These are challenging times in animal welfare – the need is everywhere. But there is power in our collective compassion. When organizations work together, we can accomplish so much more. Even when we disagree, we all have a shared goal of saving lives, and improving the lives of pets and the people who love them.
When OHS merged with Willamette Humane Society in July 2022, it was a big change for the community. In the two years since, the focus on our lifesaving work has been steadfast.
OHS is an Oregon nonprofit which offers a wide variety of services across the entire state, including pet adoption, training, humane law enforcement, veterinary care, humane education, and disaster response. OHS Salem Campus is committed to serving the pets and people of the mid-Valley, while also meeting its obligations to serve shelters and rescues across the entire state.
Many of the issues facing animal welfare in our communities are complex, so we invite you to learn about OHS programs, policies, and impact in the mid-Valley.
Important things to know:
- OHS’ efforts to protect and provide services to stray cats is restricted by state law, which treats cats as any other lost “property” and therefore requires a 90-day hold period before they can be adopted.
- OHS and Marion County interpret the law differently—neither side is being disingenuous, we just disagree. Because of our Humane Law Enforcement work, which serves all of Oregon, OHS takes the more accepted interpretation across the state. OHS can help stray cats from Marion County, but without a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) we must defer to state-wide lost property law which requires a 90-day hold. Holding animals for 90 days would severely restrict OHS’ ability to serve the community. With this in mind, we do accept limited intake of stray cats who are sick or injured and neonatal cats.
- Limiting intake to sick and injured cats is also in alignment with emerging best practices and recommendations from Alley Cat Allies, the National Animal Care and Control Association, ASPCA and other organizations. There is also growing recognition that a mom and kittens are best left in place.
- It can be difficult to determine if a roaming cat is a stray or owned cat. OHS created an online resource using nationally recognized best practices to determine a course of action. Taking a roaming cat to a shelter can cause stress and may expose them to illness.
- While Willamette Humane Society did accept stray cats from Marion County, in 2019 WHS was sued by a cat owner whose “stray cat” was rehomed even though that cat had served what was considered a standard stray hold time of 3-5 days.
- Marion County has a different interpretation of state law than OHS does. But both OHS and Marion County are committed to finding a lasting solution.
- OHS has been working diligently to pursue all options available in the legislature to resolve the 90-day hold barrier. In 2023, OHS supported HB 3571 which would have clarified found property laws and holding periods. Unfortunately, the bill did not pass, but we are committed to finding a lasting solution that addresses this core issue and are actively working on proposals for the next legislative session.
- In the meantime, OHS is still taking in and providing services for stray cats in Polk County as permitted by our MOU with the county.
- OHS has not renewed the contract with Polk County to provide kenneling services for stray dogs. Instead, OHS would like to create a Second Chance partnership similar to how we work with Marion County Dog Services, which would allow for transfers of animals who are ready for adoption to OHS.
- OHS provides spay/neuter surgery to thousands of community (feral) and owned cats in the mid-Valley. In 2023, OHS Salem campus spayed/neutered 1,294 community cats, 2,488 owned pets, and 412 pets from other rescue groups.
- OHS Salem is a safety net for members of the local community who need to find a new home for their cat or kittens. In the first half of 2024, OHS Salem received 581 owner-surrendered cats / kittens.
- More than 30% of cases that OHS’ Humane Law Enforcement team works on are in Marion County. This includes helping overwhelmed pet owners and partnering with local law enforcement.
- OHS Salem recently completed a construction project to add digital imaging capabilities and a dental suite to the Veterinary Clinic. These new diagnostic tools will improve the lives of shelter pets who would otherwise have to be transported to another clinic for these services.
- Claims that we have a $125 million endowment are false. OHS is committed to serving pets and people long into the future and must remain fiscally sustainable and transparent to achieve this. Our annual audited financial statements and 990s are available on our website.
