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 for Portland

In 2024, Animal Aid cared for 130 cats and dogs through our rescue program, provided over $26,000 in financial aid for urgent medical or behavioral care to 52 animals through our Animal Aid Cares Fund, and shared more than 6,000 lbs. of food and a wide variety of animal care supplies with our 16 Pack partners. In 2024 we were awarded a grant to coordinate filling 100 backpacks with human and pet supplies to also share with Pack partners.

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

“I’ve always loved working with the great folks at Animal Aid. The passion they bring to everything they do is inspiring and heartwarming. I’ve hosted several fundraising events for them, and the audience they draw is SO IN LOVE with their animals and the programs and services offered by Animal Aid, the energy in the room is palpable! As one who has loved and lost pets over the years, it's so comforting to know Animal Aid is here for our community to help us through the tough times and to celebrate the good!” - Poison Waters

Incentives

Saturday 11/1 Incentive: Support Animal Aid and local businesses! The first 10 people to donate $50 or more, get a randomly selected $25 gift card to one of the following locations: Bye n Bye, Mud Bay, John’s Marketplace, Meat for Cats & Dogs, Hinterland coffee, Laughing Planet, Likely Ivy, East Borough, New Season’s and Trader Joe’s.

Thursday 11/13 Incentive: Not only is this a Big Give Day, it's a chance for you to win a $150 gift card to Alisha at Dire Wolf Tattoo. Anyone who donates $10 or more, gets entered to win and each $10 donation for the day counts as an entry. Donate $20 - get 2 entries to win. Donate $50 - get 5 entries to win. 

Tuesday 11/25: This Big Give Day is your chance to win a Custom Pet Portrait by local artist Alisha Fuzi, the 8.5x11 portrait is valued at $900. Anyone who donates $25 or more, gets entered to win and each $25 donation for the day counts as an entry; donate $50 - get 2 entries to win; donate $100 - get 4 entries to win. 

Friday 11/28 Incentive: It's Black Friday and anyone who donates today gets an Animal Aid alumni sticker. Don't miss our adoptable black animals that are being featured today as well!

Monday 12/29 Incentive: Anyone who donates between 9am-12pm today gets entered to win a raffle 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.

Partner(s)

Poison Waters will be hosting Drag Queen Bingo for Animal Aid and Project POOCH on Wednesday November 19th 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!

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!