Category Archives: Government Culture of Failure

MCAS Operations Manager Andrew Mathias and the euthanasia express: Killing Sassy

Leave a reply

After Erin Grahek, a case worker manager from the Department of Aging and Disabilities was transferred to MCAS as interim director, she promoted herself to the MCAS directorship in July 2022. Lacking all qualifications for the position she immediately abdicated her leadership role to the MCAS managers stating she would be the leader but would not lead.

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/02/21/animal-care-concerns-multnomah-county-troutdale-shelter

It meant she would be hood ornament on the car but the managers could own and drive the car as they pleased. Without accountability, expert professional input and oversight, the managers immediate took over the direction of the agency, destroying the public shelter’s mission fashioning and it to suit their preferences. Where there is a vacuum, power abuse thrive.

Re-making the euthanasia policies

Their first effort was to re-write the agency’s euthanasia guidelines to justify unnecessary killing. Then the “new” that they had create were referenced as dictating their behavior, a version of ‘I made me do it.‘ Putting it in writing gave it a false legitimacy. Members from the community were and are supposed to be part of the deciding euthanasia guidelines, they ignored that requirement as well. Erin Grahek’s abdication of her responsibilities is described in the referenced OPB article below.

Multnomah county animal shelter  drops language stating animals won’t be euthanized for space

Similar concerns were also referenced on KOIN News, February 2025

How the MCAS operations managers seized power

Operations manager Andrew Mathis along with his predecessor Marian Cannell, wrote up rules governing euthanasia dispositions. Then they justified their rules requiring euthanasia, rules that met no professional standards, by stating they were only following the rules they had created. Neither has a credible background in animal behavior. No community experts were invited to participate in creation of guidelines.

Then the managers gathered further control by restricting participation in Rounds Review, where euthanasia decisions are decided by limiting participation to other managers only the majority of whom have no relevant credentials, and the majority of whom are appointed by the Operations manager. They owe their advancement to him. Members include the special projects manager a realtor whose relevant animal experience is limited to once attending a seminar “ Dogs playing for life”; The Animal Health supervisor, a veterinary technician who supervises animal health including licensed veterinarians who must seek her approval for outside consultations with veterinary specialists; The Field Services supervisor in charge of enforcement; and animal care supervisors whose background does not include formal knowledge about animal behavior. Also the foster and the transfer coordinators and the enrichment specialist whose previous assignment was limited to cats are part of Rounds Review. It is a system not built on competence and expertise but upon cronyism.

MCAS has not adopted an assessment process based upon behavior science and potential risk equations. Instead animals are disregarded as family companions. They are regarded as nuisances, pests and liabilities whose lives are not deserving of consideration and are tried and convicted of “crimes” against people. They are convicted and killed despite humane alternatives that would prevent further incidents, including when surrendered, owner education because owners often create the challenges they see and then don’t know how to solve them.

MCAS is charged with owner education. Although MCAS is not mandated to take owner surrendered dogs, they do anyway. Operations Manager collects a $50 surrender fee and kills the overwhelming majority as soon as possible. He runs a pest control agency. Rarely is there any due diligence effort, no input from others is permitted regarding dispositions as once was the case, and there is no owner surrender counseling despite the fact that the majority of incidents almost always can be prevented in the future and very often the owner caused or contributed to the incident. Killing the dog does not solve ignorance. It just victimizes the dog. As one previous manager who acknowledged that concern worded it “We can’t kill the owners so we kill their dogs.”

Although the management has been asked by other authorities to provide and document reasons for euthanasia dispositions, the Operations manager complies by evasion. The stated reasons reference vague generalizations that could apply to any dog in the community. He is not going to be held accountable. A reader has to go to the records to try to assess the assessment.

Sassy, ID# 395532

Sassy, a 2 and a half year old American Pit bull/Stasffordshire Terrier mix owner surrendered on May 30,2026; killed three days later on June 2, 2026 with the automatic but almost always false label applied to every dog MCAS kills: Unhealthy and untreatable”

Rounds Review reasons for killing have become standard rote non specific fare, formulaic empty words falsely used to justify killing almost all dogs. Just slap a label on it; don’t provide objective specific evidence.

