Photo: Ford, Brad
For the second time in less than a week, Oregon Humane Society is responding to an urgent need to assist animals in crisis and utilizing the new Behavior and Rescue Center as a vital resource.
Late last week, Jackson County and Josephine County animal services sent out a plea for help as their shelters were reaching crisis capacity levels.
“Our shelter has been operating at or above 200% capacity for a long time,” says Laura Jansen, Josephine County Animal Shelter Manager. “March was the highest month for intake ever recorded for our shelter with 134 dogs coming in.”
Jackson County issued a press release on Wednesday asking for the public and shelter partners’ help as the shelter was currently caring for 120 dogs.
Teams from OHS’ Portland and Salem campuses mobilized quickly to provide a lifeline for these shelter animals. Before dawn on Saturday morning, four OHS Second Chance vehicles were on the road.
In total, 60 dogs were transferred to OHS – 24 to the Behavior and Rescue Center, 22 to the Portland Campus main shelter, and 14 to the Salem Campus.
“True to our name, Oregon Humane Society is committed to animal welfare throughout our state,” says Sharon Harmon, OHS President and CEO. “Being able to help our shelter partners in urgent situations is exactly why OHS built the Behavior and Rescue Center and established a campus in Salem.”
To help more dogs find homes, OHS is also launching a dog adoption promotion Tuesday through Sunday. Adoption fees are being reduced to $50 for dogs one year and older, and $150 for dogs under one year.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to help these dogs, our animal welfare colleagues, and the communities they serve,” says Harmon.
"This rescue is not just saving lives – it’s restoring hope for our shelter so we can keep moving ahead,” added Jensen. “The people who support Second Chance are our heroes.”
Source: Oregon Humane Society