DeKALB – TAILS Humane Society of DeKalb was awarded two grants totaling $79,000 from the Petco Foundation to transport dogs and puppies from overcrowded shelters in rural Oklahoma to the TAILS shelter.

Northern Illinois does not have a significant dog overpopulation problem, according to Beth Drake, TAILS executive director. However, it is a serious issue in Oklahoma, where most pets are not spayed or neutered. The few animal shelters that exist in that state are bursting at the seams with adoptable pets.

“We know we can get them adopted up here,” Drake said. “We realized a long time ago that dogs and puppies should not have to be euthanized in Oklahoma when we can, instead, transport them here, make sure they’re healthy, spay or neuter them, and find them loving homes.”