muskrateer: see post below with email address. Also be alert to media around the second or third week of this month.

I also agree with your recent posts about spaying and neutering and irresponsible owners. But once animals are lost, abandoned, surrendered - the culture surrounding those poor animals needs to change. There are many organizations who make money off the backs of these unfortunate animals - they are a free commodity, unable to speak for themselves, and for the most part the public is unaware of their ultimate plight - good advertising wins over truly compassionate work every time. This must stop.

Just a clarification - I don't want to criticize OHS too much - they are probably the best opportunity for abandoned/homeless animals we have right now. But - many times they will not accept a returned adoption. And last month at least 3 dogs that I am aware of - that were adopted out from OHS ended up at MCAS. The adoption screening process is not anywhere near where it should be - that is one of the reasons their adoption rate is so high.

You are so right - you should be able to assume that the information is accurate - especially information from a public agency funded by tax payers and supervised (only there is no supervision) by elected officials. I am pondering how we can make contact. Give me some time to think about this.

I really respect your positions and thoughts on your other posts. I will get back to you through this site - will it stay operable for a period of time?

Muskrateer: I just viewed your other posts. I see that you have just graduated from college (so are young) and that your heart appears to be in the right place - you are concerned with social justice. Because I think you mean well - please do not quote statistics regarding an agency that you know little about. For over a decade now, concerned citizens (including prominent business people, politicians outside of Multnomah County, attorneys, people with doctorates in various fields, people from all walks of life - all people who care about animals - have been aware of the needless killing, incompetence and cruelty taking place at MCAS and have been tirelessly trying to bring about change. THE STATISTICS YOU QUOTE ARE NOT ACCURATE. This agency has no accountability, shows no compassion for animals or citizens. Google Janet Zeider's (Emmett) story for just one example. Please - join this group - I think you would be appalled at the truth about MCAS.

MCAS 2010 kill rate - either an outrageous lie by Michael Oswald, the Director - or gross incompetence in doing the statistics. The intake number of dogs shows 1000+ less dogs than any of the previous ten years - virtually impossible when every other facility in the country has increased intake numbers during this period of economic hardship. Animals are missing (100's) when you add up the columns of redeemed, adopted, killed, fostered etc.
The same animals are listed in several categories (fosters and transfers appear to be also listed as adopted). The citizens need to demand an outside audit of this rogue agency. The woman who decides which dogs should live or die is not qualified to do so - she is certified as a behavior trainer only. She calls killing dogs "giving them peace". a tiny lhaso apso was scheduled by her to "find peace" last week - because an adopter returned the dog - stating that when on a leash - the lhaso was reacting badly to other dogs. They offered the adopter no help with training (this problem could have been easily resolved) - but took the dog back (all 7 pounds of it) so MCAS could help the dog "find peace" - meaning KILL it . This agency is a cruel, inhumane embarrassment to the City of Portland and Multnomah County. Jeff Cogan, Multnomah County Chair has been alerted of the problems with MCAS from many citizens - he chooses to do nothing.