Portland, OR. This year, National Pet Day is on Sunday, April 11th, 2021. Whether you have a dog, cat, bird, fish, horse, rabbit, chicken, snake, hamster, or any other pet, you can celebrate the special day. National Pet Day was established in 2006 by animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige. Her mission was to put a spotlight on the joy pets bring to their owners’ life, as well as bring attention to the ongoing needs of many pets waiting in shelters to find their forever homes.
According to the CDC, there are plenty of health benefits that come along with owning a pet. Some include decreased blood pressure, decreased cholesterol levels, decreased feelings of loneliness, as well as increased opportunities for socialization, exercising, and outdoor activities.
Owning a pet brings along responsibilities. Some of these basic responsibilities include making sure your pet is fed, watered, and their habitat is safe and caters to your pet’s specific needs.
One popular way to celebrate National Pet Day is by posting a picture of you and your pet on your social media using #NationalPetDay. You can get as creative as you’d like and set up a photo shoot to get the best selfie of your pet. Or you could simply snap a candid and post about why your pet is so important to you.
National Pet Day is an excellent time to do some updates for your pets:
Go through your pet’s toys. Throw away any items that are no longer safe.
Maintain your pet-friendly home. Keep cords and toxins secure from your four-legged friends. This includes phone chargers.
Verify when vaccinations are due and schedule an appointment to update if they are due.
Check collars to ensure tags are secure and numbers are current. We sometimes forget to update this information when we move or change numbers.
The Oregon Humane Society has lots of pets to adopt. Below are some details about adoption:
During this time, our shelter is closed for public walk-through viewing. Adoptions are available by appointment only. We will email you a scheduling link if you are first in line for a pet. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we find homes for pets as quickly and efficiently as possible. Stay safe, stay healthy!
The Adoption Process:
Step 1: Submit an adoption questionnaire. Pet profiles are available on our Adopt page. New pets are usually posted daily between 6-7 p.m. Read through the profiles carefully to see which pet you are interested in adopting.
At the end of each pet’s profile, you will see a link to a questionnaire for that pet. Click the link to fill out an online questionnaire for that pet and submit it to OHS.
You will need to submit a questionnaire for each animal you are interested in.
Step 2: Schedule an adoption phone consultation. If you are first in line for a pet, our Adoption team will email you a scheduling link to set up a time to talk on the phone to discuss the pet’s specific needs and whether the pet will be a good fit for your lifestyle. If you provide your mobile phone number on the adoption questionnaire, we will also text you a link to notify you that you are first in line. We will be sending out two rounds of emails daily: once in the morning and once in the early afternoon.
Please add [email protected] to your address book to ensure you don’t miss any important communications from us.
If you are a Gmail or Comcast user, please be sure to check your spam/junk folders.
We process adoption questionnaires on a first received, first-served basis. We recommend you continue to monitor your email as the first person does not always end up adopting. You will receive email notification once the pet has been adopted and your questionnaire is no longer valid.
Scheduling links will only be valid for 4 hours after the email is sent. If you do not schedule your appointment before the link expires, we will move on to the next person in line.
Please allow a 5-minute window to receive your call at your scheduled time. Please make sure your phone is on. You can expect us to be calling from (503) 285-7722.
Step 3: Schedule a meet & greet/adoption appointment. If you are ready to move forward with the adoption after your phone consultation, an appointment will be set up for you to meet with the pet. There is a $20 non-refundable hold fee to set an appointment for a meet and greet.
For your convenience, we also offer contactless adoptions for eligible pets. The decision for a contactless adoption can be made during the phone consultation.
You will only be able to meet with one pet during your appointment to minimize the amount of in-person contact with staff. You will have to wear a mask for the duration of your visit to OHS. We are limiting in-person meet and greets to 30 minutes or less.
Step 4: Take your new pet home! For more information about what is included in your new pet’s adoption, please head on over to our Adoption Support page.
Due to the high volume of calls, we are unable to provide specific animal information over the phone if you call in. Please look at each individual animal profile to learn more. The best place to view the most up-to-date information is on the OHS website. To ensure the most up-to-date and accurate reflection of animals available for adoption, we do not feed to third party sites like petfinder.com or adopt-a-pet.com.
OHS is a private, nonprofit organization that relies on individual donations, grants and our own fundraising to operate. We do not receive any federal, state or government funding.Adoption fees help offset some of the costs associated with providing for the animals in our care – this includes housing, food, medical care, enrichment, behavior modification and more. We use variable pricing and the adoption fee for each animal is dependent on many factors including age, breed and health of the individual animal.Adoption fees range from $55 to $600 for dogs and $15 to $200 for cats. The adoption fee for each animal is included in their animal profile.
Adoption Process
Who should meet my new pet?
At this time, due to COVID, we are asking that only the household decision-makers come to meet the pet you are interested in adopting. We are currently limiting the number of visitors per interaction. Please work with your adoption counselor if you feel there is need for additional family members to meet the pet. The adoption counselor will help you determine what is appropriate and how we can best accommodate your needs.We do not offer cat-to-cat introductions, rabbit-to-rabbit introductions or interspecies introductions. We do encourage bringing your dog in to meet any dog you are considering adopting. For all dog/puppy adoptions, we require you have a leash or crate to take the pet home, so don’t forget to bring yours from home if you already have one.
