Damage to OHS Portland Campus
Update: Feb. 1
While the temperatures have warmed, recovery from the recent winter storm continues.
Several areas that were impacted by the storm have resumed normal operations. This includes the pressure washing equipment, food prep, and laundry areas.
However, the hospital in the main shelter is experiencing significant impacts from the damage. Water damage to the walls in the specialty surgery and dentistry suites have forced those two areas to close. Staff have been able to use space in the Community Veterinary Hospital as needed to treat shelter pets. The collaboration and cooperation of our medical teams to ensure pets get the care they need has been incredible.
Additional measures have been taken to ensure that our building is protected from future extreme weather events. For example, frost protection heaters for the boiler room and pressure washer room have been ordered. This will provide protection up to -20 degrees F.
Update: Jan. 19
With the recent storm damage to Oregon Humane Society Portland Campus, the outpouring of support from animal lovers like you has been tremendous. Offers to help remove debris, replenish strained resources, and spend time with pets have been astounding.
Yet, we continue to face new challenges.
The animals are our top priority—keeping them all safe and comfortable has inspired creativity by our dedicated staff and volunteers. With many outdoor areas covered in slippery ice, meeting rooms have been temporarily converted to play areas for exercise.
Since the initial broken pipes flooded many areas of our shelter, another pipe has now burst. With adoptions and veterinary services being limited, staff staying at the shelter overnight to monitor systems, and damages continuing to add up (even with insurance), costs are rising quickly—and we need your help.
How You Can Help
Caring for pets in all conditions is only possible because of support from animal lovers like you.
If you have not had the chance to make an emergency gift, please consider donating today. Your generous support will help us weather this storm and ensure every pet at OHS continues to receive the care they deserve.
Update: Jan. 16
Like so many in our area, Oregon Humane Society Portland Campus’ shelter sustained significant damage from the recent storm. Careful preparations were no match for the record-breaking low temperatures. Teams arriving found pipes had burst—flooding our food prep and laundry areas, as well as the shelter hospital.
These areas are vital for daily animal care and food storage. As systems struggle to keep up, many parts of the building lacked heat. Flooding water threatened to creep into the small animal area.
Fortunately, no animals were harmed, as our highly-skilled facilities team responded quickly—working with staff and volunteers to mitigate the damage. Keeping animals safe and comfortable is our top priority.
Our work continues 365 days a year—no matter the weather.
Support from donors like you will help us recover, make vital repairs, and continue caring for the incredible pets relying on us each day. Animals are still cared for by dedicated staff and volunteers—even when inclement weather forces us to close our doors to the public.
While the full extent of the damage is unknown at this time, teams are working swiftly to prepare for another round of icy weather while evaluating both short and long-term solutions. We don’t know what the rest of this winter will bring, but your support fuels our work—the pets and people of our community need us now more than ever.
