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Speakers at Multnomah County meeting question MCAS euthanasia and use of Dolly’s Fund

October 10, 2025 | Multnomah County, Oregon


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Speakers at Multnomah County meeting question MCAS euthanasia and use of Dolly’s Fund
Public testimony at the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners meeting focused on Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) after multiple speakers questioned why a 15‑year‑old dog named Cali was euthanized despite available donated funds designated for medical care.

Anna Azuzkani (public commenter) summarized MCAS records and said Cali’s owner died on Sept. 8, 2025, and the dog was picked up the same day. A certified veterinary technician examined Cali on Sept. 12 and noted fatty masses and dental disease likely requiring extractions. Azuzkani said MCAS sought transfer options starting Sept. 16; staff recommended transfer on Sept. 22. On Sept. 23 a veterinarian documented “moderate to severe dental disease likely requiring three tooth extractions,” and assessed Cali’s quality of life as “okay” for a 15‑year‑old dog. Azuzkani said MCAS euthanized Cali on Sept. 25, 2025.

Speakers urged the county to use Dolly’s Fund — a restricted‑use account at MCAS earmarked for medical care — to pay for the dental treatment they said would have cost about $2,800. Azuzkani and Janice Then said Dolly’s Fund had a balance of $696,805 in August 2025 and asked whether space constraints, rather than medical necessity, influenced the euthanasia decision. Janice Then said frontline staff have left because of management decisions and urged better partnerships with local rescues, simpler transfer paperwork and expanded use of donated medical funds.

Both callers and in‑person speakers described MCAS being over capacity — “50 plus dogs” for over a month — and said local rescues face barriers when trying to pull animals for transfer, including deactivation protocols and a lack of video or behavior assessments. Janice Then recounted helping a surrendered dog years earlier who recovered and was adopted under earlier management practices; she urged reinstating volunteer and community involvement in screening and placement.

Speakers asked county leaders to explain whether MCAS euthanized animals for space and to outline how Dolly’s Fund is allocated. The board did not take formal action during public testimony. No MCAS staff spoke during this testimony period; speakers addressed the board in public comment and asked for an explanation and policy review.

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