TROUTDALE Ore. (KPTV) – Following a surge in stray and surrendered dogs, Multnomah County Animal Services says their shelter is nearing capacity and asked the community to help.
“We’re always doing a balancing act with the number of pets that come in towards return to owner, adoption, and transfer to local partners,” said Erin Grahek, Director of MCAS.
Grahek said 2025 has seen some of their highest surrender dog rates since 2012, with the organization taking in 268 animals compared to just 234 dogs adopted, returned, or transferred in January alone.
”It’s created a situation where we are nearly-to-completely full for dogs,” Grahek said.
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According to MCAS, licensing and microchipping pets helps the shelter return strays to their homes.
However, Grahek said economic issues may be part of this latest pet predicament.
“Housing instability, living cost as well as veterinary care, may affect a person’s situation as to why they became stray or were surrendered but we don’t have full data because dogs don’t have words,” Grahek said.
Darlene Wallace has been adopting and sheltering dogs at MCAS for decades and said these furry companions got her through serious accidents and rough times.
”I’ve been through car accidents, difficult losses, they were there,” Wallace said. “This works, these things keep you going, they’re not just things, they’re your children, your life, they’re a reason to get up in the morning.”
To help ease costs and the overflow of the county’s only shelter accepting all animals, the organization is running a $25 Valentine Adoption Special plus licensing fees and long-term commitment and care for animal companionship.
“We’re asking the community to partner with us, come on out and adopt the dog their family needs right now,” Grahek said.
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