MCAS is thrilled to announce that we recently received a $71,500 donation from The Friends of the Shelter, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for MCAS. In the past, The Friends have donated funds to us for the construction of our cattery and hospital area. The most current donation will be used for four purposes:

1. Purchase a Ford Transit Connect to be used for the purpose of transporting animals to adoption partners and outreach events throughout the Portland metro area. The van will be wrapped with eye-catching graphics to help make MCAS more visible in the community. ($19,000)
2. Complete our outdoor dog exercise park. This will be a place for staff and volunteers to walk, exercise, socialize and train shelter dogs. The final step of the project is to complete a 900-foot, all-weather walkway to make the park usable year-round. The high level of behavior enrichment activities at MCAS contributes to our success in finding homes for shelter dogs and increasing our live release rate. ($12,000)
3. Fund more cat spay and neuter surgeries for low income cat owners. MCAS is proud to be a founding member of the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP). ASAP’s goal is to spay and neuter 10,000 cats a year between 2010-2015. Spay and neuter programs are recognized as one of the most effective prevention programs to reduce shelter intake and save more lives. The Friends have generously donated $25,000 to MCAS to fund additional spay/neuter surgeries. ($25,000)
4. Purchase equipment for a community spay/neuter partnership project. Spay and neuter programs are highly effective at reducing the population of unwanted animals in a community and increasing shelter live release rates. A significant challenge in difficult economic times is providing veterinary care for low income and homeless pet owners. This past year, MCAS collaborated with Dove Lewis Emergency Animal Hospital and the Portland Animal Welfare Team (PAW Team) to provide subsidized spay/neuter surgeries for dogs and cats owned by low income pet owners. We are in discussions with the Paw Team on a proposal to establish a spay/neuter location in Portland. The Friends have donated $15,500 to MCAS to purchase a surgery table, three portable surgery lights and two gas anesthesia machine for the project. ($15,500)