Dog Services

We have some truly awesome dogs!

Thank you for your interest in adopting. When dogs are available for adoption, they will be viewable on our adoption listings.

Adoption Application

Fill out our adoption application. There is a $10 application fee due at the time of submission. Please apply on our website and we will contact you. If you’re applying from out of state to adopt a dog, please note that it is a requirement that you come meet the dog at our facility. Adoptions are available by appointment only. We will call you as soon as your approved adoption application is next in our queue. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we find homes for pets as quickly and efficiently as possible. For more information on the adoption process, call 503-655-8628 or email dogshelter@clackamas.us.

What to expect during the adoption process

1. Browse our adoptable dogs online and/or visit the shelter during adoption viewing hours. If you are interested in a particular dog, carefully review the dog’s profile and consider your needs and the particular needs of the dog. Contact us if you have questions.
2. Submit an adoption application either online or in person ($10 non-refundable fee). There is a minimum 24-hour waiting time to process new applications. If you already have a pre-approved application, this waiting period does not apply.
3. You will be notified once your application is processed. If your application is approved, an adoption counselor will contact you to have an in-depth conversation about your needs and the dog’s needs. If you and the dog are a potential match, the counselor will set a time for a meet and greet with the dog.
   Please be aware someone else could adopt the dog in the interim. We accept multiple applications for every dog and place dogs with the first suitable adopter that completes the full adoption process.
4. The meet and greet: To reduce stress on the dogs in the shelter and maintain their adoptability, meet and greets are set by appointment only after an approved application and conversation has determined that the adopter is a potential suitable match for the dog. At the appointment, all members of the household are encouraged to attend, but for some dogs household members over age 16 may not have to be present. All dogs in the house will need to come to the shelter to meet the dog.
5. It may be a match, or it may not…and that’s ok! If you are not a match for a particular dog, that’s ok; someone will be and we will help you find your right match. If you are a match, you will likely be able to complete the adoption and take the dog home with you following a successful meet and greet. 

Holds and Waiting Period

Holds

We cannot place dogs on hold. If you are interested in a particular dog, we encourage you to fill out an application or call to speak with an adoption counselor. Please be aware someone else could adopt the dog in the interim. We accept multiple applications for every dog and place dogs with the first suitable adopter. Our adoption desk is closed on Sundays and Mondays, so any applications submitted during that time period will not begin to be processed until the following Tuesday and will still require the minimum 48-hour waiting period.

Waiting Period

There is a minimum 48-hour waiting period for staff to review adoption applications. The waiting period is not applicable to any pre-approved applications that were submitted at an earlier date. Adoption appointments can be set up once the adoption application has been approved and the adopter’s household has completed any required meet and greets with the adoptable pet.

Cats

If you have any pets already in your home, including cat(s), please be aware that bringing a new dog into your household can carry inherent risks. It is good to remember that your pets do not know or have a relationship with your new dog yet and that there is often an adjustment period. Also be aware that dogs that don't show a high prey drive while sheltered, may behave differently once they are under the stress of adjusting in a new home environment with a cat(s) or other pets. Please follow these introduction recommendations to avoid initial problems, and contact our staff for any questions or clarifications on how to deal with any issues that may arise.

Our shelter does not accept cats. Find cat resources.

House Training

We have no history on most of our dogs, and the shelter environment is very different from a home environment. Please do not assume the dog you adopt will be trustworthy in the house-training department - even if they are adults. Even a previously known-to-be house-trained dog can often have accidents when re-homed. Moving to another new place is very stressful for a dog (they don't know they're "home”; they just know things have changed—again). It can take them awhile to learn your routine, your expectations, how to ask to go out, etc. Plan to set up your new dog for success with a house-training routine as though they were a puppy. The best plan of action is to have a strict feeding schedule with a regular routine of outside potty breaks where you go with them and reward their good behaviors and potty achievements outside. It is easy to relax your routine as the dog shows you they understand and is consistent in going in the appropriate place. Giving a new dog free run of the house too soon can invite accidents. Our staff can supply you with housetraining instructions and a plan to help get you both started on the right path.

Adoption Fees

Included with the cost of adoption, all adopting families receive:

• spay/neuter/dental cleaning
• dog license
• vaccinations (DHPP, Bordetella, Rabies)
• health exam at the shelter
• microchip
• heartworm test
• a goodie bag
• helpful information and literature on feeding, training and care of your new family member tailored to the dog you are adopting

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. We will then happily work with you to find a dog that is the right fit for your home.

In service to our community, we provide select animal-oriented organization, group and business information. We neither endorse nor promote any claims made by the following entities.

