Foster a Pet Day

Multnomah County Proclaims June 17, 2026 as "Foster a Pet Day" to Celebrate Lifesaving Regional Network of Volunteers

Multnomah County, OR — In recognition of National Foster a Pet Month, Multnomah County has officially issued a Proclamation declaring June 17, 2026, as Foster a Pet Day. Sponsored by Julia Brim-Edwards, Multnomah County District 3 Commissioner, the proclamation pulls back the curtain on a vital community care network operating 365 days a year to protect vulnerable pets across the region.

Read the Official Foster a Pet Day Proclamation

See the proclamation ceremony group photo

Watch a video of the proclamation ceremony

“Foster a Pet Day is an opportunity to recognize the dedicated volunteers and animal welfare organizations that give pets a second chance," said Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards. "By opening their homes and hearts to animals in need, foster volunteers help vulnerable pets heal, ease pressure on our shelters, and create more opportunities for successful adoption.”

"Fostering a pet isn't just a compassionate act; it is a frontline strategy for modern public health and animal welfare," stated Erin Grahek, Multnomah County Animal Services Director. "It directly addresses the physical and emotional needs of vulnerable animals in crisis."

Join the Fostering Effort

The community is warmly invited to join the regional network of foster volunteers serving the animals of the community, or to learn more about this vital, beneficial service. By opening your heart and home, you can change an animal’s life, and find belonging in a diverse, supportive community of volunteers committed to a shared, lifesaving purpose.

Many regional shelters, rescues, and their volunteers were present for the official Foster a Pet Day Proclamation reading and signing ceremony. We welcome your support!

Learn about fostering with regional animal welfare organizations

• Cat Adoption Team
• Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue
• Northwest Animal Companions
• One Tail at a Time PDX
• Oregon Humane
• Project POOCH
• Rabbit Advocates
• Multnomah County Animal Services

Why Pet Fostering Matters

The Proclamation celebrates volunteers at regional animal shelters and rescues, who provide essential support that transforms animal welfare by:

• Caring for the young, sick, injured, or vulnerable: Fostering provides individualized care for animals with different challenges and needs, changing and saving lives.
• Improving Adoption Success: Caring for animals away from the stress of a shelter kennel provides deep insight into their true behaviors and needs, helping successfully match them with permanent adopters.
• Preventing Overcrowding: Fostering builds sustainable capacity for regional shelters and rescues to effectively serve the community.
• Enhancing Human and Animal Well-being: The experience is mutually beneficial; it reduces feelings of loneliness or isolation, promotes physical activity, and boosts positive mental and emotional health.
• Increasing Accessibility: Fostering offers immediate opportunities to care for others with significantly more flexibility than traditional pet ownership or rigid volunteer shifts.

“We are fortunate to live in a community that recognizes the importance of pet fostering,” says Eleena Fikhman, Senior Director of Operations, Oregon Humane. “At any given time, Oregon Humane foster volunteers are working tirelessly to save lives and care for the most vulnerable pets in our area.”

Deepest Gratitude to Foster Volunteers

Multnomah County and its regional partners extend their profound thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who open their homes to animals in need. The collective impact of these individuals contributes to positive animal outcomes and higher live-release rates across the entire community.

Whether spending long, quiet nights bottle-feeding newborn puppies and kittens, or patiently nursing a sick, injured, or deeply stressed animal back to emotional and physical health, these volunteers provide a selfless service that makes a monumental difference.

“We have been honored to work with MCAS staff over the last 13 years to help many community animals find happy futures,” says Joy Laudahl, Founder of Harmony New Beginnings Animal Rescue. “From sheep, pigs, many roosters, bunnies, cats and dogs, we have seen the staff’s commitment to the animals. It is an honor to be one of the trusted foster rescues. Together we save the lives of the voiceless!”

“One Tail at a Time (OTAT) would not exist if it were not for our fosters,” says Adyn Wood, OTAT Program & Adoption Center Manager. “I am constantly in awe at the generosity of our foster community. Having come from a shelter background, I have seen firsthand what a loving foster home can do, and the difference it can make in the life of a dog awaiting their forever home.  It is invaluable.”

Thank you for fostering, or for learning more about foster volunteering!