Unchain OK

Chained dogs don’t just miss out on companionship…they face dangers that many people never see.

One of those dangers is flystrike.

Flystrike happens when flies lay eggs in open wounds, irritated skin or even damp, dirty fur. Those eggs hatch into maggots that begin feeding on living tissue. It’s incredibly painful, can lead to severe infections and if left untreated can become life-threatening.

This week we met Cha Cha, a Chow Chow who has spent much of life on a chain. Like so many dogs living outdoors full-time, Cha Cha had painful flystrike around the tips of the ears. It’s a condition we see far too often in chained dogs because they have little ability to escape the flies, seek relief or receive the routine care they deserve.

The good news? Flystrike is preventable.

Routine veterinary care, parasite prevention, clean living conditions, protection from the elements and bringing dogs indoors when possible all go a long way toward preventing needless suffering.

Cha Cha is now getting the care needed to heal, and we’re grateful we had the opportunity to step in before things became even worse.

If you know of a dog living on a chain, don’t start with judgment. Start with a conversation. Sometimes education, resources and compassion can change a dog’s life far more effectively than criticism ever will.

Every dog deserves more than survival. They deserve comfort, safety and a life where they’re loved.

UPDATE: Thank you so much, we have successfully raised enough to purchase Dukes kennel. We want to thank everyone who donated and shared the post to make a difference for this boy. ♥️♥️♥️

We’re reaching out for your support to help Duke break free from his heavy chain!

As temperatures rise this week, we want to provide Duke with a safe space where he won’t have to be tethered to a tree any longer.

This good boy deserves a better life, but his owners are struggling to make ends meet for themselves.

They truly care for Duke and are doing their best, so we ask that you don’t judge their situation.

To give Duke the chance he deserves, we need to raise $750.00. (Kennel and cover)

Would you please consider helping us help Duke?

📌 Online:
www.animalallianceok.org/donate

📌 PayPal:
https://www.PayPal.me/OKAnimalAlliance

📌 Cash App:
$OKpets

📌 Venmo:

Duke is one of the dogs we met today while doing outreach for Unchain OK / OAA.

Duke lives chained to a tree in his front yard. A chain around his neck that is extremely heavy.

We spoke with his owner, Christina who seems to care for Duke but life seems to have knocked her down a bit in the last couple of years.

She currently has no running water and struggling to make ends meet, but continues to work daily and care for her sister who lost her leg after being attacked by 2 dogs on a Tulsa trail and her son.

We offered a tie out to replace the heavy chain, but she told us he was a very strong boy and would break off of it. She also told us Duke was a little aggressive to people he didn’t know and had broken off other tie outs.

Duke has a dog house and actually enjoys getting in it, but he loves keeping cool by digging a hole in the dirt where he can burrow into it.

Today, we gave Duke 3 months of relief from fleas and ticks by giving him a Bravecto.

We noticed his ears were bloody from the fly bites so we will return tomorrow with some ointment to treat his ears.

Since we saw no running water available, we ran and purchased him 4 gallons of fresh water, a heavy duty water bucket and some treats to keep him busy and his mind off the incoming heat this week.

Our team will also provide owner with one of our doggie tents so he can get under it and have ample shade with air circulating through it, and much better and cooler than his existing dog house.

Ideally, we would love to get him a dog kennel where we can remove that heavy chain off his neck and give him his own space to roam chain free.

Today was a good day to make the connection with Duke and his owner so we can start working to help Duke live a more comfortable life.

Many of the dogs we help through our Unchain OK program live in similar situations and they may never get a break otherwise, unless we intervene and try to help the owner make life better for the dog.

Life can be exceedingly challenging for many dogs forced to live on chains, in harsh weather conditions. Unlike other free-roaming dogs, these dogs are often confined to a limited area, with little interaction from their owners. Sadly, some remain tethered to heavy chains until the end of their lives.

While we strive to educate pet owners about the harmful consequences of chaining dogs—practices that may have been handed down through generations—many remain hesitant to change. Nonetheless, our commitment to advocating for these dogs will never stop!

In the meantime, our focus is on providing comfort and care to these animals until we can either effect change or persuade the owners to surrender their dogs, allowing us to offer a better life for them.

Yesterday, we provided several chained dogs with Bravecto flea and tick medication, ensuring they have relief for the next three months during the peak of the summer heat. One less discomfort for these sweet dogs to worry about.

We also offer try to offer various resources to enhance these dogs’ quality of life, including:

• Durable yet lightweight tie-outs
• Fly strike ointment to prevent flies from biting their ears • Spay and neuter services • Medical care when necessary • Nutritious food

Our ability to help these dogs relies on the generous support of donors to the Unchain OK program. We invite you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us help them alleviate their suffering or you can order needed supplies through our Amazon wishlist.

We are eager to get a head start and be fully stocked and prepared to continue this essential outreach throughout Oklahoma giving a chained dog, a needed reprieve.

