Common Bonds, an Oklahoma-based coalition of local, state and national animal welfare organizations, announced that the City of Enid will be the first municipality in the state honored through the group’s Certified Communities program.

Common Bonds, which is united to raise the live release rate of cats and dogs in Oklahoma shelters to 90% by 2025, is recognizing Enid for its ongoing commitment to save more animal lives.

“The City of Enid and its local partners in animal rescue are a shining example of how local communities can come together to make a positive difference for animals and people,” said Kelly Burley, Common Bonds director. “We are grateful to city leaders and staff for all they are doing to improve outcomes for the animals in their care.”

Common Bonds is recognizing the City of Enid for its commitment to the 90% shelter animal save rate and for reporting its intake and release numbers in the Shelter Animals Count national database. The group is also lauding the commitment of shelter manager Allen Elder to participate in Common Bonds’ group meetings with shelter managers across the state.

The City of Enid is also being recognized for its commitment to community partnerships with nonprofit rescues including Enid SPCA, Foe-Friends of Enid Area (Animals), Rebel Rescue Fundraising, Furever Friends Animal Rescue, and Meows, Inc.

“The City of Enid is honored to be the first community in Oklahoma recognized by the Common Bonds coalition for its ongoing work to improve animal lives,” said Enid Mayor George Pankonin/

The latest data from Best Friends Animal Society’s Pet Lifesaving Dashboard ranks Oklahoma eighth in the country in the total number of cats and dogs killed in animal shelters. Last year, more than 18,000 shelter

cats and dogs were euthanized in Oklahoma, an increase of 5,000 from the previous year. Oklahoma saw the largest increase in shelter animal euthanasia of any state last year as its overall save rate fell three percentage points to 73.1 percent.