ABOUT FREE TO LIVE:

Free To Live is a non-profit sanctuary for stray, abandoned and mistreated dogs and cats. It is the largest no-kill sanctuary in Oklahoma. Nearly 70 animals are adopted out to loving homes each year. At the sanctuary, animals that are not adopted live out their lives with healthy food, shelter and medical care. Euthanasia is not practiced.

OUR HISTORY:

Free To Live began as a dream of Bill and his late wife Pat Larson. In 1982, the Edmond couple purchased 20 acres of land north of Edmond and began construction. The Larsons and a handful of dedicated volunteers did much of the work. On August 7, 1984, Free To Live opened its doors and the Larsons’ dream became a reality.

THE SANCTUARY:

Free To Live has a professional salaried staff that includes a kennel manager, cattery manager, executive director and full and part-time maintenance and kennel/cattery staff. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the organization. FTL is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year; the kennel and cattery keepers live on-site in order to provide complete care. Free To Live takes in as many dogs and cats as possible; space and funds are currently available to care for approximately 150 dogs and 150 cats. Animals brought to FTL are initially placed in isolation for a minimum of 10 days. During this time they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and given general physical examinations. There are separate isolation buildings for dogs and cats; each unit has an enclosed indoor/outdoor run. Once dogs leave the isolation area, they are housed, according to their size and personality, in one of the kennel’s 33 indoor/outdoor units. Each area has beds and access to spacious outdoor fenced runs measuring 15-by-54 feet for the smaller dogs and 34-by-54 feet for the larger dogs. Older dogs that are no longer active enough for life in the kennel live in the office annex area that also has an enclosed, outdoor run. From the office these dogs can be closely monitored, pampered and enjoy more companionship.

Our cats, after the isolation period, are transferred to the large, cheery cattery with large inside and outside play areas. The cattery is shared by the main cat population and its inside room has plenty of small cubicles for cats to nap or hide. Toys to play with and climb on fill the main play areas. Another room and outdoor play area contains some of the new arrivals and younger cats. This same room has roomy stainless steel areas for the kittens and their mothers.

The dogs and cats are given 100 percent nutritionally balanced food; special diets are supplied for animals that require them. Free To Live’s kennel and cattery have large cooling fans and heaters for the animals’ comfort. All of the animal areas and bedding are cleaned daily.

ADOPTION:

Most animals at Free To Live are available for adoption. Those seeking to adopt a Free To Live animal are screened to help ensure suitable placement of our animals. Our adoption fee is $80. Free To Live maintains a no-questions-asked return policy for any animal adopted from the shelter for the life of the animal. All animals receive their vaccinations and are spayed or neutered before they can be adopted. The sanctuary is open to the public every day of the week except Wednesdays. We show animals for adoption between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

HUMANE, ANIMAL EDUCATION:

Mobile adoption, curriculum, and event-based education and outreach. Freedom Tales is a new initiative made possible by grants from the Gaylord Foundation, the Lockhardt Foundation and the Edmond Women’s Club. It will be anchored by the Mutt-Grees curriculum, developed by the North Shore Animal League and the Yale School of the 21st Century. This curriculum focuses on social and emotional learning, anti-bullying, animal welfare and reading. We will visit schools, as well various social events.A key element of the program will be for students to interact with animals while learning key concepts.