Donate Online:
www.animalallianceok.org/donate

PayPal:
www.PayPal.me/OKAnimalAlliance

CashApp:
$OKpets

Venmo:


Amazon Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/UKBHP1ISBGH2

Happy Sunday ☀️☀️☀️

From a life of despair on a chain to a joyful new chapter in a loving home!

Not every dog tethered in such a way gets to experience a happy ending, but Charlie was fortunate.

We are happy to report that Charlie is finally chain free and in a loving home.

Thank you CARE - Compassionate Animal Rescue Efforts and Winnie, his guardian angel. ♥️

A year ago we shared Layla’s story.

In February 2022 we freed her from the short, heavy chain she had spent most of her life on. Her owner wanted better for her and surrendered her to our Unchain OK program. We promised Layla we would find her a home…a soft place to land.

But no one came.

Months turned into more than a year of waiting in boarding before she finally got her golden ticket out of Oklahoma in August 2023 and was adopted in Wisconsin. We thought her story had its happy ending.

Then we received an email…Layla had been picked up as an unclaimed stray in Greenville, Texas. Alone again. Waiting again.

But this time the story changed.

Jeff and Darlene found her.

Today Layla has officially celebrated one year in her forever home with them. After everything she endured…this girl is finally safe, loved and exactly where she belongs.

Happy one year gotcha day sweet Layla. 🐾

Asher hasn’t had an easy life.

At 10 years old he’s heartworm positive…hookworm positive…Ehrlichia positive…and has spent who knows how long living on the end of a chain.

Yesterday we received a call asking for help euthanizing him.

A volunteer went out today prepared to assess and make the hard call.

What was found was not a dog ready to give up.

A skinny…happy…unbelievably friendly boy who just wanted to lean in and be loved.

We couldn’t in good faith let the chain be the last thing he ever knew.

So we didn’t.

We pulled him.

We got answers.

His prognosis isn’t great…but it’s not hopeless either. And as long as he’s still wagging his tail and choosing us…we’re choosing him.

Asher needs a foster in the worst way.

He deserves soft bedding.
He deserves kindness.
He deserves to finish his story somewhere safe.

His better life starts today.

He also needs us. Treatment won’t be simple and it won’t be cheap. If you’re able to help us cover the cost of his care, we would be incredibly grateful.

Please donate as you’re able:

Online: https://animalallianceok.networkforgood.com/projects/93098-support-oklahoma-alliance-for-animals
PayPal: https://paypal.me/OKAnimalalliance
Venmo:
CashApp: $OKpets

Mail: 7140 S 69th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74133

Let’s make sure the chain isn’t the final chapter.

In honor of Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week, a generous donor has stepped forward and is willing to MATCH $2,000 for our Unchain OK program.

That means every dollar given right now goes twice as far for the dogs still living at the end of a chain.

Twice the insulated dog houses.
Twice the straw.
Twice the flea prevention.
Twice the spay/neuter surgeries.
Twice the relief in bitter weather.

All week we’ve talked about the reality chained dogs face in Oklahoma. The cold ground. The short tether. The loneliness. The silence.

Through Unchain OK at Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, we show up anyway. We bring warmth. We bring education. We bring solutions. We remind those dogs they matter.

Now we have a chance to double the impact.

If you’ve been meaning to give… this is the moment.

Help us unlock the full $2,000 match and keep the momentum going for the dogs who don’t get to speak for themselves.

Donate here: www.animalallianceok.org/donate

PayPal: https://www.PayPal.me/OKAnimalAlliance

Venmo:

CashApp: $OKpets

Mail: 7140 S 69th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 7433

Because a chain should never be the end of a dog’s story. And right now, your gift counts twice.

This week is "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs" week, and it's a time to remember the often forgotten dogs experiencing a form of animal cruelty that is -- sadly -- all too common, especially in Oklahoma.

Keeping a dog chained 24/7 is not humane. Dogs who live on chains suffer emotionally, mentally, and physically. They experience isolation, extreme weather, frustration, and fear. They are denied companionship, enrichment, and safety.

Through our Unchain OK program, we work with owners every day to change this reality. When it’s possible, we advocate to remove dogs from chains entirely and help them move toward safer, more compassionate living situations. But when unchaining isn’t an option, our team steps in with critical support to reduce suffering and improve quality of life.

This means delivering warm, insulated dog houses, fresh straw bedding, lightweight tie-outs, flea and tick prevention, spay and neuter services, and food -- along with a nonjudgmental approach to education and support to owners about the plight of chained dogs.

Our goal is ensure no chained dog is forgotten. Every call our team visits is a reminder to the dogs that their lives matter.

This week, consider supporting our Unchain OK program, which works overtime in cold, frigid weather. Financial donations are always appreciated, but we can also always use new or used dog houses (without holes), wire indoor dog crates, dry dog food, and straw.

You can drop off donations at 7140 S. 69th E. Ave., Tulsa, OK.

Monetary donations can be made at:

♥️ Website:
www.animalallianceok.org/donate

♥️ PayPal:
https://www.PayPal.me/OKAnimalAlliance

♥️ Cashapp:
$OKpets

♥️ Mail:
7140 S 69th E Ave,Tulsa, OK 74133