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; 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 2021, Animal Aid assisted more than 112 animals and their families in the Portland metro area: We cared for 95 cats and dogs through our rescue program, provided over $8,000 in financial aid for urgent medical or behavioral care to 17 guardians through our Animal Aid Cares Fund, and shared more than 5,000 lb. of food and a wide variety of animal care supplies with our 16 Pack partners and local guardians.

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

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Animal Aid wants to be a part of the movement toward social justice for traditionally marginalized communities, and we recognize the need for more diverse representation within the animal welfare community. We have a lot to learn and, more importantly, a lot of action to take to help make our nonprofit, our community, and the animal welfare sector a more inclusive and diverse place. We understand that racial injustice is deeply ingrained in our society, and we recognize how we have benefited from and perpetuated a system that is responsible for countless atrocities committed and lives lost as a result. We understand that we can no longer be silent, that we can no longer let this be someone else’s issue; we understand that to effectively create change, we have to start with ourselves. Read more about the steps we are taking at animalaidpdx.org/DEIA.

Incentives

• The first 20 donors of $10 or more will receive a bottle of Original Hot Sauce from Newks!
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• Individuals who donate a total of $100 or more throughout the Give!Guide campaign* will be entered to win a one-of-a-kind matching BFF charm for you and your pet from Pigeon Heart Designs (*Hint: It can be as easy as donating $10 on each Big Give Day!).
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• Join Animal Aid and Project Pooch at Lucky Lab on Quimby on Giving Tuesday (November 29) from 6:30-8:30 PM for Drag Queen Bingo with Poison Waters! In addition to the games, come enjoy raffle prizes, a selfie station, great food & drink, and good company as we celebrate this National Day of Giving!

Business Partner(s)

Newks Hot Sauce: Born and based in Portland, OR, Newks makes all-natural, vegan, gluten-free hot sauce.

Pigeon Heart Designs: Working to catalyze the feeling of inner beauty in you, Pigeon Heart Designs was created with the belief that the right jewelry acts as a tool to boost your confidence & help you to feel even better in your own skin.

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!