This weekend, five local animal shelters are banding together to host Adopt ASAP, a large-scale pet adoption event to ease the pressures on animal welfare organizations. According to an article from Washington County Animal Services, the event starts on Friday and runs through Sunday. Organizations including the Cat Adoption Team, Humane Society for Southwest Washington, Multnomah County Animal Services, Oregon Humane Society, and Washington County Animal Services are slashing adoption fees by 75% or more in hopes of finding homes for a large number of pets quickly.
The shelters have united under the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP), a group committed to enhancing the lives of shelter animals by significantly reducing euthanasia rates and improving life outcomes through cooperative initiatives. "This event is about more than just finding homes for the pets in our care," Sharon Harmon, President and CEO of Oregon Humane Society, told Washington County Animal Services. "It’s about working together as a community to make sure that every animal has the chance to thrive."
Adopt ASAP comes at a crucial time. The shelters highlight the increased stay periods for larger dogs and a boom in kittens and cats caused by spay/neuter surgery backlogs resulting from the pandemic. With adoption, the community doesn't merely gain a new companion; it helps to effectively reduce the overall burden on the area’s animal welfare system. Erin Grahek, Division Director at Multnomah County Animal Services, expressed her gratitude, stating, "We’re grateful to our ASAP partners and the community of animal supporters for the positive difference they make," in an interview with Washington County Animal Services.
The community can also support these shelters by fostering pets in need, donating to spay/neuter programs, or simply spaying and neutering personal pets. "Adopt ASAP is a critical effort to help pets across our community," Andrea Bruno, President of Humane Society for Southwest Washington, explained to Washington County Animal Services. "By adopting during this event, people aren’t just helping one shelter—they’re easing strain on the entire animal welfare system.”
Each participating shelter offers varied adoption fees, and potential adopters are encouraged to visit their websites for more details. Adoption support doesn't instantly end with the adoption; shelters like the Oregon Humane Society offer behavioral resources and a post-adoption helpline, whereas Cat Adoption Team and Multnomah County Animal Services provide specialized support services to help ensure that pet adoptions turn into lasting and positive relationships between pets and their new families. For more information on the adoption event, interested individuals can check out the links to the respective shelters for details on available animals and the adoption process.
