October 2021 Monthly Report

Summary

During July 2021, some services suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic resumed, including pet licensing and enforcement, owner surrenders, animal nuisance enforcement, and partial in-shelter volunteer activities. Modifications are reflected in reporting for October 2021.

Animal Intake

MCAS accepted stray dogs, sick or injured adult cats, kittens 6-12 months old, and officers also picked up stray or lost animals. Owner surrendered animals were accepted on a case by case basis, depending on urgent circumstances. Other intakes most commonly represent animals placed into protective custody by Animal Services officers.

Veterinary Care Provided

Animal Health and Animal Care staff provided a wide range of veterinary services to animals in care. 

To keep animals healthy, Animal Health staff, and partner veterinarians in the community administered 1,234 vaccinations, including rabies, DA2PP and Bordetella for dogs and puppies, and FVRCP for cats and kittens.

They provided 1,184 health exams and consultations, including routine exams, wound checks, pre-surgery checkups, behavior assessments, and reviewing test results or diagnoses with foster volunteers.

Fostered Animals

In October 2021, forty-four (44) animals entered foster care, joining the existing one-hundred-and-fifty-nine (159) animals already in care at the beginning of the month. The majority of animals in foster care were adult cats and kittens. MCAS foster volunteers cared for a total of two-hundred-and-three (203) foster animals. One-hundred-and-eight (108) of these animals left foster care for other outcomes over the course of the month, so the total number does not represent the maximum number of animals in care at one time.

Animal Outcomes

In October 2021, One-hundred-and-fifty-four animals (33.8%) were adopted. Adoptions were limited to the online process, and adopters were not able to browse kennels or conduct adoption interviews on-site. Adoptions were also performed from community adoption partners, and foster homes.

One-hundred-and-fifteen animals (25.2%) were reclaimed by their owners. The majority of animals represented in these outcomes were dogs.

One-hundred-and-twenty-six animals (27.6%) were transferred to another agency, including Oregon Humane Society, Portland Audubon Society, and Cat Adoption Team. The majority of these animals were kittens, wildlife, cats, and dogs.

Forty-nine animals (10.7%) were humanely euthanized, including cases of injured wildlife, injured or severely sick cats, and other domestic animals at the recommendation of a veterinarian, or for behavioral issues which would make an animal unsafe to place back into the community. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, cat intake is officially limited to cases where the cat is sick or injured, or in immediate danger due to cruelty, neglect, and similar circumstances. There is decreased intake volume for cats, and an increased percentage of veterinary-recommended euthanasia for adult cats due to these intake conditions.

Four cats and one case of wildlife, (0.9%) were returned to the field in October. Seven animals (1.5%) had an unassisted death while in care. One dog (0.2%) was lost in care.

Volunteers

With most in-shelter volunteer activities suspended due to COVID-19, the majority of volunteer hours in October were recorded by foster and transport volunteers. A limited number of dog volunteers assisted with potty-walks and kennel assistance, and office volunteers also assisted with administrative tasks.

Online Resources

Many services provided by MCAS are accessible online, at multcopets.org. Members of the public can search for adoptable or lost / found pets, license their pets, and learn about other resources and news. MCAS website pages are translated into four languages.

Field Services

Field Services officers responded to six-hundred-and-five (605) urgent needs of community members and their pets, investigated cases of potential cruelty or neglect, and picked up stray, injured, potentially dangerous, or deceased animals. Officers also responded to non-urgent calls such as barking dogs, animal trespass, and other community issues.

Pet Licensing

MCAS issued 2,263 total new or renewed licenses in October. An amnesty period ended in July for pet licensing requirements due to COVID-19 related hardships, and physical distancing requirements.