The New Road Ahead is the Oregon Humane Society’s most ambitious expansion project in its 153-year history and represents the next phase in attaining OHS’s mission of creating a More Humane Society. The goal of this project is to keep pets and families together and prevent and eliminate suffering in all its forms from the heartbreak of surrendering a pet with a treatable medical condition to fighting animal cruelty and neglect. We will work towards this goal by increasing access to affordable veterinary care, providing a dedicated space for rescued animals and animals who need behavior rehabilitation, and expanding our work on cruelty cases.
The total cost for the New Road Ahead is approximately $39.5 million, and the Board of Directors has set a fundraising goal of $36 million. OHS is committing $3.5 million to this project from our reserve account.
Located to the immediate right of our Ernest C. Swigert Animal Shelter, our expanded campus will total 12 acres. In addition to our current shelter, we are building two new innovative facilities that will help shape the future of animal welfare. One facility will house the Behavior Rehabilitation and Rescue Center, a purpose-built space dedicated to helping rescued animals and animals in our behavior rehabilitation program. The other building will house the Community Teaching Hospital on the first floor and the Animal Crimes Forensic Center on the second floor. The Community Teaching Hospital will offer a full menu of veterinary services to pet owners who can afford to pay full price and those who need to access care on a sliding scale basis. The Animal Crimes Forensic Center will provide the space and facilities necessary to take on more cruelty case work around the state.
The New Road Ahead does not replace any of OHS’s current programs, like adoptions, Second Chance, training classes, and Spay & Save. Rather, it builds on OHS’s success and does even more to help pets and people in our community and beyond.
With rising housing, transportation, human healthcare costs and other unemployment and economic impacts, it is becoming increasingly difficult for families in our community to provide medical care to their pets. Even basic preventative veterinary care such as annual checkups and vaccinations can be expensive, but when a beloved cat or dog becomes sick or injured the medical costs can be out of reach for many families. The Community Teaching Hospital will be the first clinic in Oregon dedicated to offering accessible veterinary care to thousands of under-resourced clients and their pets. Within five years of operation, we anticipate 66,000 patient visits annually.
The Community Teaching Hospital, Animal Crimes Forensic Center, and Behavior Rehabilitation and Rescue Center are scheduled to open summer of 2022.
The board has formed two committees. A fundraising committee, led by Lynn Loacker, will help us raise the money needed to build the New Road Ahead. A building committee, led by Dave Hansen, guides our work with the architects and construction team.
As an OHS donor, you are a vital part of our lifesaving work every day. We look to you to advocate for the animals, share our mission, and live our vision moving forward.
With your support we will realize this important vision for our community and for the animals we serve. Gifts can be made online. Or, you can email or call our campaign office for more information and a pledge form at 503-802-6758 or [email protected].
Yes! By pledging over a period of up to four years, donors can make larger commitments and fulfill them at a comfortable pace. Payments can be made annually, semi-annually, quarterly, or in any convenient payment schedule. Gifts can also be made by donating stock or other securities, through Donor Advised Funds as well as through IRAs. Please contact Shelah Hanson at [email protected] or 503-802-6776 with additional questions about giving.
You can contact the New Road Ahead Campaign office at 503-802-6758 or [email protected].
