Each of the thousands of cats and dogs who arrive each year at Multnomah County Animal Services’ shelter is in a place that once again has achieved the highest industry standards of professional veterinary care.
The American Animal Hospital Association last week re-accredited the county shelter after an inspection of the facility at 1700 W. Columbia River Highway in Troutdale. The re-accreditation keeps Multnomah County Animal Services among the 15 percent of veterinary practices in the United States and Canada to meet or exceed this high standard for professional veterinary care.
The county shelter was the first shelter in Oregon to earn AAHA accreditation in 2006, then earned re-accreditation in 2009 and again last week. AAHA inspects and evaluates accredited veterinary practices every three years as a way to raise the level of care being provided to companion animals, to increase loyalty among veterinary staff members and to provide a way for animal hospitals to show their excellence to their communities and clients.
“This is an honor that’s a credit to our entire staff and volunteers,” said Mike Oswald, director of Multnomah County Animal Services. “And it’s a distinction we’re proud to share with our entire animal-loving community that supports our constant efforts to provide the highest levels of veterinary care.’’
“Our shelter is unique in the region because it accepts all stray, abandoned, neglected or abused animals as well as animals surrendered by their owners if the animals have nowhere else to go,” Oswald added. “The great news about our re-accreditation is that it’s one more piece of evidence that we are achieving the best possible care for the animals.”
To learn more about the shelter and the steady gains it’s making to improve live release rates for cats and dogs, please visit Animal Services’ website and read how you can help by adopting a dog or cat, licensing your pet and spaying/neutering animals.
February 8, 2012