How can I be first in line for a pet?
We encourage you to check the website between 6-7 pm and submit a questionnaire as soon as possible to have the best chance of being first in line for a pet. If a client ahead of you places a hold for adoption, you will be notified via email and the pet will be removed from the website. *Some animals will be made available outside of the 6-7 pm timeframe, so it is always a good idea to continue to watch our website throughout the day. You can adjust the “sort by” filter to look at the most recent animals.
Understanding Your Pet
Icons
You may notice that some animals have icons underneath their profile photo. Here’s what the icons mean.
How We Assess Our Animals
Age: The age of an animal is subjective and approximate, but we look at their teeth, body condition and behavior.Behavior: Animals are assessed by highly trained staff to see how the animal responds to things such as handling, walking on leash and meeting other animals in the shelter. Relevant information is gathered and offered to potential adopters as tools for education. The evaluations by our staff are by no means comprehensive and guarantees of behavior. Environment plays a significant role in an animal’s behavior, their behavior is subject to change once the animal is in a different environment. OHS staff do their best to find great matches for all of our adopters along with plenty of post adoption support and resources.If you need additional support with your adopted pet, please visit our OHS Resource Library or contact our Training Department.Medical: Not all of our animals are seen by a veterinarian. At the time of intake, all animals will be looked over by a technician to inspect their coat and skin, ears, eyes, mouth, teeth and gums and their weight. If there is a concern, a request will be submitted to have a veterinarian look at the animal.Breed: The breed of an animal is subjective, but our highly trained staff uses their expertise to assign a breed that best fits the animal.Previous Owner Questionnaire: All owner surrendered animals will have a previous owner questionnaire that will tell you what the previous owner wants you to know about their pet. This will go home with the animal at time of adoption.
Second Chance
OHS works with more than 92 shelter partners across the Northwest, California and reaching as far as Louisiana. Learn more about this program.
Thank you for wanting to adopt a pet from the Oregon Humane Society. At OHS, we imagine a place where kindness and love prevail. A society in which all beings have a place, a purpose, and a sense of belonging. We are on a mission to create this society, a more humane society, and we need your help. Find out how you can be more humane.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society has launched a state-wide effort to distribute pet food to shelters, rescue organizations, and food pantries. On April 22nd, three OHS trucks were packed with dog food, cat food, and litter. They headed to Hood River, Pendleton, and Eugene. Deliveries will continue each Tuesday and Thursday for the next month with the goal of providing assistance to all 36 counties throughout Oregon. More than 50,000 pounds of pet food is expected to be distributed and GreaterGood.org donated about 27,000 pounds of pet food.
“The Oregon Humane Society is here to serve the entire state, especially during this difficult time,” says Sharon Harmon, OHS President and CEO. “We are very thankful to our partners who have supported OHS and made this donation possible,” added Harmon.
Recipients on April 22nd included Greenhill Humane Society in Eugene, FISH Food Bank in Hood River and PAWS in Pendleton. On April 24th, teams from OHS head to Humane Society of Central Oregon and Josephine County.
From the Oregon Humane Society:
The Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest’s oldest and largest humane society, with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. OHS receives no government funds for its adoption, education and animal cruelty investigation programs. Visit oregonhumane.org for more information.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) honored heroic people and pets at the annual Diamond Collar Awards luncheon. The luncheon took place on February 20th at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Pets and people were recognized for their compassion, dedication, and resiliency. Organizers say the inspiring stories represent OHS’s mission of fostering an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals. Pictured above is Kevvie the dog and Brian August. Kevvie was abandoned in the woods and suffering from gunshot wounds. OHS caretakers say this resilient dog took months to heal and trust again. Her gentle and forgiving nature allowed her to find her forever home with her new family.
Pictured above is Nancy Tonkin-Zoucha and friends
OHS Diamond Collar – Matt Zaffino and Sharon Harmon
“I am always so inspired by the OHS Diamond Collar Award honorees,” said Sharon Harmon, OHS President, and CEO. “Each of the recipients reminds us of the compassion and kindness in our community.” Harmon hosted the awards with KGW Chief Meteorologist Matt Zaffino.
OHS Diamond Collar – Ilene the kitten and Alanna Lundin
OHS Diamond Collar – George Piter and Squeak
Below are videos featuring the Diamond Collar Heroes:
George Piter: For 13 years, George and his trained therapy cats have dedicated time to visit Salem Hospital and brighten the days of patients and anyone else who may need it.
Ilene the kitten: A tiny but mighty kitten was born without eyes and discarded in the trash in Central California. After being transferred to the Oregon Humane Society for a special surgery, she went on to inspire a family and show the world that anyone can overcome their obstacles with love and determination.
Joyce Briggs de la Fuente: Thousands of cats and kittens were entering Oregon shelters every year. Under Joyce’s leadership, she brought together animal welfare leaders, innovative planning, extensive research and data that launched the Spay and Save Program which provides an easy and affordable option to prevent unwanted litters of kittens. With this new program, Portland is now the safest place for homeless felines.
