Oglala Pet Project

Founded in 2011 by community based volunteers at Pine Ridge who have been helping rez pets there for many years, the Oglala Pet Project (OPP) serves the Oglala people and their pets through education, spay/neuter support, pet health resources, and the re-homing or networking of abandoned, abused or unwanted pets on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Animals have played an important role in the Lakota history. The Oglala people believe totems or personal power animals are protector spirits that help in daily life and in the spiritual search for harmony, (like the ones in our logo) the sunka/dog = loyalty & protection, and the igmu/cat = independence. The color red (in our logo) also has special meaning. "When one wears red the sun is pleased and will listen to such a one. The Indians are red, so they are the favorite people of the sun. The sun provides everything for them." -Thunder Bear Pine Ridge is one of the poorest communities in the country, the Oglala people are living with an 85% unemployment rate, an even higher alcoholism rate and some homes have no electricity or running water. Families are overcrowded in homes caring for each other and most pets live their entire lives outside. It is our goal to work through community member volunteers to enhance the quality of life for rez pets through education, spay/neuter support, pet health resources, and the re-homing of abandoned, abused or unwanted pets. Our Mission: To serve the Oglala people and their pets through education, spay/neuter support, pet health resources, and the re-homing or networking of abandoned, abused or unwanted pets on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.