Our Work
All proceeds raised by Friends of Multnomah County Shelter Animals (FMCSA) are used to directly impact and improve the lives of local shelter animals. We fund projects that reduce the number of homeless pets, increase adoptions, and improve the quality of life for animals in the shelter at Multnomah County Animal Services.
Stylish New Van Wraps
Eye-catching vehicle wraps that boost visibility for MCAS services were made possible with the proceeds of our super fun and highly successful online auction. These vans now provide more than transportation; they’re mobile billboards for animal welfare, helping MCAS connect more animals with loving homes and more community members with essential lost and found pet services.
Dog Play Group Gazebos
Dog playgroup gazebos give pups a place to play, socialize and de-stress, rain or shine, and provide a comfortable place for potential adopters to meet their future best friends.
A Free Collar & Leash for Adopted Dogs
In 2025, we helped pups start off on the right paw with safe and secure martingale collars and six-foot long leashes. Veterinarians and dog trainers often recommend martingale collars to help prevent dogs from slipping out of their collars and getting lost.
Matching Donations for Kitten Triage Program
Each year since the inception of MCAS’s kitten triage program, hundreds of kittens have been saved, cared for, socialized, and adopted into loving families. FMCSA donates generously to this program. In 2019, our $10,000 matching gift reinvigorated the second half of the fundraising campaign, helping to raise a total of $44,336 to save kittens.
Read more in this article from The Outlook.
Spay & Neuter Trailer
Realizing early on that spaying/neutering would be a critical factor in decreasing euthanasia, FMCSA purchased a mobile spay/neuter trailer. Later, when it was no longer being used on the road, the trailer was utilized to pilot the Kitten Triage Program. This program kept kittens separate from the rest of the shelter population and allowed for the provision of direct, lifesaving care for kittens as young as newborn.
Cattery Improvements
Until FMCSA purchased new cages, cats up for adoption were housed in small, 24” x 24” metal cages that clanged and echoed. The litter box was unnaturally close to the cat’s food, water, and bed. The inability to hide or escape in such a small, sterile space—compounded by the noise—caused even more stress on these poor felines, often turning even the most affectionate cat into a hissing recluse or a depressed lump. Thanks to a very generous donation from FMCSA, new cages were purchased and the entire cat adoption area was remodeled to give the cats more room, quieter space, natural light, and— best of all—separate litter box quarters!
Dog Kennel Privacy Inserts
A good portion of the dog kennels consists of chain link fencing, including the play areas where dogs go for a break or to meet potential adopters. Privacy inserts prevent dogs from seeing each other, which reduces stress and improves their overall sense of well-being while in the shelter environment.
ACT Van
In 2012, MCAS started the county’s first ever Trap-Neuter-Return program called ACT (Apartment Cat Team). The idea behind the program was to give people living in low income apartments and mobile home parks the tools to care for feral cats rather than bring them to the shelter where they were almost immediately euthanized. The ACT van was used extensively for 6 years to educate people and transport cats to and from the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon for spay/neuter surgeries. The van was vitally important in implementing this new program and was not budgeted through the county. Without FMCSA, the program would likely have not been piloted.
Transport Van
In 2013, FMCSA donated a much-needed van for transporting adoptable animals to various outreach events and offsite adoption venues, thereby increasing their chances for finding forever homes.
Creature Comforts
We provide the dogs, cats and other shelter animals with a variety of enrichment items to make their time at the shelter more pleasant. Items include everything from dog and cat toys to “Adopt Me” vests, dog beds, potty pads and more.
Parade Float Trailer
Pitbulls are one of the most common dogs in the animal shelter and also one of the most misunderstood. To create a way to show off these dogs to the public, MCAS began “Pitties In Pink” and went on the parade circuit. For several years, MCAS built a float, added some volunteers and a few pitbulls, then entered local parades—including the Starlight Parade. Thousands of spectators were able to see lovable pitbulls—sometimes dressed in pink tu-tus—serving as ambassadors for the breed. Friends was proud to provide a float trailer for this super cool, invaluable breed promotion.