Animal Wellbeing 2021 Recipients Announced
Tulsa residents Jamee Suarez and Robin Suarez to be recognized for their achievement on behalf of Oklahoma animals
March 24, 2021, OKLAHOMA CITY—At its quarterly board meeting on Wednesday, the trustees of Kirkpatrick Foundation voted unanimously to recognize Jamee Suarez and Robin Suarez with the 2021 Kirkpatrick Honor for Animal Wellbeing. The two animal advocates will be honored at the ANIMAL Conference, August 27-28, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
Kirkpatrick Foundation, which has a keen dedication to animal wellbeing through its Safe & Humane program and grants, established the award in 2015 to recognize and reward animal advocates dedicated to improving the lives of animals across the state. The award, which includes a cash prize of $25,000 to each recipient, is given in memory of Joan Kirkpatrick, president of Kirkpatrick Foundation from 1976 to 2008.
Jamee Suarez and Robin Suarez are volunteer animal advocates based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2004, they formed the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals with a primary purpose to bring together people and resources needed to overcome pet homelessness, abuse, and neglect. The sisters have built an organization that is innovative and wide reaching in its mission to help animals in need across the state, all while keeping it a mostly volunteer run operation. The group also runs education programs around animal welfare, anti-chaining, and responsible ownership. With their Unchain OK program, Jamee, Robin, and their volunteers offer many resources to households in order to make life better for a chained animal, from dog houses and straw to lightweight tie-outs and trolley systems that help relieve the weight of a chain on a dog’s neck. OAA also helps individuals who need subsidies for veterinary care, including spaying and neutering pets and emergency costs.
Past recipients of the Kirkpatrick Honor for Animal Wellbeing are Natalee Cross and Becky Switzer. In 2018, additional awards were given to Cynthia Armstrong, Lee Fairchild, John Otto, and Brent Thackerson for career achievements and a nonprofit award to Boys Town Ranch. To learn more about Oklahoma Alliance for Animals, visit animalallianceok.org.