Project Pooch

11/20/2024

It's a BIG Give Day through GIVE Guide and Project POOCH has matching donor today! Help us unlock an $800 match by donating today. Link in the comments below. Read more about what your donations help do at Project POOCH.

In May, we took in two sweet pups, Rosie & Simba. Their owner deeply loved them but had come to a point in life where she could no longer care for them. Rosie, at 7.5, had tons of energy and enjoyed being the life of the party. While Simba, at 14.5, loved a good long walk followed by a long nap.

Simba turned out to need expensive dental care, and ended up losing all of his teeth. The youth did such a great job of caring for him when he came back from his dental procedure, and ensuring he only got soft food from that point forward. Rosie also had a few medical challenges as well. Due to our daily health sheets, the youth were quick to spot her medical concerns. We provided all of the medical care both Rosie & Simba needed to get them healthy and fit for their forever home.

When we initially took them in, we thought they would be a quick adoption—small dogs tend to be in high demand. But due to their age difference, we had a hard time finding an adopter who wanted them both—and we weren't willing to split them up. They had a few home visits, but they just didn't end up being a good fit due to other animals already in the home.

The months ticked by. The youth loved working with them. Rosie was smart as a whip with tons of tricks she already knew and boundless energy, and Simba was a little cuddle bug who was always ready for a snuggle when a youth was having a hard day.

These two had so many false starts at adoption that we all started to wonder if their home was out there. And then Maria appeared. She came for a meet and greet at the kennel, and the youth got to share everything they knew about Rosie & Simba with her. Maria was kind and respectful of the youth and the dogs. As I walked her out, we talked about plans to set up a home visit. When I got back to the kennel, the youth were excited, "do you think this is going to be their home?" they asked. "I don't know, what do you think?" I replied, with a huge smile on my face.

And the rest is history. Rosie & Simba have been happily enjoying their forever home for two months now. Just when we started to lose hope for Rosie & Simba, they got their happy ending.

You can help us make more happy endings possible for pups and youth by making a donation today. Thank you for believing in second chances.

11/19/2024

This little guy is nice and cozy on this cold and wet morning. Ace Domino came to us from Marion County Dog Services almost three weeks ago. He was very shy and nervous when he first arrived. He's warming up quickly and really starting to show his personality! He had his first trip to the vet yesterday for some vaccines and still needs to be neutered. We expect him to be available for adoption in early December.

You can help support dogs like Ace and the development of the youth in our program by donating to Project POOCH through our Give Guide campaign at tinyurl.com/giveguidprojectpooch. Ace thanks you for your support!

11/16/2024

11/15/2024

Join us tomorrow at NOON for a Facebook Live event where you can "meet" these two, Cliff (left) and Vivi (right), along with Klondike! We will be taking all three of these GREAT pups over to our training center, and working with them one on one during the Facebook Live. Learn more about the pups and ask any questions you might have. We hope to see you then!

11/13/2024

Have you always wanted an e-bike but felt they were a bit out of reach? Well, here is your chance to win one!

Splendid Cycles is back! Donate $10 or more today through GiveGuide (tinyurl.com/poochgg24) and you’ll be entered to win a 2024 Orbea Kemen 40/Kemen 40 Mid from Splendid Cycles.

You’ll be taking the long way home with this e-bike:
Shimano STEPS EP8 e-system, Shimano Deore gears and Shimano brakes for a smooth safe ride

540WH battery, which means it’s up to the task whether you need it for your work or school commute or just to zip around town

The Orbea Kemen retails for $3,599

Splendid Cycles' staff will fit you to the right size and style of frame (step-over or mid) so you'll have a bike you'll enjoy for many years

11/06/2024

It's time for another BIG Give Day!

Donate $10 or more today for a chance to win a Central Oregon getaway! (Donate at tinyurl.com/poochgg24)

This prize includes:

A half-day tour for two from Wanderlust Tours, a local Bend tour operator committed to fun in the outdoors, sharing the natural and cultural history of Oregon, and protecting our beautiful corner of the world. Choose from their lava caves, canoeing, kayaking, or snowshoeing tours.

After your tour, head over to Wall Street Suites for a relaxing one-night stay a stone’s throw from the Deschutes River. Psst: You’ll find Wall Street Suites ranked second on Oregon Business Magazine’s 100 Best Fan-Favorite Destinations in Oregon.

