December 2022 Monthly Report

View the December 2022 monthly report of animal intakes, outcomes, and other key metrics for Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS).

Summary

During December 2022, Services and shelter access were limited. Adoptions were conducted virtually.

 

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

They provided 981 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 December 2022, 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 December 2022, one-hundred-and-twenty-eight (30.1%) animals were adopted. Adoption fees were waived, 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-eighteen animals (27.8%) were reclaimed by their owners. The majority of animals represented in these outcomes were dogs.

One-hundred–and-ten animals (25.9%) were transferred to another agency. The majority of these animals were adult cats, kittens, and dogs.

Sixty-seven animals (15.8%) 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.

One instance of wildlife, a skunk, (0.2%) was returned to the field at the location where they were found. One cat (0.2%) escaped and was lost in care.

 

Volunteers

The majority of volunteer hours in December were recorded by foster volunteers. Dog volunteers assisted with potty-walks, cat volunteers increased activity, transport volunteers and office volunteers also assisted with administrative tasks, including a team posting found animal profiles to social media.

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 Five-hundred-and-eighty (580) 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 1,623 total new or renewed licenses in December.