Washington County SPCA Newsletter WINTER 2013 | Page 7

Building Permit Provides Next Step To
Higher Ground

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he reality of residing in a floodplain becomes very
real every time it rains in Bartlesville. Our current
facility is precariously located
downstream from two dams and
upstream from an area that frequently
floods. If the storm water exceeds the
safe flood pool levels at Copan or Hulah
dams we can be flooded. If the Caney
begins backing up downstream, it also
puts us in danger.
his May, all of these elements
were pointing toward another
flood at the shelter. Less than
one week after the Washington
County SPCA had reached out to the
Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, we
found ourselves making phone calls
to area residents asking for immediate
help to evacuate as many animals to
foster homes as possible. All equipment,
office supplies, medical supplies, etc were
evacuated to the fairgrounds and over
half of the animals were safely moved to foster homes. The
staff was prepared to make a complete evacuation if need
be. Fortunately, the weather forecasts were wrong. The
rain came much later in the day thus giving the Corp of
Engineers time to release critical water from the flood pools
to our north. We were spared from a complete evacuation

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and worse yet – from the absolute devastating damage that
was done to our buildings just a few short years ago.
he question has been asked –
“When are you building your new
facility?” The Washington County