Oregon Humane Society

Stated Purpose:
The mission of Oregon Humane Society is to foster an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals through education, legislation, and leadership. To care for the homeless, to defend the abused, and to fight with unrelenting diligence for recognition of the integrity of all animals.

Year, State Incorporated:
1868, OR

Also Known As:
Humane Society Of Oregon Oregon Humane The Oregon Humane Society Oregon Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Portland Humane Society, SPCA The Oregon SPCA

OHS is the largest humane society in the Northwest and adopts more animals from its Portland shelter than any other single-facility shelter on the West Coast. OHS puts no time limits on how long animals remain at the shelter—a pet stays available for adoption for as long as needed to find a loving home. If a pet in the care of OHS needs medical attention, the OHS veterinary hospital provides the pet with same level of care you would want your own pet to receive. OHS is located in NE Portland, with a state-of-the-art animal shelter, veterinary hospital, and behavior facility. The current 46,000 sq. foot shelter opened in 2000 and can care for 92 small animals, 120 cats and 120 dogs. The shelter features outdoor exercise areas and an extensive dog path through a wooded wetland. 

Sheltering and Adoptions – The Oregon Humane Society continues to maintain one of the highest save rates in the country – 11,712 total adoptions for 2019.  The animals that found new homes constitute an overall 98% save rate.  Through the Second Chance Program, the Society saves more lives by accepting animals from shelters and animal control agencies across Oregon, California, Washington, Texas, Hawaii, and Louisiana.  These shelters usually face the dual problem of too many abandoned animals and too few adopters.  In 2019, 7,834 animals were accepted from 75 organizations.

Low and No-Cost Spay & Neuter Services: The Spay & Save program offers low and no-cost spay/neuter surgeries for cats owned by low-income residents in the greater Portland metropolitan area. Spay & Save’s focus at present is on altering cats, as this is the greatest area of need in the community. 

OHS Humane Education: OHS Humane Educators provide a variety of opportunities for school-aged youth to learn about humane treatment of animals.
- Classroom presentations (Grades K-12): OHS Humane Educators can visit your school, often with a canine work partner, and give a short presentation to students.
- After-school clubs: (Grades 3-8): Clubs at OHS are a popular activity for youths looking to spend time helping at the shelter.
- Tours & field trips: (Ages five and up): Educational tours of the shelter are available for small groups of youths or adults.
- Summer camp: OHS offers educational day camps for youths during the summer months. Eligible campers are grades 3-7; counselors must be grades 8-12.
- Poster & Story Contest (Grades 1-12): This annual contest offers students a chance to share their drawing and writing skills as well as their love for pets.

Investigations and Rescue: The Society has three Humane Special Agents who are commissioned by the Superintendent of State Police to enforce Oregon’s tough animal cruelty laws.  The Society has officers in the field seven days a week, handling a variety of animal welfare complaints.  In 2019, they traveled across Oregon to investigate 239 new cases of animal cruelty, leading to 115 animals being seized or removed from harm’s way and 4 criminal cases.  They also assisted law enforcement agencies and veterinary forensic services 80 times.  There were 2,648 calls and e-mail messages to the Society’s cruelty complaint line and web site.  The Society’s goal is to save lives and enhance the relationship between people and their pets, while ensuring that the roughly two million pets in the region are protected from abuse or neglect.

Emergency Animal Rescue (OHSTAR): Contact the OHS Technical Animal Rescue Team (OHSTAR) when your pet is trapped or stranded and needs help to survive. OHSTAR members with animal first-aid and rescue training are available to respond to animal rescue situations that require technical skills in the Portland metropolitan area and adjoining counties. For animal emergencies needing cliff rescue, water rescue, and other urgent situations, OHSTAR responds directly to the incident site. OHSTAR members with animal first-aid and rescue training are available to respond to animal rescue situations that require technical skills in the Portland metropolitan area and adjoining counties. For animal emergencies needing cliff rescue, water rescue, and other urgent situations, OHSTAR responds directly to the incident site. Trained OHSTAR volunteers perform these types of rescues:
- Evacuating injured pets from wilderness areas.
- Retrieving pets stranded on cliff sides, river banks, and other areas and structures that can only be accessed safely using ropes, climbing equipment and other technical rescue equipment.
- Extricating animals trapped in enclosed spaces whose lives are in danger.

