On a farm near Edmond, Okla., Amy the Donkey resides on a 10-acre plot. She survived the 2013 Oklahoma tornado outbreak and was adopted by treating veterinarian Dr. Mike Johnston and wife Nancy.
by Caitlyn Minton
On a 10-acre plot with plenty of grass, sunshine and a small pond to drink from, Amy the donkey is living well a year after she was caught in the May 2013 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma.
The storms left not only humans but also pets and livestock homeless.
Thousands of cattle, at least 300 horses, nearly 25 goats and one llama died from the tornados or their injuries, said Zoe Midyett, owner and operator of Red Dirt Tack and Feed of Edmond.
About 45 horses, donkeys and mules found their way to Equine Medical Associates (EMA) in Edmond for rescue and care.
Another shelter, then called the Animal Resource Center, cared for lost pets brought in by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The shelter processed 159 pets and 89 of those were reclaimed, said Barbara Lewis, CEO of A New Leash On Life. Those unclaimed after 30 days were adopted.
Amy is living a comfortable life with EMA veterinarian Mike Johnston and wife Nancy after they got to know her at the clinic.
At the Equine Medical Associates emergency center, Lefty the donkey was treated for a severed ear. After the 2013 Oklahoma tornado outbreak, Lefty was rescued after being found in a field with near fatal wounds. He was reclaimed by his owner and is now healthy.
The horses nicknamed Legs and Lips found new owners after being treated for their injuries, said EMA veterinarian Grace Owen. She couldn’t recall who adopted Lips, but she knew Legs had found a “great home.”
Legs belongs to an elderly man who spoils her, said EMA veterinarian Chad Baumwart. He credited Owen for Lips and Legs being adopted.
Another donkey, nicknamed Lefty, is home safe after nearly being killed. He was found bleeding with the top half of left his ear ripped off. He was discovered near his dead mate and dead foal.
Shelters also reunited many pets with their owners. Lewistold of a young man who had been hunting for days with little hope of finding his dog. As he walked down the rows of cages searching for his pet, he became more discouraged. Then he came to a crate with a dog already wagging its tail.The young man broke down in relief, Lewis said.
“It was obvious by both of their reactions that he was the real owner,” Lewis said.
All unclaimed pets found new homes, she said.
One unclaimed dog was sent to a prison dog-training program where the inmates named him Twister, Lewis said. He was trained as a service dog and adopted by the Tulsa Boys’ Home in Sand Springs.
She said Twister is beloved by 65 teenagers who don’t fight as much because they don’t want to scare him.
The animal shelters and EMA aren’t as full as a year ago, but they continue to treat animals that also could use the public’s help.
“Why do people respond so overwhelmingly in time of disaster when actually many animals need help when there is no disaster,” Lewis wondered.