11/02/2024

Give!Guide launched today! And it’s a BIG Give Day. Give $10 or more today and be entered to win Billie Eilish tickets for her show at the Moda Center on December 8. Link: tinyurl.com/poochgg24

10/25/2024

We love getting updates from our adopters on their POOCH pups! Rosie and Simba are all prepared for the change in season with their snazzy new winter gear. They enjoyed a nice walk this morning and an after walk snuggle with mom. This duo are getting to bring joy to so many people as they like to visit folks in assisted living with their mom. It’s so helpful for the youth to see the dogs they trained and cared for living amazing lives in the outside world. Not only did it make them happy for the dogs, but it gives them hope for their own futures.

10/24/2024

Guess who went to their forever home this week? Lily & Olive! These two sweet girls initially went to Clackamas County Dog Services when their owner died, before coming to POOCH in late May. When Olive first arrived, her whole chest and belly were bare. The theory was that she had food allergies, and with a switch in food, she slowly regrew the hair on her belly. The youth enjoyed working with Lily & Olive, and spent time working on leash handling, basic cues, and some reactivity to certain triggers. Olive loved having playdates with Klondike and Vivianne, while her sister Lily preferred to watch the action from afar. Their new family is already smitten with them and they are getting lots of love and snuggles. Happy trails, Lily & Olive!

10/18/2024

Lily and Olive are getting into the Halloween spirit! These two sweet girls have been with us since early June. It’s hard to believe they haven’t found their forever family yet!

10/16/2024

Rosie & Simba have found their forever home! Rosie & Simba joined us at POOCH in May, and their journey to their forever home took longer than expected. Bonded pairs are always a more challenging adoption as most folks aren't looking to add two dogs to their home at once. And with a large age difference (7 years), and Simba's advanced age (14 years), it was hard to find the right person to take them on. We are fortunate that Maria saw their post and almost immediately fell in love with our dynamic duo. Rosie & Simba are settling in well to their new home. They are adored by their new mom and getting all the love and care they deserve! Happy trails sweet kiddos—we loved having you with us!

10/10/2024

It’s career fair day at MacLaren! This is a great opportunity for the youth to learn about different career paths. We are all setup to share info about our program and the variety of different animal-related careers. Oregon Youth Authority

10/07/2024

Did someone say we are on NPR? Why yes, Lily, they did! We are thrilled that the wonderful story that OPB did on Project POOCH got picked up by NPR and is going national! That means more folks will learn about the important, life-changing work we do at POOCH.

Recently, one of our youth had this to say about his time at Project POOCH, “Through my time here I’ve shed blood, sweat, and tears, literally, and I wouldn’t take any of it back. Project POOCH has provided the most beautiful times in my life and taught me so much. I’d do it again. The team here at POOCH is the best team I’ve been able to be a part of and experience. It’s completely changed my perspective on how to treat dogs and animals in general. It’s been an amazing opportunity to grown, learn, and hang with dogs and cats. And be a change not just for people, like me, but animals, too.”

Thanks to all of you for making life-changing opportunities possible. If you would like to support our work, you can donate today at pooch.org/donate

09/21/2024

Stop by Wallace Park in NW Portland today before 7pm to say hello! There’s food carts, a band, and a dog parade at 5pm. You can also pick up some Project POOCH merch!

09/13/2024

Did you catch Project POOCH on OPB yesterday? In case you missed it, you can listen to and read the story online. We are thrilled that OPB visited our kennel to talk to the youth, meet the dogs, and get a feel for the impact of the program in the lives of the youth and the dogs.

From one of our youth “He’s come a really long way,” Chris said. “And it’s amazing. Knowing that you … take a part in a really big change for him, or for any animal, makes you feel nice.”

Oregon Youth Authority

The youth development program, housed at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, teaches its participants specific skills and broader life lessons, all while finding homes for dogs in need.

09/11/2024

ADOPTED!!! It took Bo only a few weeks to find his forever home. We are so thankful that this sweet boy has found his new mom. Bo's backstory is that he was originally at POOCH back in 2012 and was adopted and much loved for 12 years. His original momma got sick and wasn't able to care for him anymore. Her wish was that we would take him back and find his new home. And of course, we obliged. We think he looks like he settling in well to his now home. What do you think?

09/06/2024

Show your Project POOCH pride with one of our POOCH t-shirts, hoodies, or hats! We've heard from many of you that you wanted to get your hands on our new green POOCH merch, so now you can! We also have a very limited number of "Proud POOCH parent" shirts. Place your order today!

Store apparel | All apparel Project POOCH Green Short-Sleeve T-Shirt $30.00 Add To Cart Project POOCH Green Hoody $55.00 Add Item to Cart Project POOCH Ball Cap $30.00 Add To Cart Project POOCH Long-Sleeve Shirt $35.00 Add To Cart Grey, short-sleeve - Proud Project POCH Parent (Copy) Sale Price:$15....