Animal Aid

Mission

Animal Aid of Portland enhances the welfare of companion animals through individualized care and lifelong commitment, rescue and adoption, resources and education, and community partnerships.

We operate a free-roam shelter for cats; a foster program for dogs and cats; It Takes a Pack, a community-driven supply sharing program; and the Animal Aid Cares Fund, a partnership with local veterinarians, behaviorists, and trainers to offer funding for urgent medical or behavioral care.

We specialize in assisting animals who may be struggling in larger shelters, as well as Heartstrings Pets: These may be senior animals, animals needing significant medical or behavioral care, or shy animals requiring extra reassurance and time. We commit to the animals we rescue for life, including post-adoption support and a lifelong return policy.

Bottom Line

In 2025, Animal Aid cared for 191 cats and dogs through our rescue program and provided more than $32,000 in financial assistance for urgent medical and behavioral care to 43 animals through our Animal Aid Cares Fund and grant program.

Through our It Takes a Pack program, we also distributed more than 5,000 pounds of dog food, along with countless other essential supplies, to our 11 community partners, directly supporting neighbors and their pets in need.

Beyond the numbers, the impact that we make in our community is our focus on helping animals who have more extensive medical or behavioral conditions and thus fewer rescue options. Typically, about a third of our annual rescue intakes are these types of animals, whom we refer to as Heartstrings Pets. By devoting extra time, care, and resources to them, we aim to save a life that might otherwise be lost, help bring together a new family when that animal is adopted and contribute to building a more compassionate community for both pets and people in Portland.

Quote

 “ Just wanted to take a moment to share how much we appreciate everything you do for us. Through all your donations over the last few years have touched so many lives and made so many pets happy. You are one of the brightest lights here at Street Roots. Thank you from the bottom of all our hearts.”  - James Duby Street Roots

Incentives

Sunday, 11-1 Incentive: Give!Guide Kickoff!

The 25th Donor who gives $25 or more on the first day will receive a $200 Next Adventure gift card

Friday, 11-27 Incentive: It's Black Friday and anyone who donates today gets an Animal Aid sticker pack! Don't miss our adoptable black animals that are being featured today as well!

Tuesday, 12-1 Incentive: Giving Tuesday
It’s Giving Tuesday, and your generosity can go a little further! The 25th donor who gives $10 or more today will receive a $50 gift card to Bar June. Plus, this is a special match day, so your gift will help us make an even bigger impact for animals in our community.

Wednesday, 12-9 Incentive: Big Art Day

The 25th person to donate $10 or more will win a tufting experience for two at Fuzzy Space valued at $250! Create your own work of art and bring a friend!

Thursday, 12-17 Incentive: Big Groceries Day

The 10th donor age 35 or under will receive a basket of goodies from our friends at Nectar Markets . It’s a little thank-you for helping us grow the next generation of Animal Aid supporters! Be sure to mark that you are 35 or under!

Monday, 12-28 Incentive: Anyone who donates between 9am-12pm today gets entered to win a basket including Animal Aid zip-up hoodie, swag, and treats to delight your furry friends. The basket is valued over $100 and ready for pick up at the shelter in the new year.

Gift Matching

11-1: All donations up to $1000 will be matched!

11-24: All donations up to $1500 will be matched for Big Restaurant Day!

12-1: All donations up to $3000 will be matched for Giving Tuesday!

12-30: All donations to $2000 will be matched, the last push to the finish line!

Partner(s)

Poison Waters will be hosting Drag Queen Bingo for Animal Aid and Project POOCH on Tuesday, November 17th at Brooklyn Carreta.

Brooklyn Carreta: A vibrant food cart, bar, and space in SE Portland, Brooklyn Carreta is generously hosting our Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser for free and may even create custom drinks to support the event, donating a portion of proceeds that night.

Poison Waters: Warm and welcoming, quick-witted and savvy, Poison Waters is not just a personality, she is an experience you'll not soon forget! Poison is Portland's Drag Queen!

Project POOCH: Project POOCH provides opportunities for youth in corrections to develop the personal and vocational skills needed to become responsible and productive members within their current environment and upon rejoining their community. Project POOCH youth are paired with dogs to learn kennel management, positive reinforcement, grooming, and training techniques.

We!Shine: WeShine designs, builds, and operates neighborhood-based micro-villages that provide safe, transitional shelter with wrap-around services for Portland’s underserved, unsheltered adults as they prepare to become successful tenants in permanent, affordable housing. We!Shine is part of Animal Aid's It Takes A Pack program, helping to keep pets with their families! 

The Pongo Fund: The Pongo Fund is Oregon’s only full-time charity focused on fighting animal hunger. The Pet Food Bank is the heart and soul of The Pongo Fund. A no frills warehouse packed with thousands of bags of nutritious dog and cat food.

Next Adventure: Next Adventure is a locally owned Portland outdoor retailer founded in 1997, built around a love of adventure and making the outdoors accessible to everyone. After previously announcing plans to close, Next Adventure is staying open and continuing its commitment to the Portland community. They gifted us a $200 gift card for donors over $25 on the first day of Give!Guide.

Nectar Markets: Nectar is a Portland-based cannabis retailer dedicated to quality products, local community, and creating welcoming spaces for everyone. We’re grateful for their gift basket, which is an incentive to donors 35 and under this year.

Fuzzy Space: Fuzzy Space is a creative tufting studio in Northeast Portland, born from a love of making art and turning ideas into one-of-a-kind rugs. Offering hands-on tufting classes and custom creations, Fuzzy Space invites the community to explore their creativity and make something uniquely their own.  We’re so thankful to Fuzzy Space for donating a tufting experience for two!