Every Outcome is Important

OHS tracks the status of every pet using a nationally recognized standard. The data provides a detailed breakdown of the health and adoption status of every animal in our care.

Adoptions in 2016: 97% Save Rate

OHS adopted 11,614 animals in 2016, with a 97% save rate. Our adoption rate is consistently three to four times above the national average and is one of the highest in the nation. The number of pets adopted in 2016 was just six pets shy of meeting the record set in 2015 (11,620).

Pets at OHS remain available for adoption as long as necessary (sometimes six months or more), and are never euthanized for space reasons.

The OHS save rate of 97% is even more impressive because it includes 6,328 animals transferred to OHS from 92 animal welfare agencies (such as humane societies and animal control agencies) in Oregon, Washington, California, Hawaii and Louisiana. These animals were given a “second chance” at finding a home through OHS when time and resources had run out at their original shelters.

The save rate, calculated according to the nationally recognized Asilomar Standard, reflects the many options for pets that come to the shelter besides adoption, such as animal transfers and animals who are returned to their owner. OHS is confident in its adoption figures because staffers conduct monthly physical inventories and spot audits.

2016 Adoption Reports

2015 Adoption Reports

2014 Adoption Reports

Complete adoption statistics for OHS and the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP) are found in the following Asilomar reports (all PDF):

2013 Adoption Reports

Supplemental Information

OHS Pet Evaluation Matrix (pdf)
Link to Asilomar Accords

View OHS Annual Reports and other publications »