May 2023 Monthly Report

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

Summary

MCAS began an adoption special with 50% reduced adoption fees on April 24, which continued through May. Volunteer support increased for foster care to support neonatal kittens and large-breed dogs.

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 806 vaccinations, including rabies, DA2PP and Bordetella for dogs and puppies, and FVRCP for cats and kittens.

They provided 1,138 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 and rabies vaccination at contracted veterinary clinics.

Fostered Animals

The majority of animals in foster care were kittens, cats, puppies, 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

182 or 35.8% of animals were adopted. MCAS began a 50% reduced fee adoption special on April 24 which continued through May.

138 or 27.2% 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.

103 or 20.3% of animals were transferred to another agency.

77 or 15.2% of animals were humanely euthanized, including cases of injured wildlife, injured or severely sick cats and kittens, 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.

1 cat, or 0.2% of animals were returned to field at the location where they were found. 7 animals or 1.4% of animals died in care, representing 2 cats, 4 kittens, and 1 instance of wildlife.

Transfers

MCAS transferred 20.3% of shelter animals to other shelters and rescues for adoption placement. Thank you to our community partners for your lifesaving work.

• Cat Adoption Team
• Oregon Humane Society
• Stumptown Strays
• Theresa's Country Feed And Pet Supply
• Rabbit Advocates
• Humane Society Of Southwest Washington
• Oregon Dachshund Rescue
• House Of Dreams
• Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue
• Angels For Sara Sanctuary
• Rose City Sphynx Rescue
• Pacific Pug Rescue
• Hiss & Hers Herp Hobbies

Volunteers

Volunteer support increased for cat & kitten support. Foster hours also increased for kitten season, puppies, and increasing support for large-breed dogs.

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 822 urgent needs of community members and their pets, investigated cases of potential cruelty or neglect, loose-aggressive animals, 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 2,443 total new or renewed licenses.