It’s raining cats and dogs

Portland notoriously has a huge issue with homeless pets and stray animals. When winter hits each year, hundreds of animals are left to fend for themselves during the rainy season.

While there are many organizations and animal shelters doing their best to keep homeless pets safe and healthy, the sheer number of animals needing care is overwhelming. Animal lovers all over the city take strays into the various shelters, saving them from the cold. But what happens to those animals afterward is dependent on the kindness of Portland citizens. Fortunately, there are numerous ways that even students can help.

The first thing to do is determine what amount of aid you are able to give. Ideally, adoption is the best way to help alleviate massive amount of overcrowding in shelters while also providing a feline or canine companion with a caring and safe environment.

While this decision takes careful consideration and depends entirely on both the financial and living situation of a potential pet owner, it is an incredible experience. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how much adopting a pet improves its life.

It’s true that as students, taking on a new addition to your family can be difficult. At this point in our lives we are in a state of transition. Often times it is hard to calculate where we will be in a few years time. With pending job opportunities, new places to live and an unpredictable schedule, sometimes it’s just too much to have a pet in mind as well.

However, there are many temporary options that will also ease the crowded shelters. Becoming a foster parent for an animal in need is a fantastic way to aid the homeless animal community. You get a one on one chance to give a lucky pet a temporary place to call home while simultaneously being directly involved in their adoption process.

Of course there are lots of other ways where dedicating even a small portion of your time can greatly benefit local organizations.

“Our cattery is open to the public every day. A simple way for students to help is coming in to spend time with our pets that have yet to be adopted,” said Amy Sacks, executive director at Pixie Project. “People coming in to interact, brush or pet our cats helps socialize them and prepare them for a home.”

The Pixie Project is one of Portland’s rescue organizations trying their hardest every day to successfully match pets with owners. Even shopping at their location for supplies for your current pet contributes to their noble mission because the Pixie pet supply store is non-profit.

With so many options in how you can volunteer your time, taking part in relieving the pressure being put on shelters is easy.

“For students who are more vocal and outgoing, one of our great positions is training to become an adoption counselor,” said Kristi Brooks, operations manager at Cat Adoption Team. “By getting to know the cats we have, adoption counselors work directly with people seeking pets to provide them with a perfect match. It’s a heartwarming and selfless experience.”

Cat Adoption Team also runs a cat food bank, aiming to keep pets with the families who love them even through financially stressful times. The food bank is 100 percent donation based and is constantly saving owners from having to surrender their pets.

“Volunteers can also help in spreading awareness for our various projects. Cat Adoption Team provides a low-cost spay and neuter program for low income families. Students looking to help can assist us by blanketing neighborhoods with our fliers and door hangers alerting pet owners with fertile animals about our services,” said Brooks.

There are even ways to join the pet saving community on our campus. Portland State’s own Portland Animal Welfare for Students, better known as PAWS, is a student group that meets frequently to help connect students who are passionate about animals.

“PAWS works to advocate good pet ownership, assisting local nonprofit animal organizations, and getting resources to student pet owners,” said Kat Barnum, president of PAWS.

PAWS gives PSU students ample ways to assist changing the lives of local animals by teaming up with other organizations. Throughout the year they sponsor food drives, provide information on behavioral issues and pet training, and educate the community on animal welfare.

Taking responsibility for the well-being of local animals is a powerful and rewarding act of kindness. After all, our furry friends rely entirely on the generosity of humans to support their happy and healthy lifestyles. Chances are no one really has to twist your arm to go spend time petting kitties. But what may appear as a simple act from the outside is really a gift of love that improves the life of that animal.

If you have even a spare moment of time this holiday season, there are endless opportunities to take part in enriching the lives of Portland’s pets in need.