June 1, 2026, Rounds Review

“Rounds discussed and will move to humane euthanasia due to history of aggression in the home environment towards humans and other animals. Does not meet placement criteria. “

The statements above are thoughtless meaningless and could apply to any dog in fact dogs living safely in the community. It is another effort managers engage in to dodge responsibility: ‘Say nothing at all pretending something meaningful has been said.’ It is why the managers do not meet management criteria. And that continues to be the case.No one checks their work.

How MCAS managers fail animals and the public

In Sassy’s case and in nearly all other cases, there is no effort to collect confirming data or to corroborate the incident reports or consider alternatives. Due diligence has been abandoned. They go right to work seeking excuses to kill and animal.

Adopted by her family when she was a year and a half old, Sassy was described by her family as uniformly friendly and sweet-natured to everyone. But when her owner came home after a month’s hospitalization, Sassy’s behavior changed; She was described as becoming extremely protective of her owner, resource guarding her against other family members. Dogs do resource guard what they love and are afraid of losing. It is a challenge for which there are multiple effective interventions. It is not “unhealthy and untreatable.“ No interventions were tried.

Her owner’s sudden absence for a month was traumatic for Sassy. When her owner returned after a month, it is not surprising that Sassy resource guarded her. The representative for the family who surrendered Sassy to MCAS on May 30,2026 “ …described last night [May 29, 2026] where Carla had a medical emergence [sic] and fire and EMT came out. DENNIS described how emergency crews were trying to help CARLA and “Sassy” was just trying to attack everyone. DENNIs stated they eventually just opened the van door, “Sassy just jumped in and this is where they left the dog, until now.” (Complaint 308429, May 30, 2026).

The family was irresponsible, causing the incident. The responsible approach would have been to separate Sassy from the commotion, anxiety and chaos that automatically occurs in emergencies when EMT comes to the door. Sassy was doing what dogs do: protect their owners. There was no bite incident.

The family took Sassy and surrendered her to MCAS. The only lesson: if there is a problem, surrender your dog to Multnomah County’s cheapest dump site where the management will kill your dog for $50. No counseling; No questions asked.

The person surrendering Sassy to the pound described a previous history, none of which was addressed by MCAS. There were no questions. MCAS managers were building a case not seeking a humane solution. The representative for the family who surrendered Carla on behalf of the owner further “described a couple of older minor bites and a more significant one that occurred when a stranger tried to reach into CARLA’S car.” Dogs do defend property. MCAS did not ask about dates of historical incidents and what occurred other than minor. There are no quarantine notices on record suggesting minor nips/bites. It is unclear if these were nips/bites that broke the skin.

One of the described alleged prior incidents that occurred prior to her surrender was instigated according to the reporter when a family member tried to take away a cup of noodles Sassy had stolen. He reported he suffered some scratches that had since healed. But he had poorly managed the incident and unwittingly provoked it through his own actions. There are no quarantine notices on record suggesting minor nips/bites that did not require care. There was no effort to educate the family about resource guarding when crises are an opportunity to learn.

MCAS “Investigations”

The managers take dictation and ask no questions. They are collecting evidence to promote killing instead of humane solutions that preserve a dog’s life and public safety.

MCAS funded mission is education, prevention with a focus on counseling for pet retention and redemption. It is to reduce the numbers of animals being killed when humane alternatives exist. But MCAS provides no owner surrender counseling about interventions for example, for resource guarding, and no alternatives to surrender. It is just a $50 dump and run site for owners. The shelter has been turned into a cheap pet store and ready kill site for unwanted dogs.

It wasn’t always that way. Before 2000 then Director Hank Miggins did not take owner surrendered animals from the field. Even when a dog was taken to the pound in the interim, counseling was required before a surrender was formalized.

Over the years MCAS has lost all moral integrity and purpose. The managers serve only themselves. Without permission they have changed the agency mission to a self service agenda: High pay, multiple vacations, time off, and the practice of cronyism to keep it that way. They actively reject the funded mission they are assigned. And no one is Multnomah county government will hold them accountable.

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

Sassy’s records with private information redacted

MCAS Records_395532 Sassy-RedactedDownload

MCAS the $50 convenience euthanasia: One stop and shop center for Multnomah County; Louie

Leave a reply

Erin Grahek was named MCAS Director in July 2022, a director for Animal Services without any experience in animal welfare, left all policies and practices decision making to the managers.

