Six animal shelters in Portland, OR have joined together to reduce the number of euthanized animals in the area. In 2006, 18,000 animals were euthanized but in 2012 that number was reduced to 6,000.
Their success is attributed to a commitment to saving more lives and finding homes for the stray dogs and cats. If one shelter is overcrowded, the others will take in more pets. A state-of-the-art vet hospital helps with a speedy diagnosis for sick and injured animals, saving more lives. A microchip system allows stray animals to be identified and returned to their owners so they never have to enter a shelter.
Although these improvements have made a significant difference in the number of animals that are euthanized, the executive director of the Oregon Humane Society, Sharon Harmon, says that the community can help and get involved by fostering pets and donating to their local shelter.