The WayMakers


                                                    For anyone interesting in fostering, the group is filled with gratitude and provides support.

by Renee Fite

City of Stilwell Director of Public Relations and Media


Pets, and pet people, are one of a kind - caring. And a new non-profit is here to make a difference. When it comes to pets there seem to be those who adopt and adore a pet, those who are not pet lovers, those who adopt a kitten or puppy and either give it up because the cute wore off or because circumstances change and they cannot continue to care for a pet and those who have huge hearts to rescue dogs and cats no longer cared for.

   

       Waymakers was formed to rescue and rehome dogs and puppies in Adair and Cherokee Counties. Board members all saw a need in both counties to rescue and find loving homes for animals that are abandoned and discarded like trash, said President Joan Forsyth. Other officers are Vice President Lynna Carson, Treasurer Janet Nordlie and Foster Coordinator Kennedy Brandt. Forsyth co-founded Waymakers in September 2023. “We rescue dogs and puppies off the street, county roads and left behind when people move,” said Forsyth. Overpopulation of unwanted animals is what prompted the volunteers to form the non-profit.

        “There are very few enforced laws protecting our animals,” Forsyth said. They usually gather more animals from Adair than Cherokee county. “It goes in spurts where we have to make people drive to our county to get vet care, but now we have vet clinics helping us in Adair so less of a problem. When we receive calls and emails a high percentage is from Westville and Stilwell, not necessarily more,” she said. Last year they rescued close to 400 dogs with more than 600 to date. “It costs on average between $250-$300 per animal,” said Forsyth. They help find homes locally and transport animals. “We post on two adoption sites, Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet. We post all on our website, waymakerrescue.org. We post on our Facebook page,” she said. “We partner with rescues in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Colorado and Wyoming that receive selected animals from us and adopt them out quickly.”

   “We need drivers for transports, volunteers to walk dogs in boarding while quarantined or looking for open fosters,” Forsyth said. They continue to accept donations of time and cash. “We’re hoping to raise enough money to do what we do, finding rescued animals loving homes and getting them spayed on neutered and healthy,” she said.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        .                                                                                                                                                                         .

   

Volunteers are needed to foster dogs in-between finding homes and

transporting them.

 

Interested in volunteering? Sign up on their website: waymakerrescue.org


Women Holding a dog

                                                                                                                           photo: Renee Fite


Waymakers is doing everything possible to save and rescue animals. “Spay and Neutering all animals is crucial to solving our overpopulation problem. Owners being responsible for basic care of their own pets to keep up with annual vaccinations and flea, tick, and heartworm medication it critical and essential,” she said.

  “We cover everything. They need to provide a safe, loving environment

and get the animal to vet appointments. Some are short term fosters

offering to foster dogs or puppies already selected for transports. Others

are long term that offer to take a dog regardless of an exit date,” she said.

      “We can only take in rescues if fosters are readily available and we

never have enough. It's also beneficial for people that need our help to

offer a donation toward the animals care if they cannot foster

themselves,” Forsyth said. Waymakers hope to continue working with the City of Stilwell, the City of Tahlequah and their Animal Shelters, as well as other local rescues. “We are all working for the same cause, to provide a better life for these

precious animals,” said Forsyth.