The agency’s service mission, education and prevention, including providing training to its shelter animals was subverted by the managers to what they preferred: A 1950’s animal control model where all animals are viewed as potential public safety risks and, if “flawed,” are dealt with by expedient killing.

Blaming the animals, calling their deaths “necessary” to protect the public is the new county mission. No excuse is “too small.” No incompetence too small to protect.

Owner surrendered dogs

Owner surrendered dogs are particular victims of this system. For $50, without questions or review, MCAS will kill citizens’ dogs. It has become a particularly sought after cheap service by citizens because ethical veterinarians and professionals will not kill an animal as a convenience to an owner. MCAS, funded by public tax dollars, will.

Louie, an 8 year old dog, is one of those victims. His owner was unable to find anyone to euthanize Louie for him after a minor “at-large” preventable bite incident caused by owner carelessness. It meant he did not have to pay for a $200 Notice of Infraction, known by the public as an incentive for “Your money or your dog’s life.” Since the owner was at fault for the incident, it was a great deal for him to escape fine and responsibility for an at-large incident that did not result in significant harm, described by the victim as bites or scratches after he yelled at the dog to go away. After kicking him, Louie bit him on the shin.

Finalized Issue Control Summary May 18, 2026

May 24, 2026 “...Austin expressed interest in surrendering/opting for behavior euthanasia as opposed to PDD Level 4, closing complaint at this time.”

Louie’s behavior did not meet any professional standard for behavior euthanasia. The owner left the gate to the property open when passersby came by the property and Louie did what dogs do: Protect property.

Louie had been Austin’s dog for 7 of his 8 years. There are no prior bite reports

“... Austin stated that his dog has displayed aggressive behaviors in the past and was looking to getting the dog euthanized as the dog was older and he has a third child on the way and is concerned for his children’s safety.” On the surrender profile he checked: “ playful and easy going with children under 10.” He also checked “playful greeting strangers.“

MCAS asked no questions, not even about the obvious discrepancy above. They have become an owner surrender dump site for owners who no longer want their dogs or whose dogs have become inconvenient to their lives. MCAS never investigates claimed history; never asks questions, never counsels on alternatives to surrender. They are just a one stop drop off and kill animal control agency where animals are abandoned by owners for convenience euthanasia, the cheapest deal in town.

This is what the public pays the county for: The disposal and deaths of healthy dogs simply no longer wanted by their owners: The MCAS $50 drop off and kill special.

Louie’s records with private information redacted

MCAS Records_394512 Louie-RedactedDownload

MCAS’ Asilomar Guidelines

Assignment_of_Asilomar_GuidelinesDownload

The practice of sport of killing fearful dogs: Cola and Jubilee

Leave a reply

In February 2024, MCAS managers lowered the bar for euthanasia dispositions to accommodate their singular lack of initiative, caring, effort, and service to the public good. They did so without public permission or expert review. Frightened shelter animals have paid the price. Responsibility for their deaths is disowned by labeling all unwanted animals “unhealthy and untreatable” when all of the evidence is to the contrary: healthy but scared, or treatable, manageable and rehabilitatable.

“The shelter will never euthanize an animal due to space constraints and only considers euthanasia as an option for animals deemed dangerous.” — Margi Bradway, director of the Department of Community Services

MCAS kills animals without cause all of the time in management sessions. These meetings are closed to experts, rescues, volunteers and staff, who once attended and were part of decisions. It is an abuse of power, but MCAS is never held to account.

Cola MCAS 386348 and Jubilee MCAS 386349, 10 month old American Shelter Dogs

Cola ID# 386348 and Jubilee ID# 386349, both 10 month old American Shelter Dogs, were brought into MCAS on February 25 by a Good Samaritan who found them on an exit off I-205. The Good Samaritan reported she leashed and got them into her car easily. They were killed a week later with Cola killed on March 8, and Jubilee on March 5, 2026. Both were reported to be “unhealthy and untreatable.”

No one would consider 7 days a genuine “trial” effort. The reasons listed by the management for killing them speak to a management culture of explicit incompetence and indifference. Excuses replace solutions. When a professional in a public position of authority doesn’t know what to do, they seek expert advice, such as on how to deal with avoidant fearful dogs. Killing the animal is never the first choice.

