Wagoner County Sheriff's Office launches program to help animals in need | News

WAGONER COUNTY, Oklahoma — Badges and Paws is a new nonprofit program of the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office. People, animal rescuers and veterinarians team up with the Sheriff's Office to help animals in need.

“Typically in a municipality, when you call your animal control department, there is a pound or shelter in that municipality. In rural counties, there just isn't one,” said the sheriff's office. Wagoner County, Chris Elliott.

Sheriff Elliott said through this program they can help animals in need find foster homes.

“We are able to network with people who can take these dogs and foster them until they are adopted,” Sheriff Elliott said.

Katie Clark runs a golden retriever rescue. She works with badges and paws, helping to connect foster families with rescued dogs.

“During COVID everyone thought it was a great idea to get a dog, they needed that love and those cuddles, but now there is an overpopulation of owners who are surrendering,” Clark said .

Clark was excited when she heard about their new program.

“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I hope more foster families come forward, more citizens come forward and more resources partner with the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office,” Clark said.

Clark said they now need people to step up and care for these animals.

“We really need foster families to partner with Badges and Paws. We also need foster families, an animal just needs a loving home,” Clark said.

You can find a Badges and Paws section on the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office website. If you would like to donate or get involved, click here.