Kevvie the dog: After being abandoned in the woods and suffering from gunshot wounds, this resilient dog took months to heal and trust again. Her gentle and forgiving nature allowed her to find her forever home with her new family.
More about the Oregon Humane Society:
OHS is the largest humane society in the Northwest and adopts more animals from its Portland shelter than any other single-facility shelter on the West Coast. OHS puts no time limits on how long animals remain at the shelter—a pet stays available for adoption for as long as needed to find a loving home. If a pet in the care of OHS needs medical attention, the OHS veterinary hospital provides the pet with the same level of care you would want your own pet to receive.
Founded in 1868 by noted humanitarian Thomas Lamb Eliot, OHS is the fourth-oldest humane society in the nation. Eliot initially established OHS to stop the neglect and abuse of draft animals. The mission expanded to include companion animals and, until 1933, orphaned children.
OHS finds homes for more than 11,000 pets each year. The OHS medical team provides free and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for thousands of pets owned by low-income families OHS educators reach more than 12,000 youths and about 2,000 adults annually through humane education programs. The OHS Second Chance program brings more than 8,000 pets annually to OHS from other shelters around the region. In the state capitol, OHS is the driving force behind efforts to improve laws that protect animals and punish offenders.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society was granted $107,500 from PetSmart Charities on November 18th. This money is earmarked for the Oregon Humane Society’s Second Chance Program. The program was created to help other overflowing shelters move animals to communities with eager adopters for a second chance at a new life. Originally the Second Chance program helped dogs and puppies, but in 2019, the Oregon Humane Society opened a new Cat and Kitten Intake Center to accommodate large transports of cats and kittens. In Madera, California, they were struggling with a cat overpopulation for years. With this new Second Chance Program, more than 200 cats and kittens have been transported to OHS as a part of this grant.
This kitten was transported as part of the Second Chance Program. OHS plans on two trips per month from the Madera region through August 2020.
Deborah Turcott, acting president of PetSmart Charities, believes strong partnership is the key to success for this and other transport programs.“Pet transport is one of the strongest examples of how animal welfare organizations come together to solve for pet homelessness,” she explained. “And our funding to the Oregon Humane Society in this way brings our mission of finding loving homes for homeless pets come to life in communities across the country and in areas of great need.”
Cat Pictured From Oregon Humane Society’s Second Chance Program
OHS is the largest humane society in the Northwest and adopts more animals from its Portland shelter than any other single-facility shelter on the West Coast. OHS puts no time limits on how long animals remain at the shelter—a pet stays available for adoption for as long as needed to find a loving home. If a pet in the care of OHS needs medical attention, the OHS veterinary hospital provides the pet with the same level of care you would want your own pet to receive. Founded in 1868 by noted humanitarian Thomas Lamb Eliot, OHS is the fourth-oldest humane society in the nation. Eliot initially established OHS to stop the neglect and abuse of draft animals. The mission expanded to include companion animals and, until 1933, orphaned children.
More from PetSmart Charities:
PetSmart Charities, Inc. is committed to finding lifelong, loving homes for all pets by supporting programs and thought the leadership that brings people and pets together. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities helps to find forever homes and families for more than 600,000 shelter pets each year. Each year, millions of generous PetSmart shoppers help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart stores. In turn, PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its role as the leading funder of animal welfare in North America, granting almost $400 million since its inception in 1994. Independent from PetSmart Inc., PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization that has received the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, a third-party organization that reports on the effectiveness, accountability and transparency of nonprofits, for the past 16 years in a row – placing it among the top one percent of charities rated by this organization. To learn more visit www.petsmartcharities.org.
Portland, OR. The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) is now accepting nominations for animal heroes and heroic humans who have had a positive impact on the lives of animals. They will be honored at the OHS Heroes Luncheon on February 20th, 2020 in downtown Portland.
Do you know an animal who has made a difference in the life of a special needs child or someone with an illness? Do you know a person who has helped animals in some unique way? The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) is looking to shine the spotlight on animals and animal lovers who are true heroes.
The OHS honor is called the Diamond Collar Hero Awards. It recognizes animals who have acted to save a human or animal life in peril, performed services within the community with undying loyalty, or overcome incredible odds in order to survive. Winners can also be humans who have had a positive impact on the lives of animals, exhibiting courage and compassion in the pursuit of animals’ well-being.
Oregon Humane Society, Diamond Collar Committee, 1067 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97211, and postmarked by January 27, 2020 to ensure arrival by February 1.
The winners will be notified early February 2020 and will accept their awards at the OHS Heroes Luncheon to be held Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Multnomah Athletic Club in downtown Portland.
About the event
The OHS Heroes Luncheon presenting the Diamond Collar Awards will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR 97205. Tickets are $60 per person.
Here’s a video about how you can adopt at the Oregon Humane Society:
###
The Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest’s oldest and largest humane society, with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. OHS receives no government funds for its adoption, education, medical and behavior programs. Visit oregonhumane.org<http://www.oregonhumane.org/> for more information.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
