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Here's What Happens to Animals at the Multnomah County Shelter

The county's kill rate has dropped dramatically in 6 years.

By Jenna Mulligan

It's a good time to be a stray dog, according to the Multnomah County auditor.

For the first time in more a decade, Multnomah County has audited its animal shelters. The report, released late last month, shows euthanasia fell dramatically. County records show Multnomah County Animal Services cut its use of euthanasia from 3,864 animals killed in 2008, a kill rate of 47 percent, to 700 animals in 2014, a kill rate of 11 percent.

Auditor Steve March says animal services cut its kill rate by pushing to get more animals into foster care and adopted, including by partnering with other agencies that work specifically with certain breeds. "They made a concerted effort," says March.

Here's what happened to animals that arrived at the Troutdale shelter in 2014.

SOURCE: Multnomah County Animal Services Audit (Illustration by Lovatto; Chart by WW Staff) SOURCE: Multnomah County Animal Services Audit (Illustration by Lovatto; Chart by WW Staff)

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