Posted Nov 18, 2022
By Kim Phan
Staff Reporter
The Multnomah County Animal Shelter, located on 1700 W. Historic Columbia River Hwy in Troutdale, is one of the only shelters in the area not to turn away stray animals, no matter their condition or temperament.
MCAS accepts many different types of animals, even those as unusual as potbelly pigs, goats, or giant farm pigs. The animal shelter is partnered with multiple animal agencies around Oregon, even farm property owners, which ensures that animals who come in are transferred to the most fitting facilities.
Other animal shelters can pick and choose which animals are allowed to come into their shelter. However, MCAS has no choice but to accept any kind of animals that come in. Multnomah County Animal Shelter can only take what comes to them. They promise to safeguard the well being, safety, and health of everyone living in Multnomah County, including both people and their pets. They participate in numerous animal rights organizations, including the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland. It is an alliance of the biggest animal protection groups in the Portland Metropolitan Area, which spans four counties. The coalition promises to put an end to the killing of treatable, healthy, and social cats and dogs in nearby animal shelters. They support initiatives for outreach and education as well as humane substitutes for feral cats. MCAS is the county’s only animal care provider and shelter that cares for lost, endangered, homeless, injured, sick, and abandoned animals.
MCAS is also quite popular for volunteer services. All volunteers are welcome, so if anyone is interested in accumulating volunteer hours, or is simply just a lover of all animals, then this place has all the options. Due to COVID, adoption services are not available in person but instead available online. On the website, visitors can see the various animals up for adoption, although adoptions are still limited to the virtual process.
The animal shelter prioritizes the safety and well being of all animals in the shelter by making sure they have a designated area to adjust before being transferred to other areas to acclimate. They have a special area called the "intake shelter" where animals will first be examined and separated for any health issues. If some have any issues, more attention will be paid and they may be isolated and treated in the meantime. Common diseases can occur in any animal shelter, including kennel cough, which can be easily treated or prevented by their in-house medical team. The medical team has a surgery suite that performs medical treatment on animals or houses those who need immediate attention. There’s even a special area where dangerous dogs are kept in order to ensure the safety of the other animals around them.
“Stress can create a weakened immune system for animals,” MCAS Volunteer Coordinator Colleen O'Toole said. “It’s a common thing that an animal can come down with.”
The shelter also ensures that bonded cat siblings are housed together in one unit. They have created three separate rooms with many types of cat toys and a space where they can feel familiar and safe. The shelter wants to make sure that those animals will go to the same home together when their siblings get adopted. This is primarily the reason why cats and dogs, and even those of the same species, must be separated by their intake rooms if new to the shelter. The shelter puts an incredible amount of effort to benefit an animal’s mental health.
While walking through the animal enclosures, visitors and volunteers will see cages covered by a unique, handsewn fabric. This is meant to ensure privacy for animals and give them their own space. Animals, like humans, deserve their own space and privacy. Music is also played for most animals to replicate the sense of others and to improve their social skills. Cats also listen to audio books, joined with disco lights so they will have things to watch or something to occupy their time.
“Giving them a place where they feel safer is really important,” O'Toole said.
On the MCAS website, visitors can read brief stories of animals that have recently been adopted. It displays humility and passion towards the animals they foster or have been adopted. People can sign up to foster animals online. If they aren’t able to bond with the animal, the foster animals can be brought back to the shelter, no questions asked. So, obviously those who are willing to foster would obviously have a lot of choice in the matter.
Multnomah County Animal Services also has a call center: (503) 988-7387 for lost pets wandering around, stray livestock, aggressive animals, or injured stray animals. There are also resources on the shleter’s official website that indicate the exact steps that should taken if a stray animal is found.
There are two ways to support the shelter. Wishlist donations are welcome and volunteer members are highly encouraged as well. Volunteers are essential to providing the care needed to all shelter animals. Currently, MCAS is only accepting volunteers who are at least 18 years old. Soon, the list for eligible volunteers will be open for for 16 and up. Volunteer help with customer service, washing dishes, laundry, and supporting other administrative tasks. They also walk dogs and give them treats. Those who are not afraid to get dirty and are interested in connecting with animals should take advantage of this chance.