Karen Okura has either the best job in the world or the worst. As manager of the Anti-Cruelty Society’s department of animal behavior and training, she spends her workday surrounded by dogs and cats of every shape, size and cuteness level (generally very high). On the down side, Okura is on the front lines of Chicago’s stray animal problem, and may see the same animals returned to the facility at Grand and LaSalle several times before they find their “forever home.”
Q: How long have you worked at the ACS? When did you know you wanted to work with animals?
A: I’ve been with ACS as an employee for 22 years-but I started as a volunteer. I knew that I wanted to work with animals the first day I volunteered. I put in nearly 20 hours my first week! I just had an epiphany that shelter animals would be my career.
How many pets do you have, personally?
My husband and I share our home with three dogs, Vito Mellofello (Chihuahua, 12-ish), Isabella (flat-coated retriever/Border collie mix, 4) and Dexter (Cardigan Welsh Corgi mix, 6 months); and two cats, Stephan (Maine coon mix, 16) and Vinnie (Somali mix, 13). All are ACS adoptions.
What’s the biggest mistake potential pet owners make?
They come in with unrealistic goals-that the kids will keep their promise to scoop the litter box or walk the puppy, that someone will be home enough to properly care for the companion pet, that (it) will “outgrow” unwanted behavior. But mostly, that the companion pet will NOT behave like an animal and do things animals do.
What happens to a dog at ACS?
After it’s received, it’s vaccinated and de-wormed. Later it’s evaluated by a veterinarian and the behavior department. If the dog is found to be healthy and friendly, it’s placed for adoption, where it stays until it’s adopted.
What types of dogs are adopted first? Last?
Puppies and small-breed dogs are adopted immediately. It’s the larger dogs or the dogs that are older than a year who sit longer waiting for a home.
What’s the best part of your job? The worst part?
The best part of my job, of course, is the animals. Every aspect of my job allows me to act as an advocate for homeless dogs and cats. The worst part is when someone offering a good home leaves because we don’t have any younger animals. That one is a real crusher . . .
Have you ever fallen in love with an animal that’s come into the shelter? What happened?
I fall in love a lot. And sometimes I adopt them! But I’ve met so many amazing animals in two decades-I always make sure that they get great homes. Our adopted animals are the best “advertising” ACS can get.
If there’s one thing you could say to people thinking about coming in to adopt a pet, what would it be?
Think. Mull the decision over. Make sure this is a good decision from all angles: financial, social, family, personal. If all points to yes, adopt.
Has there ever been a dog that defied expectations? Maybe one that was successfully adopted, despite what everyone expected?
I can’t choose just one dog. So many dogs and cats have been abused, tortured or neglected to near death when they come through our doors. We treat them; we make them well. But the most incredible thing is that nearly all of them offer us their trust. And they move on to their adoptive homes and are loved. And love their families. Wow. That still amazes me.
