By Sarah Bradham | Executive Director
We don't know about you, but we feel like 2025 is on warp speed! It was just yesterday that we were closing out 2024 and we already find ourselves in April. At POOCH, we have been off to a busy start with SEVEN adoptions so far this year. It has been exciting to see two of our longest residents find their perfect forever families.
So far this year 11 youth have participated at POOCH, working 3,000 hours, and earning 6 certifications. The youth have worked with dogs ranging from 9lbs to 85lbs, from chihuahuas to pit bulls to German Shepherds to heelers. Every day we have the opportunity to watch our youth develop their dog training skills, build patience, and learn how to work and communicate as a team—all skills that will serve them well in life.
At Project POOCH we are often asked if we have any breed restrictions on the dogs that come to our program. We do not discriminate against any breeds—we welcome any dog that is a good fit for the program. Our youth have been begging for a pitbull at POOCH, and in January we found a great match—Rocco! They were so excited to get to work with a pitbull, and helped this big goofy guy learn his basic skills, learn how to manage his excitement, and build him up for his forever home. He had spent 4 months in a county shelter prior to coming to POOCH, and within 8 weeks we had found him the perfect home.
After Rocco was adopted, we were able to bring in another sweet Pittie, a 2-year-old who had just had a litter of puppies (probably one of many litters), and she was in rough shape. Missing tons of fur and suffering complications from her spay. We got her all the medical care she needed, and the youth are working with her to build up confidence, help her with her separation anxiety, and teach her ways to manage in this big world. She's definitely a youth favorite and we hope to find Miss Jacqueline a home soon.
A few notes on adoptions this year—We don't often get to say that we truly saved a life, but in Abby's case, that's exactly what happened. Abby came to us in early January. Her family was going to euthanize her because they didn't want her anymore. Thankfully, someone we reached out to us and we were able to bring her to POOCH. She was in rough shape with a horrible skin condition and terrible matting in her coat. The youth were so sweet and kind to her as they bathed her, groomed her, and got her ready for her forever home. We were all so excited to see her find her new mom and know that we had helped save this sweet girl and give her an awesome life.
Clifford was dumped at the POOCH office in Lake Oswego last July. He was almost completely shut down and terrified of the world. At only 9 months old, he had been on the streets, then at a rescue, then into a prison program, and adopted into a home, before landing at POOCH. He needed patience and compassion, which he got from the youth and trainers. He also built his confidence by interacting with other dogs. In February, he was adopted by one of our staff members, and now he has a dog brother, Avi
Vivienne, or Vivi, came to POOCH in June 2024. She was initially a stray in Clackamas County. Nervous and headstrong, Vivi was a fun combination who challenged the youth in their training skills. Vivi had a few false starts on adoptions, with several overnight visits ending early. But with each home visit, we learned something new, and her perfect family showed up in March. She quickly charmed them with her silliness and is enjoying her life with her mom, dad, and dog brother, Ranger (also a former POOCH pup).
On our agenda for this year is to completely redo our front yard at POOCH. It's not serving our dogs well as it's covered in small rock that sticks in the dogs paws, gets VERY hot in the summer and freezes in the winter and flood when it rains. We want to scrape off all the rock, and put down a surface that is friendly to dog's paws, help manage the flooding situation, and will be cooler in the summer.
You can help make our front yard project a reality by making a contribution now! We currently have a donor who is offering us the opportunity for a $4,000 match. So every dollar you donate could be matched 1:1!
Thank you for your belief in what we do at POOCH and for helping to create life-changing opportunities for all the youth who come through our program, and for dogs like Toby, Ace, Abby, Cliff, Vivienne, Rocco, and Honey.
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