Animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations play a crucial role in caring for vulnerable animals within our communities. Groups like the ones below take care of stray and homeless animals, provide them with the necessary medical care, and then work to find them homes. For many of us, rescue organizations like these are the primary source we look to for pets. Anyone can browse the heart-tugging photos of adoptable animals, and as most of us know, it’s hard to visit an animal shelter and not see multiple animals you’d like to take home! If you’re at the point of wanting a new animal companion, or if you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity to bring you more time with animals, these Marion County rescue organizations are a great place to start.
Asher House
Located just outside Salem, the Asher House is a 240-acre animal sanctuary “for the welfare, protection, and dignity of all animals. Our organization provides rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming and a lifelong sanctuary for animals in need.” Founder Lee Asher has a strong media presence, having filmed a TV series, “My Pack Life,” for the Discovery Channel. The show followed Asher as he traveled the country in a van rescuing dogs, and then the founding of the animal sanctuary. Many of the animals were rescued from difficult living situations, and some of the horses were brought to Asher House from kill pens.
The focus at Asher House is on dogs, and they typically have between 150 and 200 dogs at any given time. They also have about 30 cats, a parrot, a tortoise, and a bearded dragon. Outside in the farm animal enclosures, Asher House has upwards of 26 horses, alpacas, goats, and pigs. The expansive property features 30 acres dedicated solely to the horses, with separate areas catering to horses with varying needs.
Asher House has a second location, focused on caring for dogs until they can be adopted. New Life Asher House is a 140-acre property where dogs can run free. This location has a thriving dog adoption program. Their website lists nearly 40 dogs of various ages and breeds, and they take in approximately 20 new dogs each month. The stable population at this new site includes horses, goats, pigs, and cows. They have an adoption center in Portland, where families can meet the dogs, complete the necessary paperwork, and bring a new dog home.
Oregon Humane Society
Salem Campus
4246 Turner Road SE, Salem
A vital part of the animal rescue operation in Salem, the Oregon Humane Society has a large facility in South Salem. Open daily, visitors can see the animals from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. every day. With multiple dog and cat rooms, as well as areas for other small animals, it’s easy to see why many visitors end up leaving with an animal.
The focus here is on dogs and cats, and last year, over 11,000 animals were adopted through the Oregon Humane Society from both the Salem and Portland facilities. They also operate a rehoming service and a lost and found pet website. In addition, they offer after-school clubs, a popular summer camp for kids in elementary and middle school, and numerous volunteer opportunities for people of all ages.
Friends of Felines
4157 Cherry Ave NE, Keizer
Friends of Felines is a small local “feline rescue and adoption organization and Community Spay & Neuter Clinic for cats & kittens.” Even though they aren’t one of the prominent organizations, they have a significant impact – last year, they spayed and neutered over 5,000 cats and helped more than 750 cats find adoptive homes. They are also an essential source for low-cost preventive feline care in their wellness clinics and their spaying and neutering surgeries.
Another service Friends of Felines offers is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for feral cats, who are “wild, unsocialized to humans, and not handleable.” Feral cats can be brought in humane cat traps and will be examined, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and given dewormer and flea treatment. In addition to the health services, they have many cats available for adoption. Due to their size, they cannot accommodate many new cats, but they do take in occasional strays, care for them, and then place them up for adoption. Anyone can get involved in helping care for these cats, either by volunteering at the site or by fostering kittens too young to be adopted.
Dogs and cats are the largest populations in these organizations, but there are also rabbits, birds, and even horses that are sometimes available for adoption. Whether you’re visiting these animal rescue organizations for some quality time with animals, looking for a new pet, or wanting to volunteer, spending time with animals is always worthwhile.
