Tulsa to Open Larger Animal Shelter by End of 2026
The City of Tulsa plans to relocate municipal animal services to a new, spacious facility on East 36th Street North.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Dogs
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The City of Tulsa Animal Services is preparing to move to a new shelter located on East 36th Street North near Sheridan Road by the end of 2026. This transition aims to address ongoing capacity issues and electrical power outages at the current city facility.
Why it matters
The current shelter has been at capacity for over a year and struggles with infrastructure failures, necessitating the move to a larger site. Expanding the facility will provide better conditions for the animals and improve operational stability for city staff.
The new facility will provide 8,000 square feet of additional space compared to the existing building. The current shelter consistently houses between 150 and 175 animals.
The players
City of Tulsa Animal Services
This municipal department manages animal welfare and pet adoption programs for the Tulsa area.
The details
Staff are currently working to reduce the animal population through active adoption and foster programs to prepare for the relocation. The city is currently awaiting the delivery of new kennels and the completion of final building touches to ensure the new site is ready.
Timeline
The shelter relocation is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.
Culture Shift
This move follows a pattern set by cities nationwide that are expanding infrastructure to combat chronic shelter overcrowding. It reflects a shift toward prioritizing municipal facility upgrades to address the long-term sustainability of local animal welfare programs.
Residents may see an increase in adoption and fostering opportunities as staff work to reduce the current animal population ahead of the move. The new facility is expected to provide more stable services for the community once it opens on East 36th Street North.
The takeaway
The upcoming move addresses critical infrastructure needs for Tulsa's animals by increasing available space and resolving facility power issues. Residents interested in helping should contact the shelter now to learn about current adoption and foster opportunities.
Further reading
Learn more about local pet services by visiting the Dogs section.
More information
Find additional information on municipal animal programs at City of Tulsa animal welfare resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News On 6.
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