The Humane Society of Central Oregon is at a breaking point. After rescuing 79 neglected dogs from just two cruelty cases, the shelter is now over 200% capacity, forced to halt owner surrenders and stretch every available resource to care for animals in crisis.

But this isn’t just a Bend problem, it’s a growing statewide issue. Oregon’s animal shelters are often the first responders in abuse and hoarding cases, yet they’re expected to manage massive, unpredictable surges in intake without dedicated emergency support from the state.

This is unacceptable.

We’re calling on the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Governor Tina Kotek to:

• Establish an Emergency Animal Shelter Response Fund to support shelters during cruelty case surges
• Create a statewide rapid-response foster and volunteer network to deploy during declared capacity emergencies
• Offer logistical and veterinary aid to shelters facing more than 150% of capacity due to court-ordered seizures

Local shelters shouldn’t be left scrambling for donations and volunteers while fulfilling contracts to care for seized animals under legal hold. They need a safety net.

Let’s give our animal shelters the tools to keep saving lives—without burning out their staff or shutting their doors to others in need.

Sign now to demand emergency support for Oregon shelters in crisis.