• Veterinary Info
• Dog Related Links
• Home Euthanasia Options
• Dog-Sitter Information Form

American Wildlife Foundation
503-829-9567

Animal Aid, Inc.
5335 SW 42nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97221
503-292-6628
Fax: 503-296-4957

Audubon Society
503-292-0304

Cat Adoption Team
Tualatin/Sherwood Hwy.
Tuesday-Friday 12pm-7pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-6pm
503-925-8903

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
971-673-6000

Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon
PO Box 8273, Portland, Or. 97282
503-797-2606

House of Dreams Cage-Free Cat Shelter
503-262-0763

Rabbit Advocates
503-617-1625
info@rabbitadvocates.org

PAWS Animal Shelter
1741 Willamette, West Linn, Or. 97068
503-650-0855

Oregon Veterinary Medical Association

Find a veterinarian

Animal Health & Care Library

Dog-related links

American Kennel Club - National Breed Club Rescue Network

American Kennel Club - Canine Good Citizen program

Animal Behavior Clinic
809 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97202
503-236-7833

Assistance Animals in Fair Housing

Clark County Animal Control
360-693-2488

Columbia County Animal Control
503-397-3935

Dog Rescue Groups of Oregon and Washington

Dove Lewis Clinic
503-228-7281
503-645-5800

Environmental Health - Cat Bite
503-655-8384

Friends Involved in Dog Outreach (FIDO)
971-678-6928

Humane Society of the United States

Willamette Humane Society
503-585-5900

King County Animal Services
206-296-7387

Lane County Animal Services
541-682-3645
541-682-3647

Livestock Control
503-655-8218

Marion County Animal Control
503-588-5366

Multnomah County Animal Services
503-988-7387
Fax: 503-988-3002

Neuter/Spay Oregon Assistance and Information

Oregon Humane Society Field Investigation
503-285-7722
503-285-7722 ext. 214

Protect yourself and your pets in case of a disaster

Southwest Washington Humane Society
360-693-4746

Washington County Animal Services
503-681-7041
503-681-7110
503-253-5584

Home euthanasia options

The Portland Veterinary Medical Association maintains a list of Veterinarians that offer home euthanasia options

Portland Veterinary Medical Association Members.

Dog-sitter information form

If you plan to use the services of a dog sitter and would like to be notified in case of an emergency, please complete the Dog-Sitter Information Form. If your dog should happen to come to our shelter for any reason, we will know how to reach you.

We are able to provide our "guests" with a high quality of life due in large part to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers.

Because most of the dogs who come through our doors are strays—and we have no history on them—safety is our number one priority. From our housekeeping team to working with dogs or helping out in the offices, we want to make the most of your unique skills! The habits our volunteers teach the dogs are critical skills that help them get adopted and then stay in their new home—truly life-saving work.

To volunteer at Dog Services, you must:

• pass a background check
• be prepared to volunteer at least 8 hours per month for 6 months
• attend orientation/training classes and follow instructions
• commit to regularly scheduled volunteer times
• be able to squat, bend, twist, lift and stand for long periods of time when working directly with animal care
• work well with people—all volunteer positions work directly with staff, other volunteers and the public
• comply with Clackamas County ordinances

Age requirements:

• 8–15-year-olds can volunteer with a parent present (no dog contact allowed) 
• 16–17-year-olds may volunteer with parent approval (no dog contact allowed) 
• You must be at least 18 years old to handle dogs.

Volunteer Programs

Our volunteer programs are designed for long-term partnerships (some on an individual level). At this time, we are unable to accommodate community service projects, short-term high school projects, job shadowing, etc. that would require direct staff oversight. For short-term assistance, we can offer instructions for craft projects to supply enrichment options for our dogs that could be done offsite in a group setting, such as creating fleece snuffle mats and suggestions for donation events. 

Available Opportunities

Please read the information below and email tmoxon@clackamas.us stating which program you are interested in and to receive a link when the next ZOOM information session is held.

Rabies is a preventable, viral disease of mammals that can be transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. In Oregon, rabies is present in bats and foxes. Rabies is fatal for humans and other mammals if not treated on a timely basis.

If you receive a bite from an animal—especially a wild animal—that breaks the skin and/or draws blood, it is very important that you report the bite immediately.

After hours, holidays and weekends when rabies is suspected, call: 
Clackamas County Communicable Diseases, 503-655-8411 or Oregon Health Authority, 971-673-1111

Protect yourself and your pets

You can protect your warm-blooded pets and yourself from rabies. If your pet is three-months old or older and you don't know whether it has been vaccinated against rabies, check with a veterinarian. If an unvaccinated pet is exposed to rabies, the recommendation is that it be euthanized or placed into a required, strict, four-month quarantine.

