Animal welfare nonprofits do more than just rescue and rehome pets. They provide essential services like medical care, food assistance, and education to ensure animals are cared for and loved.
Whether you’re looking to adopt, donate, or volunteer, supporting these organizations can make a real impact on your local community. Here are six incredible pet nonprofits in Portland and how you can get involved.
1. Oregon Humane Society
With campuses in Portland and Salem, the Oregon Humane Society (OHS) has been a leader in animal welfare for over 150 years. They offer adoption services, education programs, and humane law enforcement while also operating a Community Veterinary Hospital to provide affordable pet care. Their Paw It Forward program helps fund medical services for families who might not otherwise afford them, ensuring pets stay in loving homes instead of being surrendered due to financial hardship.
How to Get Involved:
- Donate to help fund their adoption and veterinary programs.
- Volunteer at shelters or adoption events.
- Attend events like the annual Doggy Dash Portland fundraiser.
- Partner with OHS as a business or community sponsor.
2. New Life Asher House
Located on 140 acres in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, New Life Asher House provides a sanctuary for dogs and farm animals. Their Portland-based adoption center helps match rescue dogs with loving families, ensuring each pet finds the right home. The organization is dedicated to providing long-term care to animals that may otherwise be left behind.
How to Get Involved:
- Adopt a dog from their Portland adoption center.
- Donate to help fund rescue efforts.
- Shop their merchandise to support the sanctuary financially.
3. The Pixie Project
More than just an adoption center, The Pixie Project offers low-cost and free veterinary services to low-income pet owners. They focus on matching pets with families to ensure long-term success and provide essential medical care to prevent unnecessary surrenders. Their efforts help keep pets in their homes and reduce the number of animals in shelters.
How to Get Involved:
- Foster an animal to provide temporary care.
- Donate to fund medical services and adoptions.
- Volunteer to assist with pet care or administrative work.
- Shop their wish list to provide needed supplies.
4. Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
Serving Oregon and Southwest Washington, the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon (FCCO) specializes in spay/neuter programs for feral and stray cats. Since 1995, they’ve helped more than 140,000 cats through their trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts, reducing overpopulation and improving the welfare of outdoor cats. Their services are donation-based, ensuring anyone can access them regardless of financial situation.
How to Get Involved:
- Volunteer to assist with TNR programs.
- Donate to support veterinary services.
- Attend fundraising events to spread awareness.
- Join their MEW program (Monthly Electronic Withdrawal) to contribute regularly.
5. Portland Dachshund Rescue
Portland Dachshund Rescue is a foster-based rescue dedicated to rehoming dachshunds in Portland and the surrounding areas, including Washington, Idaho, and California. Their team provides specialized care, recognizes the breed’s unique needs, and works to connect adoptable dachshunds with loving homes. As a 501(c)(3) no-kill nonprofit, they rely on community support to continue their mission.
How to Get Involved:
- Foster a dachshund in need of temporary care.
- Volunteer to support rescue efforts.
- Adopt and give a dachshund a forever home.
- Donate to help cover medical and rehoming costs.
- Support their events, shop merch, or join training classes.
6. One Tail at a Time PDX (OTAT PDX)
Focused on companion animal rescue, One Tail at a Time PDX operates an adoption center in Portland where families can meet and adopt pets. They provide individualized care, ensuring animals find the right homes. Their organization is largely volunteer-run and relies on community support.
How to Get Involved:
- Foster animals to help with temporary care.
- Volunteer at their adoption center.
- Donate to fund medical care and rescue efforts.
Making a Difference, One Pet at a Time
These nonprofits are doing incredible work to improve the lives of animals and pet owners in Portland. Whether you choose to donate, foster, volunteer, or simply spread the word, every effort helps keep pets safe, healthy, and loved. Even small actions—like sharing a nonprofit’s mission on social media or attending a fundraising event—can create lasting change.
Looking to get involved? Reach out to one of these organizations and start making a difference today!
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