Change the Lives of Troubled Youth & Shelter Dogs

Project Pooch is a place where incarcerated youth can find growth, understanding, and opportunities for connection and support. During these challenging times, it’s our job to weather the storm and to keep this space and those opportunities protected for both the youth and the dogs that they care for.

Like many others in our community, we have experienced highs and lows in 2025. We watch POOCH youth transform from trainees to mentors as they discover a sense of pride and confidence in themselves. We have the privilege of witnessing the youth invest time, energy, and love into every dog that comes through our doors as they help each dog on their journey to their forever homes. Our youth have found unconditional love in so many 4-legged packages this year—from 5-pound Bonita to 80-pound Rocco, and everything in between.

We’ve also struggled with the reality of the overcrowded shelter system. We’ve talked to pet parents who have lost the resources to care for their beloved pups. We don’t typically take owner surrenders at POOCH. Many of our youth have experienced abandonment, and we teach them that adopting a dog is a life-long commitment. But we also teach them that when you are in a position to help someone in need, you should. On several occasions this year, we stepped up to help a community member in need, and Abby and Maxx now have healthy, happy homes as a result. Project POOCH truly saved their lives.

In October, one of our long-term youth started the next phase of his life journey, transitioning from Maclaren to an OYA camp facility. At his send-off party, he was astonished to hear a summary of his impact. During his 17 months at Project POOCH, he logged 2,100 hours at the kennel, working with 27 POOCH dogs along with 44 boarding and daycare dogs, for a total of 71 unique dogs! He became a mentor to incoming youth, completed three certifications, and earned more than $11,500 to put towards restitution and building a new life upon release. As he was leaving, he shared, “Before I came to POOCH, I didn’t know anything about dogs. But now I can teach a dog anything. You can’t be biased because of how a dog looks. Each dog has a different personality. I now know how to advocate for every dog.”

Project POOCH provides a place for every youth to develop into an advocate for themselves, their peers, and some of the most vulnerable around us—unwanted dogs. As they care for pups, they learn that they, too, are worthy of care and love, and can provide value to their community both inside and outside the fence.

As we turn the page on 2025, I want to thank you for your support of the work we do at Project POOCH and for helping us continue to make these life-changing opportunities possible for many years to come.

2025 Year-End Stats

• Served 22 Youth
• Youth worked 10,400 hours at the kennel
• 24 certifications earned by 11 youth
• Youth earned $46,500 through wage incentives and adoption, boarding, daycare, and grooming fees
• Adopted 19 POOCH dogs
• Served 28 boarding dogs, providing 293 boarding nights
• Served 23 daycare dogs, providing 395 daycare days
• Worked with 3 county shelters—Marion, Clackamas, and Multnomah—to assist with overcrowding
• Saw 5 POOCH youth move on to transition facilities
• Worked with dogs of all sizes and breeds—no breed restrictions!
  

Links:

• Get to know Cupcake! One of our adoptable dogs.
• Sydney is a Home for the Holidays Dog!