Honoring Congressman Earl Blumenauer

A tribute to a
lifetime of service

Congressman Earl Blumenauer has been a recognizable figure in politics for many years thanks, in part, to his signature bow tie and bicycle-shaped label pin. At Oregon Humane Society, he is also known for his commitment to animal welfare and his support for several key pieces of legislation, including amendments to the Animal Welfare Act.

In September 2020, Congressman Blumenauer visited Oregon Humane Society as multiple crises were affecting Oregon. The pandemic changed almost every aspect of OHS’ operations, while responding to raging wildfires around the state was stretching resources. Congressman Blumenauer solicited feedback and showed his commitment to helping our state get through these compounding disasters.

Four years later, Congressman Blumenauer returned again to OHS, this time to tour the expansion of our services and  learn about the impact these programs are having in our community. These include the Community Veterinary Hospital distributing more than $2 million in subsidized veterinary care for struggling pet owners, the Animal Crimes Forensic Center providing services to dozens of law enforcement agencies, and use of the Behavior and Rescue Center to respond to urgent situations and natural disasters.

With Congressman Blumenauer’s long career coming to a close at the end of the year, OHS is creating a permanent reminder of his lasting impact in animal welfare. A kennel in the Behavior and Rescue Center has been dedicated to Congressman Blumenauer with a plaque adorning the door to kennel #24. This kennel is significant in that it represents the young age that he was first elected to office. At OHS, kennel #24 represents the start of a new life for the animals who find refuge here.