No Fee Adoptions
Event Summary
Adopt a pet from Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) without paying an adoption fee. MCAS has waived adoption fees for all animals through the end of July.
- Adoption fees are waived for all animals.
- Adoptions are limited to the online process, and in-person adoptions or visits to the shelter are not currently available.
- Adopters in Multnomah County will be asked to pay required license-fees for dogs and cats at the time of adoption. Non-Multnomah County residents are also eligible to adopt, and will not be required to pay license fees.
Details
- What: No-Fee Adoptions
- When: From Sunday, June 19 - July 31, 2022. This no-fee adoption promotion may be extended.
- Where: Online adoptions only. Adoptions are not being held in-person, on site.
- Cost: Adoption fees are waived. However, Multnomah County residents will pay required license fees for dogs and cats.
- Why: The summer months are the busiest for MCAS, and the shelter population increases. Adoption fees are waived in order to incentivize adoption, and send eligible pets to new homes as soon as possible.
- What to bring: Please bring carriers, leashes, collars, and other required supplies to your set pickup time at MCAS.
Waiving Adoption Fees is Effective and Saves Lives
Waiving adoption fees as a practice is supported by multiple Animal Welfare industry leaders, including Maddie’s Fund, The Humane Society of the United States - Adopter’s Welcome Program, Best Friends, and the ASPCA. Waiving adoption fees provides an extra incentive to adopt, can reduce an animal’s length of stay in the shelter, and save lives.
Loved the Same
Research by the ASPCA indicates that waiving adoption fees doesn’t diminish the value of adopted animals in the eyes of their new owners, and doesn’t reduce attachment. Animals adopted without fees receive the same amount of veterinary care and love as other adopted animals.
Adoption Counseling Process
During a waived-fee adoption, adoption counselors work to pair adopters with shelter animals compatible with their lifestyle in order to meet the respective needs of animals and adopters. Adopters complete applications which adoption counselors review, and they receive the same amount of counseling and resources as other adoptions to help them succeed.
Adoption Returns Don’t Increase
Waiving adoption fees does not result in significantly higher adoption return rates overall. This is reflected in national studies, and in MCAS shelter data which includes a recent adoption event on June 4-5 (shown below).
|
Month and Year |
Adoptions |
Returns |
Return Percentage |
|
January 2021 |
71 |
5 |
7.04% |
|
February 2021 |
55 |
5 |
9.09% |
|
March 2021 |
58 |
2 |
3.45% |
|
April 2021 |
69 |
6 |
8.70% |
|
May 2021 |
74 |
3 |
4.05% |
|
June 2021 |
90 |
12 |
13.33% |
|
July 2021 |
88 |
7 |
7.95% |
|
August 2021 |
99 |
14 |
14.14% |
|
September 2021 |
86 |
16 |
18.60% |
|
October 2021 |
154 |
8 |
5.19% |
|
November 2021 |
127 |
19 |
14.96% |
|
December 2021 |
108 |
12 |
11.11% |
|
January 2022 |
91 |
7 |
7.69% |
|
February 2022 |
96 |
19 |
19.79% |
|
March 2022 |
113 |
13 |
11.50% |
|
April 2022 |
108 |
20 |
18.52% |
|
May 2022 |
121 |
9 |
7.44% |
|
June 2022 (partial) |
87 |
11 |
12.64% |
|
Total |
1695 |
188 |
11.09% |
About Multnomah County Animal Services
The North Star of Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) is to provide excellence in the quality of care for animals in its shelter, and to provide equitable service to the community. MCAS is the primary agency serving found animals from all of the jurisdictions within Multnomah County, including: the cities of Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and all unincorporated areas. MCAS is responsible for enforcing Oregon animal laws pertaining to cruelty, neglect, and minimum care standards, and for enforcing Multnomah County Code Chapter 13. MCAS is a Division of the Multnomah County Department of Community Services (DCS). Learn more at multcopets.org.