Behavior and Training: OHS offered 207 public training classes and 1,557 people attended Oregon Humane Society classes and consultations. 22 dogs and 42 cats were helped through the Behavior Modification Program. OHS offers a free behavior help line and 2,023 phone calls and emails were handled by the team.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT): AAT provides medical and emotional benefits to patients through teams of trained animals and their human partners.  The Society’s AAT school prepares individuals and their animals to take the national AAT evaluation exam.  There were 144 people who attended AAT classes and 89 people and their dogs were evaluated to be Pet Partners.

Pet Memorials: OHS offers several options for a final resting place for your pet:
- Animal Cemetery and Mausoleum: If you prefer not to have your pet cremated, the OHS Animal Mausoleum provides above-ground placement options. You may provide a coffin, favorite blanket or receptacle of your choice. Many people also choose to include a special toy, bowl, or photo. We require a minimum of three days to prepare for an interment. The Mausoleum has single or double interment options. Fees start at $850. A Mausoleum service includes euthanasia, crypt choice, interment, flower vase, and plaque.
- Euthanasia and General Cremations: When it is time to have your pet euthanized, OHS suggests you use your regular veterinarian. However, if you do choose OHS’ euthanasia service (fees vary), their licensed technicians use the same painless procedure as a veterinarian. Generally, all animals euthanized at the shelter are cremated, but we can accommodate other arrangements if notified ahead of time. OHS knows this is a difficult time for pet lovers, and you can be assured that you and your pet will be treated with dignity and respect. Fees range from $40 to $200, depending on the animal’s weight.
- Private Cremations: Private cremations are scheduled as soon as possible, but may take up to two weeks, depending on the number of other requests at the time. If you decide to have your pet’s remains returned, we will provide an urn, but you are welcome to furnish a receptacle of your own. Fees range from $100 to $250, depending on the animal’s weight.
- Columbarium: You may wish to have your pet’s cremated remains placed in our columbarium. Columbarium spaces can accommodate up to three pets. Placement in the columbarium includes euthanasia, urn placement, plaque, and flower vase. Cremation fees are not included with this service. Fee: $850.
- Pet Cemetery: The OHS animal cemetery and memorial grounds offer a tranquil place for quiet reflection. You are welcome to visit any time during normal shelter operating hours.

Best Friends' Corner (BFC): This OHS store offer everything your pet needs—from food to bedding, toys and more—as well as gifts for the animal lover in your life. All store items are competitively priced. They also feature many products, such as pet collars and pet furniture, that are made locally and from recycled materials. 100% of store proceeds go to help animals at OHS and members of OHS get a 10% store discount.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, Oregon Humane Society's program expenses were:

Sheltering and adoptions	$6,433,205
Medical services	$2,848,809
Community awareness	$1,476,206
Investigations and rescue	$994,927
Behavior, training, and animal-assisted interactions	$831,976
Volunteers	$375,676
Best Friends’ Corner	$316,400
Humane education	$314,653
ASAP/Spay & Save	$250,936
Total Program Expenses	$13,842,788

Chief Executive
Sharon Harmon, President/Executive Director

Compensation*
$0

Chair of the Board
Mr. Dave S Hansen, SVP, Columbia/Willamette Market Region

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Columbia State Bank

Board Size
22

Paid Staff Size
170

Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Television, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.), Solicitations for Used Cars

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 13.91%

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on Oregon Humane Society's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Source of Funds

Grants and contributions	$7,917,359
Legacies and bequests	$7,325,211
Sales and program fees, less cost of sales of $407,944	$3,477,441
Operating investment return	$2,898,856
Contributions restricted for capital purposes	$2,412,871
Endowment and board-designated investment return, less appropriations for expenditure	$2,288,428
Special events, less direct costs of $601,629	$1,248,349
Appropriation of endowment and Board-designated assets for expenditure	$628,566
Rental income	$382,352
Change in the value of the Society's beneficial interest in charitable trusts	$183,215
Other	$89,827
Change in the actuarial value of liabilities under split-interest agreements	$-21,136
Total Income	$28,831,339

Programs: 75% Fundraising: 14% Administrative: 11%

Total Income	$28,831,339
Total expenses:	$18,538,899
Program expenses	$13,842,788
Fundraising expenses	$2,628,698
Administrative expenses	$2,067,413
Other expenses	$0
Income in Excess of Expenses	$10,292,440
Beginning Net Assets	$71,151,806
Other Changes In Net Assets	$0
Ending Net Assets	$81,444,246
Total Liabilities	$3,012,034
Total Assets	$84,456,280