Oregon Humane Society helps the state protect animals

(SEPTEMBER 26, 2018) The Oregon Humane Society is an animal shelter in Portland. Thomas Lamb Eliot started the organization in 1868. In those days, people rode horses and used them to pull wagons. People made the animals work very hard. Eliot saw the beating of a horse and decided that he must do something. So he created the Oregon Humane Society to keep animals safe.

Today, the Oregon Humane Society helps to find homes for dogs, cats, and other kinds of animals, including animals that lose their homes in natural disasters, such as hurricanes. The Oregon Humane Society also works with the state to pass laws that protect animals against cruelty. (Something cruel is very unkind or causes harm.) "Since its inception in 1868, OHS has been putting pressure on legislators to make sure that the most vulnerable members of society are adequately protected," according to an article in the animal shelter's newsletter. "OHS has been successful in authoring and sponsoring dozens of bills to protect animals and is now a respected voice in Oregon's legal community."

Here are some ways the Oregon Humane Society has helped animals through laws:

1884 - Oregon passes its first rules about animal cruelty

1921 - A new law requires Oregon schools to teach children about the humane (kind) treatment of animals.

1959 - A new law starts $500 fine for anybody who abandons (leaves) a dog, cat or other domestic (home) animal.

1995 - Animal abuse (violent or cruel treatment) is now a felony (a very serious crime).

2013 - The state says animals should be cared for in ways that minimize (lowers) pain, stress, fear and suffering. The state also increases punishments for animal neglect (not taking care of an animal).

2017 - A new state law says people can rescue (save) animals from cars in hot temperatures. This is because it is very dangerous for animals to be in cars in hot weather; they can easily die.