OHS News and Blog
Learn about OHS’ impact in our community and beyond, and discover new ways to support your pets at home.
-
Bringing Pets & People Together
Luckily, the small siblings found safe haven with Lila Obeng, Evidence Technician on OHS’ Humane Law Enforcement team, who stepped in to provide emergency foster care that helped keep the kittens alive during their most vulnerable hours. Although Lila’s care helped stabilize them, the tiny trio needed continual care and attention—especially Stanley, the smallest and…
-
More Care for More Animals
The hospital opened in October 2022 as part of our New Road Ahead expansion, with a goal of keeping more pets and their people together. By offering high-quality veterinary care to our community—including preventative care, surgery, dentistry, urgent care—and providing families who qualify with subsidized care options, OHS has been able to reduce the need…
-
Meet Dr. Forman
OHS Welcomes a New Medical Director to the Community Veterinary Hospital Looking back on her life, Dr. Franci Forman believes she was always destined to be a veterinarian. She had focused much of her early adulthood around building a career as a competitive downhill skier, but the practice of medicine called to her just as…
-
Justice for Monte
The neighbors felt something wasn’t right. Rumors circulated as the community grew increasingly concerned about the noises emanating from a SE Portland home. Portland Police Bureau officers responded to the call for help, with the assistance of Multnomah County Animal Services and Oregon Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement and medical teams. A total of 15…
-
Announcing the Retirement of Longtime CEO Sharon Harmon
Sharon Harmon, president and CEO of Oregon Humane Society, is retiring after 36 years of leading the largest animal welfare organization in the Northwest. Harmon has built this independent, nonprofit organization into a national leader in animal sheltering and welfare, significantly expanding its services, facilities and impact. She is nationally recognized for developing innovative programs…
-
Pet Safety: What you need to know about the H5N1 Virus
As reports of avian flu (H5N1) have emerged across the nation and right here in Oregon, many pet owners have wondered if there is a concern for their pets’ safety. Oregon Humane Society’s Chief Medical Officer Steve Kochis has been in communication with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to ensure we have all the up-to-date…
-
LA Wildfires Disaster Response
Feb. 3 Update: More than 100 animals arrive from Los Angeles At the tail end of January, OHS coordinated our third and largest transfer from shelters affected by the LA fires. This special rescue flight was made possible through partnerships with Greater Good Charities and Southwest Airlines. More than 100 cats and dogs from LA…
-
Friends Forever: A Look Back at 2024
In 2024, 19 pets—including 16 cats and three dogs—were placed in new, loving homes thanks to the Friends Forever™ program at Oregon Humane Society. So many special bonds were fortified when these precious animals were given the gift of a planned future. Five of these cats belonged to longtime OHS volunteer Joanne Hodgdon. When Joanne needed…
-
Our Favorite Adoptions of 2024
Finding homes for pets is one of the most important things we do at Oregon Humane Society. Although we facillitate more than 11,000 adoptions per year, each time an animal leaves our shelter for a new, loving home is a special moment for us. So many adoptions made 2024 memorable, but there were some that…
-
Bonding Together for the Love of Animals
Eager to introduce more accessibility to the youth volunteer program, Monica Nash, OHS Volunteer Engagement Manager, created a unique solution called Partner Pairs. This program enables youth volunteers who need special accommodations to volunteer alongside a trusted parent or guardian. These junior animal enthusiasts spend their volunteer time interacting with and learning about animals in…