If a bat or other wild animal bites you—or if saliva from a bat or other wild animal gets into your eyes, nose, mouth or a wound—wash the affected area and get medical help immediately. Never handle a live or dead bat with your hands.

There is no treatment for rabies after symptoms of the disease appear in humans. However, there is an effective rabies vaccine series (post-exposure prophylaxis) available to humans if administered as soon as possible after the exposure and within a limited timeframe. With appropriate and timely treatment, most humans can expect a full recovery.

Veterinarians can provide one-stop service for dog licensing and vaccinations

Clackamas County residents are required by law to license their dogs, and in order to be licensed, a dog must have an up-to-date rabies vaccine.

To help dog owners, Clackamas County requires all veterinarians in the county to report rabies vaccinations they administer to dogs. This means dog owners don't have to send a copy of the vaccination information to Dog Services when they buy their county dog license from their veterinarian. Licenses are variable depending on the rabies vaccine expiration.

The licensing fees help all animals in our community stay healthy, help the county provide care for lost and homeless dogs, support field services that respond to calls such as dog-at-large, dog bite and neglect, and can be your dog's ticket home if they become lost.

Thank you for considering ways to help our shelter! While we accept many types of donations, the items listed below would benefit our dogs the most. Our focus is on enrichment and the best toys are the ones that can keep a dog's mind busy. Also, as you can imagine, treats and medical supply donations are always needed.

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter during business hours. No appointment is needed. 

Enrichment

• Boomer Balls
• Busy Buddy Jack Dog Toy - large
• Hueter Toledo Virtually Indestructible Ball - any size
• Kongs - medium and large, black or red
• Hard rubber chew toys
• Nylabones
• eGGE dog toy
• Buster Cubes
• Thunder shirts

Food and treats

• High quality training treats
  • Sojos Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
  • Carnivore Crunch Treats
  • Northwest Naturals Raw Rewards
  • Happy Howie's Meat Rolls
  • Bully Sticks
  • Northwest Naturals Freeze Dried Dog Treats
  • Himalayan Dog Chews
• High quality canned (ground or paste, please, not chunky) and dry dog food (in its original packaging with expiration date*).
  *Please note: If you are donating un-used food from your home, we ask that it be no more than 3 months past its expiration date and in its original packaging. Thank you!
  • Acana
  • Canidae
  • Castor & Pollux
  • Eukanuba
  • Iams
  • Innova
  • Kirkland
  • Natural Balance
  • Nutro
  • ORIJEN
  • Purina One
  • Purina ProPlan
  • Science Diet
  • Stella & Chewy's
  • Wellness

Supplies

• Extra-small dog collars
• E-Z UP canopies
• Original Dawn dish soap
• Zip ties
• Carabineers
• Nylon rope, medium weight
• Bungee cords
• Duct tape
• Brown roll gauze, 2 inches or 4 inches wide
• Disinfecting wipes
• Distilled water
• Large and Extra Large Petmate Vari Kennels
• Exercise pens
• Large and Extra Large wire crates
• Gorilla Cart 4 cu. ft. Poly Garden Dump Cart for lobby donations

Specialty items

• Amazon wish list
• Chewy wish list
• Wonder Walker Body Halter (sizes Medium – LG and XL preferred please)

Other ways you can help our shelter dogs

• Volunteer
  There are many ways you can volunteer your time to support the shelter, including working with the dogs or helping with office tasks.
• Donate 
  By donating funds, you can:
  • help reduce pet over-population by supporting our spay and neuter program for pets of residents on State or Federal Government Assistance,
  • provide enrichment and training for our shelter guests to help them find new forever homes, and
  • help make sure we are able to provide emergency veterinary care when needed.
  • Checks can be written out to the Clackamas County Dog Services Charitable Fund and mailed to Dog Services at 13141 SE Hwy 212, Clackamas OR 97015
• Adopt
  Check out our adoptable dogs!

Did you find...

What happens to stray dogs brought to the shelter?  
Stray dogs that arrive at the shelter are assessed for health and safety concerns. If medical attention is needed, intervention is provided. Staff are onsite daily to provide the dogs with food, care and enrichment activities.  
 

Investigation requests

Please call 503-655-8628 or fill out our Investigation Request Form. For neighbor disputes, such as barking dog complaints, you may contact Clackamas County Dispute Resolution Center for assistance with talking to your neighbors.

Rabies

Bites by rabies-susceptible animals should be reported within 24 hours to the county in which the victim resides.

Barking dogs

Complaints about barking dogs are the most frequent complaints received by Clackamas County Dog Services. As dog owners, we are responsible for the care and well-being of our pets, but sometimes we forget that our dogs can affect other people. We may not be aware of how much disturbance our own dogs are causing, or that we may have neighbors that are very sensitive to our dogs' sounds.