January 2023 Monthly Report

View the January 2023 monthly report of animal intakes, outcomes, and other key metrics for Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS).

Summary

During January 2023, MCAS reopened for adoptions with the support of Multnomah County leadership, volunteers, Multnomah County Emergency Management, and our community of supporters. Adoptions and volunteer hours increased.

Animal Intake

MCAS accepted stray dogs, sick or injured adult cats and kittens from the public. 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 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 605 vaccinations, including rabies, DA2PP and Bordetella for dogs and puppies, and FVRCP for cats and kittens.

They provided 924 health exams and consultations, including routine exams, wound checks, pre-surgery checkups, behavior assessments, and reviewing test results or diagnoses with foster volunteers. Due to veterinary staff availability, spay and neuter surgeries for shelter animals were limited, and many adopters were issued vouchers to complete surgeries at contracted veterinary clinics.

Fostered Animals

In January 2023, the majority of animals in foster care were kittens, adult cats, and dogs. Many animals entered and left foster care 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 January 2023, 224 or 46.3% of animals were adopted. Adoption fees were waived, and MCAS was open for in-person adoptions after offering only online adoptions in prior months.

101 or 20.9% of animals were reclaimed by their owners. The majority of animals represented in these outcomes were dogs with a license and/or microchip for owner-contact.

111, or 22.9% of animals were transferred to another agency.

45, or 9.3% of animals 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. 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, and kittens over six weeks old. There is decreased intake volume for cats, and an increased percentage of veterinary-recommended euthanasia for adult cats due to these intake conditions.

3, or 0.6% of animals were returned to the field at the location where they were found.

Transfers

MCAS transfers nearly 23% of shelter animals to other shelters and rescues for adoption placement. Thank you to our community partners for your lifesaving work.

• Oregon Humane Society
• Cat Adoption Team
• Stumptown Strays
• Hiss & Hers Herp Hobbies
• Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue
• Family Dogs New Life Shelter
• Western Australian Shepherd Rescue
• Rabbit Advocates
• Pawsitively Saved Rescue
• Pacific Pug Rescue
• Cat Alliance Team Sanctuary
• Utah / Idaho Vizsla Rescue
• Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue
• Portland Audubon
• Jefferson Working Dog Project Rescue
• Jack Russell Rescue Owii
• Indigo Rescue Inc.
• Animal Aid INC

Volunteers

January 2023 saw the reopening of MCAS to in-person adoptions. Volunteer support increased at the shelter to support reopening with auxiliary roles, dog and cat volunteers, cleaning and laundry, and adoption info desk volunteers.

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 638 urgent needs of community members and their pets, investigated cases of potential cruelty or neglect, bites, and picked up stray, injured, abandoned, 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 2,554 total new or renewed licenses in January.