A thriving community is built upon a foundation of comprehensive health and wellness that extends far beyond the walls of our health clinics. It includes our homes, our neighborhoods, and the spaces shared by people and animals, living side by side.

Across our reservation, the consequences of uncontrolled pet populations place an undeniable burden on both local families and communities. Stray and abandoned animals suffer needless hardship, while our citizens face risks to public safety and health. These challenges hit the hardest in our rural areas, where access to affordable spay, neuter, and vaccination services remains limited.

We cannot ignore this issue; we must act. That is why the Cherokee Nation is proud to launch the Pet Partners program, a decisive step forward in our commitment to public health and community well-being. It’s an idea overdue for the Cherokee Nation Reservation, and I’m proud of my daughter, Jasmine, for being a champion of this project and having a hand in bringing it to life.

Pet Partners is a community-driven solution deeply rooted in our Cherokee values. We are directly investing in the frontline organizations already doing this vital work, trusted partners who intimately understand both the urgent need and the people they serve.

In this inaugural phase, the Cherokee Nation is awarding $100,000 each to Waymaker Rescue in Adair County and Kenwood Animal Rescue in Delaware County. We selected these organizations for their dedication and success in rescue, rehoming, and community outreach. The collaboration will empower them to expand regional spay and neuter services where the need is greatest.

Additionally, we are mobilizing another $75,000 in targeted grants for other nonprofit rescue groups across our 7,000-square-mile reservation to alleviate the financial strain of vaccinations, sterilization, and rehoming efforts. These investments will create an immediate positive impact and establish sustainable, long-term solutions to reduce the number of unwanted or neglected animals that enter shelters and roam the wild.

This initiative is driven by the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, the largest public health investment in the history of the Cherokee Nation. While Pet Partners is just one facet of that fund, its impact will resonate deeply. By preventing unwanted litters and championing responsible pet ownership, we can proactively reduce long-term costs, elevate public safety and build healthier communities.

The true power of this effort lies in the spirit that fuels it. Pet Partners is the living embodiment of Gadugi: working together for the greater good. No single entity can conquer the crisis of animal overpopulation alone. It also serves as a reminder that compassion, for both our people and our animals, is a value we should all carry.

As part of the launch, we also made a special donation to the Purr-A-Lot Cat Shelter and Sanctuary in Tulsa in the name of Brenda Suddeth of Cherokee County, a champion of animal welfare who passed away recently.

Ultimately, Pet Partners is a testament to prevention and partnership. It is our responsibility to ensure fewer animals suffer, fewer families endure hardship, and our communities continue to thrive. When we invest in solutions like this, we fortify the health and wellness of the Cherokee Nation for years to come.

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