The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has taken decisive action to move forward with the replacement of the outdated Animal Services facility. In a unanimous vote yesterday, the Board signaled their intent to create a more modern space for our community’s displaced pets, according to a news release from the county. The resolution they passed authorizes further planning efforts and seeks to understand the financial requirements needed to bring the project to fruition.
Chair of the Multnomah County Board, Jessica Vega Pederson, lauded the strides Animal Services has taken in recent years, stating, "I take pride in the work Animal Services has done in the past two years to rebuild this department, increase staff, reconsider services and align their work with best practices." The upgrade seeks to not just replace but to significantly enhance the current 18,000-square-foot shelter. Today's facilities have long been the focus of critique by those who, to quite nearly speak with one voice, advocate for the wellbeing of our four-legged friends.
Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards has been instrumental in pushing the initiative, having spearheaded the budget note that established a project leadership team. "I’ve heard from many residents, community groups, and committed volunteers about the need to modernize and increase space for essential programs and housing to align with industry standards and best practices to provide quality care for our animals," Brim-Edwards told the commission, as mentioned in the news release.
The overhaul is long overdue; the shelter has not seen significant updates since its construction in 1968. A county volunteer, Diane Zhitlovsky, encapsulated the sentiments of many when she addressed the Board, "How is it possible that a vibrant, modern, progressive community that loves its cats and dogs presents such a squalid and desperate picture, when it comes to animal care?" The need to provide a sanctuary that meets today's standards, including separate areas for different species and improved medical facilities, is a shared sentiment. The planned expansion would effectively to aim double the shelter's footprint, with cost projections ranging between $55 million and $85 million, as detailed in the 2028 dollars’ estimates.
Next on the agenda is the formation of a Design Advisory Group, composed of community members and professionals tasked with shaping the new shelter's conceptual design. In July, this team is set to present a siting analysis, community engagement strategy, and funding plan for the Board's consideration. These next steps mark a clear path towards realizing a shelter transformation that has been a long time coming for the county's animals and those who care for them.
