There has never been a shortage of abused, neglected and abandoned animals in any county and locals in McIntosh County are working to make a difference in the lives of these poor animals one at a time.

Currently, Paws N Claws volunteer Lori Powell-Fells has been trying to rehome an abandoned pup picked up by the City of Eufaula last week and placed in the pound. This sweet, black dog is a young male who needs a forever home as soon as possible to stay off the euthanization list. Anyone who can give this boy the love he deserves can reach out to Lori at 918618-3810 or LaDonna at 479-422-4210.

In 2024, Paws N Claws worked tirelessly to ensure every pup from the Eufaula pound and even a couple of kittens were rescued and rehomed. Now more locals from the area are also trying to help with the growing abandonment and abuse issues.

Local Misty Williams adopted a couple pups from the pound last year and understands the heartache of even losing one because of the former owner’s neglectfulness. So now she’s on a mission to help the ones she can in her hometown. So when she heard about a hounding situation she stepped in and rescued a poor pup that had unfortunately seen its share of abuse. Now Williams is doing what she can in her community to help abuse and abandoned animals with what resources she has and she is currently asking for anyone with unwanted doghouses to please donate them for homeless animals to use as shelter during these cold winter months. Anyone who can help is asked to call her at 918-348-1700.

Local James Rowland has also helped many abandoned and stray animals in the area. He has helped spay and neuter several through Happy Paws including one female pup that he has joined his crew of fosters at his home in Eufaula. He is also looking for forever homes for several fosters he tends to on a daily basis.

“We have done a lot this past year to help the pound and the community with animal abandonment issues in our county, including starting a pet pantry at the newspaper office,” Powell- Fells said. “Unfortunately without stricter laws we barely make a dent in the problem and in bigger abuse cases. However, all we can do as individuals and as a community is help each other and help one poor pup or cat at a time. So that’s what we are going to continue to do as long as we can.

“Currently there are several pups available even within the community where locals are doing their best to rescue these abandoned animals. There are German Shepherd pups desperately needed forever homes. They were born Dec. 14 from a stray that was rescued. There is also a Corgi-mix pup who needs a home. Every single day there are more tossed out like trash and it just breaks our hearts. Especially when it’s so cold outside because they will freeze if they don’t starve first. So we need everyone who can to please open up their homes and their hearts and help make a difference.

“We appreciate everyone who has shared our social media posts and who has donated to the pet pantry and to these rescue pups this past year. We know it takes a tribe and we are thankful for ours.”