Police arrested four people during a methamphetamine bust near southeast 15th and High Avenue, saving 523 animals from a home where authorities believe animal hoarding left the shelter scrambling with limited space.
On Thursday, investigators opened a home near southeast 15th and High Avenue as part of a methamphetamine bust—and found a different emergency inside it.
Police arrested four people and saved the animals during the warrant search, a development that has stretched resources at Oklahoma City’s Animal Welfare after more than 500 animals were taken in.
Animal control officers rescued 523 animals, including about 470 ducks, chickens, pigeons, and peacocks gathered from the property. Officers also removed 49 dogs, an unspecified number of cats, one horse, and reptiles.
Oklahoma City’s Development Services Director Brock Rowe said the rescue is the largest animal seizure in the city’s history. When asked about the animals’ health and condition, he said they were “taken care of pretty good” and did not appear to be severely abused or malnourished.
Still, even a situation that didn’t look like extreme neglect created its own crisis: the circumstances are believed to involve animal hoarding, with too many animals kept on the property.
After the animals were brought in. staff worked overnight to keep them fed and stable—ensuring food. clean water. bedding. and proper care. The shelter is relying on temporary crates, kennels, and indoor spaces to handle the overflow, especially for birds. Larger animals like the horse are being kept outside.
To make room and keep care consistent, animal welfare officials are reaching out to local partners and organizations that specialize in livestock and birds to help house and care for some of the animals.
With space still tight, the shelter is running a “name your price” adoption event to move existing animals out quickly and free up room for the newly rescued group.
For now, the animals are also treated as evidence. Adoption or transfer will only happen after the legal process determines when they can be released.
The criminal investigation is moving on a parallel track. Police arrested four men on drug trafficking complaints during the warrant search tied to the meth bust. There is no information yet on whether the men will face charges related to the animals.
Oklahoma City animal hoarding meth bust animal welfare 523 animals rescued SE 15th and High Avenue ducks chickens pigeons peacocks dogs cats horse reptiles name your price adoption event
How does a meth bust even end up with like 500 ducks??
So they say the animals weren’t severely abused but they were hoarding them?? That’s still abuse in my opinion. Also “name your price” like that’s a Walmart sale…
I read somewhere that ducks and chickens can just survive on their own for awhile (like backyard stuff). So if they were “pretty good” then why is the shelter overwhelmed? Seems like they could’ve kept them there until charges are done.
This is wild. Meth near High Avenue and then 523 animals?? I swear every week it’s something like this. If they’re treating them as evidence then the animals gotta sit there longer, which just makes everything worse. Also I feel bad for the horse and the reptiles, you never hear about those until it’s too late.