(Update: Video and comments from Street Dog Hero added)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon animal shelters are busier than ever — if not busier — this late summer, making it the perfect time to resume our annual Clear the Shelters campaign.
Founded in 2017, Street Dog Hero rescues dogs locally and around the world. The nonprofit has placed hundreds of dogs from around the world into homes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“Right now we probably have between 60 and 70 available for adoption,” Jaymie Friesner, the department’s medical and intake director, said Monday. “We’ve seen a good increase in adoptions again, but the whole country, as I’m sure everyone hears all the time, is struggling.”
Street Dog Hero has already hosted several adoption events this month.
“We just held our first event this Friday and we had huge crowds,” Friesner said. “And then we worked to take advantage of the summer heat and hold a lot of events.”
They bring as many adoptable dogs as possible to these events, including foster dogs. On Saturday, August 24th, they will be hosting a fundraiser and adoption event at the Crux Fermentation Project.
“We’re trying to put a spotlight on our dogs who have a harder time getting adopted and who do better outside, in a public setting where people can actually see the dog and not just a picture,” Friesner said.
Another major adoption event is the fifth annual Heroes on the Run 5K, which will take place on Sunday, September 8. All proceeds from the event go to support dogs around the world, such as transportation, medical treatment, adoption placement, awareness and education.
“It’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, but also one of our biggest adoption events of the year,” Freisner says. “We host it at the Athletic Club of Bend, so there’s a 5K run and then just a lot of fun events afterward, raffles and things like that.”
Adoption fees start at $550 for puppies and younger dogs and range up to $100. Fees may depend on age, size and length of stay at the shelter.
“Now is a really good time to adopt a dog,” Friesner said. “There are so many great dogs looking for homes. If anyone is thinking about it, now is the time.”
Street Dog Hero is always accepting volunteers. They also highly recommend fostering a dog if your household is able to do so. The organization says larger dogs are usually the least likely to be adopted, so they encourage people to give these pups a chance.
Join NewsChannel 21 and our local shelter and business partners as we once again team up to clear the shelters and find loving homes for pets. Since 2014, this national campaign has helped over 1 million pets find new homes and over $4 million has been donated nationwide.
