Deloris Delluomo
Based on more than three decades as a volunteer in the world of animal welfare and founder of one of the earliest high-volume, low-cost neuter spay facilities in the nation, Delluomo puts into words her passion for the plight of unwanted animals, and her frustration with the fact that euthanasia has been the standard approach to the century-old tragedy of pet overpopulation in America. Upon her decision to tackle pet overpopulation and euthanasia, Delluomo describes her surprise and dismay that local veterinarians, and the Oklahoma State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, who she believed would be allies, would indeed become bitter enemies of a project designed to save animal lives. Along the way, Delluomo questions the mentality of a fragmented humane movement which embraces no-kill shelters while arguing that breeding laws are a waste of time. By an unexpected investigation and ruling of the Federal Trade Commission against Oklahoma veterinarians, which Delluomo refers to as 'divine intervention,' the neuter/spay clinic is able to survive the harassment of the veterinarians and the OSBVME. However, in a surprise ending, once again the Board and its corrupt investigator, with multiple conflicts of interest, go after Lawton citizens and the Animal Birth Control Clinic in a report of the investigation of the city-operated animal shelter rather than those he was enlisted to investigate. Delluomo describes the periods of burn-out and feelings of failure that are an integral part of lending one’s life to the cause of animal welfare. 3
