OHS has a long history of working with Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS), and this month we’ve stepped up our efforts.
Animal shelters across the country are experiencing short staffing and delays filling open positions. These challenges have been affecting MCAS resulting in a staffing crisis, so they turned to OHS for help. Since May 1, OHS has deployed experienced volunteers and staff to MCAS to help provide daily care to the shelter’s animals.
OHS volunteer Michele Lytle is certified in Emergency Animal Sheltering and has deployed to numerous natural disasters around the country. Helping the team at MCAS had special meaning.
“Being able to use my skills and help care for the animals right here in my community was very gratifying,” says Michele. “The staff at MCAS are doing the best they can under difficult circumstances, and I am glad OHS has been able to help.”
To help open space at MCAS, the primary stray animal facility for Multnomah County, OHS’ Second Chance program has also transferred in 47 pets since May 1, and 147 pets since the beginning of 2022.
Since OHS is also doing adoptions seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., pets can get into new homes quickly.
To further expedite the process of pets finding loving families, a special fee-waived adoption event was held at MCAS June 4-5. OHS helped staff the event and provided logistic support. Before the shelter opened, eager adopters were lined up to give a pet in need a home.
The team from OHS included Brian August, Chief Operating Officer, Chase Patterson, Vice President of Operations, four additional members of the Operations team, two from Humane Law Enforcement, and one volunteer. The team worked side-by-side with MCAS staff and volunteers to help match people with pets. Close to 60 pets found new homes during the two-day event.
“OHS and MCAS have a long-standing history of working together to serve people and pets in the community,” says Brian. “We are fortunate to be able to provide additional support over the past several weeks to help MCAS’s dedicated staff and volunteers regain their footing”.
Watch news coverage of the adoption event here.
OHS relies on supporters like you to fund its disaster response, adoption, education and animal rescue programs. Be a lifeline for animals in need and make a donation today.
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Disaster Response at OHS
Oregon Humane Society has more than 130 staff and volunteers who are certified in Emergency Animal Sheltering. This means they have completed FEMA course work, participated in drills and have advanced animal handling skills. Additionally, the OHS technical animal rescue team can rappel down cliffs, climb trees and maneuver through challenging environments to rescue pets in distress.
