After a nearly month-long surge in stray and surrendered dogs, Multnomah County Animal Services is urgently asking the community to help alleviate the overcrowding. Adopting a pet will open space and allow the shelter to continue providing the best care possible for all pets.
“If you have been thinking about finding a family dog, we are here to help you meet them this weekend,’’ said Erin Grahek, Multnomah County Animal Services Director. “We have adoption counselors and volunteers ready to help and we have many wonderful animals waiting. This overcrowding is hardest on them.’’
The shelter is holding a Valentine Adoption Special all month, reducing adoption fees for dogs to $25 — plus licensing fees, and the long-term commitment and care needed for animal companionship.
The animal shelter will be open to the public Friday and through the weekend:
- Friday: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The public is encouraged to visit multcopets.org to view the dogs available for adoption, along with detailed information about their breed, size, color, personality and an estimated adoption costs.
Sharpest uptick in surrendered dogs since 2012
Staff attribute this month’s surge — the highest uptick since 2012 — to more dog owners losing or at serious risk of losing their homes; struggling with their household finances amid the rising cost of living; or having trouble affording veterinary care.
The shelter has not received any pets displaced by the recent fires in Los Angeles, though other agencies in Oregon are trying to find homes for the California transfers.
This is the third consecutive year the number of animals coming into the shelter has risen sharply. In January 2025, the shelter took in 268 dogs who were either surrendered or found as strays. At the same time, just 234 dogs were either adopted, returned to their owners or transferred as rescue dogs.
Combined with several long-term cases of animals in the shelter’s care, Multnomah County has been left with few kennels to house any more incoming dogs as of Thursday, Feb. 6. The numbers are so high, almost every office in the Troutdale shelter is temporarily also housing a dog.
The shelter — Multnomah County’s only public shelter that accepts all animals arriving — operates in a cramped building less than half the size County officials say would meet the community’s needs. It accepts stray animals, including pigs, chickens and doves, as well as surrendered pets. The shelter also provides long-term housing for pets in protective custody and serves a secure facility for dangerous dogs during pending legal cases.
The County is developing a plan for a replacement facility that would be large enough to accommodate staff and animals while also ensuring the animals receive the proper housing, enrichment and veterinary care they need.
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