they live out their lives with shelter, food and medical care. That and as much affection as Wingler, his small staff and volunteers can provide, considering there's 280 residents–150 dogs and 130 cats. Euthanasia is not an option.

When brought to Free To Live, animals are placed in quarantine for a minimum of 10 days, in case of contagious diseases. During that time, they're examined, spayed or neutered and given vaccinations. Dogs are placed in the main kennel by size and compatibility. They have indoor cubicles with beds and outdoor fenced runs. The sanctuary is staffed full time with a kennel master and cattery caretaker who live on the premises.

At the cattery, cats being cats, the atmosphere is more subdued than the boisterous dog kennels. Some are interested, some aren't, but it doesn't take long to be surrounded by those that are. Except for a separate area for kittens, problem cats and mothers with young, the cats live together in a large room lined with small cubicles and littered with toys. There's also a big outdoor area. Heading back, Wingler points to a pen attached to the office. It leads inside where older dogs that can no longer tolerate life in the main kennel stay. There, they can be watched and enjoy more human companionship.

"Some have been here almost since this place opened," he says, stopping to say hi to Annie, matriarch of the bunch. "Believe it or not, she's 20."

Taking care of her and the rest is a costly undertaking. Imagine the expense of a single pet and multiply it by 280, plus pay for the staff and upkeep of the property.

"Fortunately, we have help from individuals and companies," says Wingler. "A lot of food is donated by Ralston Purina, Petsmart, WalMart and volunteers. Medical costs, though, are really expensive. We do have a veterinarian who gives us a discount. But with this quantity of animals, the vet bills and medicine are running about $4,000 a month."

To offset this, obviously, Free To Live accepts donations. A $57 donation for dogs and $47 for cats is requested upon adoption.

"We don't receive any government help, so we really depend on donations," he says. "We survive on contributions and fund-raising events." The biggest is a silent auction held every fall with items donated by local merchants. And they participate in the annual spring garage sale at the fairgrounds.

The other great need is simply people. Volunteers are always needed to spend hands-on time with the animals. And the sanctuary could use help with "chores" in the office and maintaining the grounds. Free To Live is open to the public every day except Wednesday, but some days are special.

"We have what we call dog and cat fun days in the afternoon every first and third Saturday," says Wingler. "We invite people to come out, walk the dogs and play with the cats. It really helps socialize them. Some we thought would never walk on a leash do now."

The thought of any homeless shelter is inherently sad in its mere necessity. But thank goodness for them and for people who do the right thing–take care of those who can't take care of themselves. And it's heartening to know that some lucky animals are, indeed, free to live.

Back to OKC Animal Welfare

While Free To Live's animals are available for adoption, people are encouraged to try the local "pound" first. Those animals are marked for death and deserve the first chance. Plus, the pounds often have a better selection of cute kittens and puppies. If you can't find a good match there, then feel free to visit Free To Live's facility or the Edmond Petsmart where they bring a sampling of animals every Saturday. If you adopt from the Petsmart, you're required to go home, think about it overnight and go to the sanctuary to pick up the animal. And before you can adopt, you're screened to make sure you're a suitable master.


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