Dog Services

The Clackamas County Dog Services Charitable Fund (DSCF) uses donations like yours to support county dogs and their human families. Donations are used to help with resources for food, shelter, lost dogs, and finding new homes for dogs

Did you know…?

• Every stray dog that comes to our shelter receives medical attention and care.
• We match adoptable dogs with good homes, reunite owners with lost dogs, and shelter stray dogs.
• A DSCF donation is tax deductible. You will receive a receipt for your records.

Your donations help hundreds of dogs find their way to a new, loving home _— and even more dogs are reunited with their worried owners each year. Learn more about these programs below.

Whether it is a gift of $1 or $1,000, you can make a difference in reducing overpopulation through spaying and neutering shelter dogs, providing enrichment and training for shelter guests, and making sure there are funds for emergency vet care. 

Donate Now

Clackamas County dogs — and their families — thank you for your support!

Programs Funded by DSCF Donations

Individual donations are the backbone of the DSCF programs. These donations are used for a variety of services, such as:

Emergency veterinary care fund

Some dogs enter the shelter with serious medical issues or require diagnostics beyond what we can afford. Oftentimes, the dog would otherwise be adoptable if its condition could be treated at an outside veterinarian’s office or veterinary specialist. This fund saves lives — helping dogs with ailments from broken bones to bladder stones.

Medical equipment and supplies

This fund supports the medical, veterinary, and dental care that happens in the shelter. This includes spay and neuter of dogs prior to placement, reducing the risk of unwanted puppies in our community. Dental care alleviates suffering, allows dogs to have a significantly higher quality of life, and helps dogs and their owners enjoy life together long after adoption.

Dog Food and Enrichment Fund

We invest in the daily care of shelter dogs by providing specialized foods and enrichment activities. Enrichment is key to increasing the adoptability of dogs and helping their well-being while they wait for placement. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing them enjoy fun foods and toys?

Shelter Volunteers

Our volunteers help with housekeeping and potty-walking. This is a priceless resource for the shelter! Funds will be used to support and recognize these local heroes for their life-saving efforts.

• You must be at least 18 years old to adopt. The application is used as a tool to help find the best possible home for the animal and the best possible match for your home and lifestyle.
• Applications require a $10 non-refundable application fee which will be applied to the adoption fee if you choose to adopt at our shelter within 1 year of the date of application. Adoption applications are valid for 1 year. We will begin processing your application after your application payment is submitted.
• Completion of the application does not guarantee approval for the dog listed on your application. The adoption application is one step in the adoption process. Additional steps may include meet & greets with the dog, your household and other pets.
• Landlords and property owners will be contacted to verify permission has been granted to adopt a pet and note whether there are restrictions on breed, size, etc. You are required to provide landlord/property owner information as part of the application process. If you own your property, our office verifies this information with the county assessor’s office.
• Licensing Your application approval will be dependent upon providing our office with proof of current licensing for the pets in your household (per your jurisdiction). Clackamas County requires licensing for dogs, but not cats. However, other jurisdictions may require cats and dogs to be licensed. Contact your local jurisdiction for licensing requirements.
• Meet & greet appointments can be set up once your adoption application is approved. Our staff will notify you once your application has been approved and to discuss the next steps in the adoption process.
• All adopters must be willing to permit a visit by a representative of Clackamas County Dog Services to the residence where the adopted pet will be living.
• All dogs adopted from our shelter receive:
  • a Clackamas County Dog License
  • health exam
  • a microchip with registration
  • DHPP, bordetella and rabies vaccinations
  • short-term flea treatment and dewormer
  • heartworm test
  • a goodie bag
  • spay/neuter
  • dental cleaning (if needed)
• Return Policy We recognize that in spite of everyone's best efforts, there will be times when a dog will simply not be the right fit at home. Adoption returns may be made up to 90 days after adoption for a full refund.

Fees

• If you are interested in more than one dog, you only need to submit one adoption application and one application fee.
• If you already have a valid/current adoption application on file with our office you don’t need to file another application. You can email dogshelter@clackamas.us or call our office at 503-655-8628 to let our staff know that you would like to put your adoption application towards a particular dog.

By clicking "Continue to Adoption Application", I certify that I have read and understand all the information outlined above.

Continue to Adoption Application

We will begin processing your application after your application payment is submitted.

Remember, completion of the application does not guarantee you a dog. 

Next steps

• Possible meet & greets with the potential dog, your household and other pets.
• Landlords and property owners will be contacted.
• Proof of current licensing for the pets in your household will be reviewed.
• Visit by a representative of Clackamas County Dog Services to the residence where the adopted pet will be living.

For other questions or concerns, please contact dogshelter@clackamas.us or call our office at 503-655-8628.

More adoption information