Adoptions
The animal-human bond is at the center of everything we do at Oregon Humane Society. When we help adopters find a new family member, it’s always a special moment.
Reed
When Reed arrived at OHS, he was in rough shape. His skin was raw and irritated, and he was nervous and scared. He was found as a stray in Polk County and taken to our Salem campus. The medical staff provided the medications to heal his skin, while the animal care and volunteer teams helped Reed learn to trust.
After almost two months, Reed became much more comfortable — physically and emotionally — and found the perfect match. The day that Reed was adopted, his family took a joyous selfie of the new completed family.
Impact Stats: OHS Salem Adoptions
- Total Adoptions: 2,992
- Dogs & Puppies: 713
- Cats & Kittens: 2,279
Behavior and Rescue Center: A Lifeline for Salem Pets
The Behavior and Rescue Center was built to help pets who have no other options.
Dogs and cats with the most challenging behavior needs find safe refuge in the Behavior Modification Program at the BRC. These pets work with training and behavior specialists who develop personalized plans to get them ready for adoption. Everything about the BRC was purpose-built—designed to help these pets overcome whatever obstacles they faced. In fact, pets cared for within the comforting walls of the BRC are ready for adoption 40 percent faster than when this work was being done in the main shelter.
Koda
Koda was originally brought to our Salem campus in January 2023 when her previous owner was suffering from health issues and no longer able to care for her.
She was fearful and shut down. Despite all the love and care she received at our Salem campus, Koda was not making any progress. After three months and no adoption interest, she was transferred to the Behavior and Rescue Center for specialized care.
Koda gradually learned to trust thanks to the expertise of the behavior staff and the quiet, calm environment. She was adopted one month later and is now thriving in her new, loving home.
Making Veterinary Care Accesible
Caring for Pets in Salem
The OHS Salem Veterinary Clinic cares for thousands of shelter pets each year. This includes spay/neuter, caring for injuries, treating illness, and urgent surgeries.
But the impact of the clinic goes far beyond helping shelter pets. Pet overpopulation is a big challenge in communities throughout the mid-Willamette Valley and OHS Salem is committed to turning the tide.
Access to spay/neuter services is fundamental to combatting pet overpopulation. This is why more than half the spay/neuter surgeries at OHS Salem Veterinary Clinic are performed on owned pets, community cats, and for other rescue organizations.
Expanding Veterinary Care for Shelter Pets in Salem
OHS Salem Campus marked an important milestone on Jan. 25, 2024 with the groundbreaking of the Digital Radiology Project. This expansion of OHS Salem Veterinary Clinic will broaden the scope of diagnostic care available to our shelter animals by adding critical radiology and dentistry on-site.
Completion for this project is expected by early summer 2024.
Impact Stats: OHS Salem Veterinary Clinic
- 6,457 surgeries performed at OHS Salem Veterinary Clinic
- 2,057 spay/neuter of shelter pets
- 2,488 spay/neuter of owned pets
- 1,294 spay/neuter of community cats
- 412 spay/neuter of pets from other rescue groups
- 42 shelter pets transferred to the Portland Campus for x-rays and other diagnostics
Protecting Animals from Cruelty and Neglect
Caring for the Community in Marion County
When a pet owner is overwhelmed with too many animals, it can look like neglect. However, many of these situations start with good intentions that quickly get out of control, especially when animals are not spayed/neutered and have multiple litters.
While these are not criminal situations, OHS’ Humane Law Enforcement team is often called in to help.
This was the case in Marion County on numerous occasions in 2023. In fact, 37 percent of OHS’ Humane Law Enforcement work last year was in Marion County.
