Story #24: What I Saw in Oklahoma

As told by Lesya Kercheval, Director of Adoptions

At Anderson Humane, our work often takes us far beyond our own community.

I have been on many transport trips, but each one carries the same purpose. In parts of the country like Oklahoma, there are far more animals than there are resources or adopters. Through partnerships with local caretakers and organizations, we help bridge that gap by transporting adoptable dogs to places where they have a real chance to find loving homes. On this trip, we drove three vans to Oklahoma, hoping to bring back as many puppies and dogs as we safely could.

We met a woman named Shannah, whose love for dogs was unmistakable.

People in her community knew they could bring animals to her if they had nowhere else to turn. Strays, puppies, and dogs whose families could no longer care for them began arriving regularly. What started as compassion slowly became overwhelming. The space was crowded, the financial burden constant, and yet her intentions were always rooted in care.

Seeing it in person was different from hearing about it. Everywhere I turned, there was another dog I wished we could help. Each one carried a story, and each one deserved safety and a chance to start over.

One of those dogs was Cowboy

Cowboy was a young Shepherd mix who limped past us as we walked through the space. The moment I saw him, I knew we could not leave him behind. That feeling was familiar and heavy all at once, knowing we could help some but not all. We filled both vans and headed back to Illinois, bringing as many dogs as we could to Anderson Humane.

Each crate represented a life beginning a new chapter, even as we carried the weight of the animals still left behind.

Back home, Cowboy quickly found his place. He was adopted by a veterinary technician who is also a friend of mine, and seeing him settle into a loving home was a reminder of why these long, emotional trips matter. That experience stayed with me. It reinforced something I already knew deep down. This work is never finished. There will always be more animals waiting, more situations that break your heart and push you forward at the same time.

Every adoption saves a life and creates space for another animal to be helped. That truth is why I continue this work, and why I will never stop believing in the power of adoption.

Ready to start your own rescue story?
Meet adoptable animals at Anderson Humane by visiting ahconnects.org/adopt, or help make the next 60 stories possible by donating in honor of our 60th Anniversary.

Interested in becoming a Volunteer?
Visit ahconnects.org/volunteer/ for more information on how you can get involved.

Interested in starting your own Foster Journey?
Visit us at ahconnects.org/foster-2/ for more information or email fosters@ahconnects.org