Cola, ID# 386348, a 10 month old American Shelter Dog

March 7, 2026, Rounds Review:

“Rounds discussed and will move to humane euthanasia due to sustained levels of fear, lack of progress in the shelter that result in poor quality of life.”

It was a litany of uninspired excuses.

Cola was not afraid before coming to MCAS. MCAS is a terrifying agency for most dogs. It is an environment characterized by a bombardment of constant toxic levels of noise, deprivation of proper care (few outings, socialization and exercise opportunities) addressed only by escalating levels of psychotropics.

MCAS director Erin Grahek, no longer contracts with trainers or veterinary behaviorists, as was once practiced. Since that is an irrational position, it can only be surmised to be driven by opposition to questioning the shelter’s decisions about animal dispositions.

For example, when staff does not know how to manage fearful dogs, don’t pursue a fleeing animal, teach them. ‘Data collection times 3’ is doing the same thing over and over again seeking a different result. That’s not a plan, nor is it an “intervention.”

These are the last entry notes before Cola was ordered killed. It was his first priority walk to be followed up on March 6, 2026 after which he was ordered euthanized.

March 6, 2026, Priority Walk:

“I met Cola at his inside intake kennel. He greeted me at the gate with whale eyes, tense body, and fast tail wags to the left. He accepted a piece of hot dog from my hand through the gate, but immediately darted away, defensive barking and weight on his back legs. I decided to go around to the outside kennel and close in the dogs around him to see if that would decrease his FAS [Fear, anxiety, stress]. He greeted me the same way at his outside kennel, taking tossed hot dog and then immediately running away while defensive barking.

I entered the kennel and crouched low to the ground, placing pieces of hot dog to the right and left of me, at decreasing distances from me each time. He eventually was able to take a treat from my hand. At this point, introduced the leash to him, laying it on the ground next to a couple of treats. He took the treats and sniffed the leash once before darting away. I decided to use a treat lure with a long piece of hot dog to keep distance from his mouth and my hand.

When I presented the slip leash near his head, he immediately tensed and froze, lip curled, and then snapped at the leash, making brief contact with it but not holding on. On the second attempted [sic] he snapped at and bit the hot dog, at which point he he realized it was yummy and decided to start cautiously eating it. I was able to slide the slip lead over his head. He immediately started slinking/crawling towards the door.

We exited the kennel with him darting back and forth frantically in front and behind me, body low to the ground, ears pinned back, and whale eyes. Every so often he would pancake to the ground and some light leash pressure would get him moving again. We walked by SB and Maximus, at upper agility to which he had no reaction – remained tense, whale eyes, tucked tail, etc. We made our way down to agility at which point he he half laid/crouched down and peed all over himself and then sat in it- frozen in fear and not wanting to move.

A train was going by at this point which startled him. After it passed, he began walking again and was able to eat a bite of hot dog off of the ground. He continued walking in the same manner back to his kennel. In his kennel he frantically avoided me, giving me side whale eye with tense low body and tucked tail- nor accepted treats on the ground. I decided to leave the slip lead on him for the moment given his high FAS and reaction when I placed it earlier. I then exited the kennel. As soon as I left, he began to eat the treats I left on the ground.”

Forcing a fearful dog to perform violates common sense and every professional guideline. Cola did the best he could. He likely would have thrived in foster care. His life was safer on the streets than in the shelter.

Jubilee, ID# 386349, a 10 months old American Shelter Dog

Jubilee had an even more cursory review before he too was killed.

March 5, 2026, Rounds Review:

“Rounds discussed and will move to humane euthanasia due to severe fearful behaviors that result in frantic attempts to escape human contact to the point of causing self harm”

That was one incident on March 2, 2026 that did not result in self harm, and was the result of gross mismanagement.

March 2, 2026, Behavior Notes:

“Pet was separated from kennel mates on back side of intake. As I entered, pet retreated to the back corner, occasionally stomping forward and barking with stiff body language. While moving in with a leash, pet jumped up towards the window and was able to climb through, leading to the top of the kennels. He remained avoidant and it took multiple staff members to corral him. He was then leashed and wrapped in a blanket and safely removed from the kennels.”

Terrifying and cornering an animal is not how anyone attempts to get a helpless fearful dog out of a kennel.

After 3 data collections on consecutive days, (March 2, 3, and 4) Jubilee was ordered killed. On each day Jubilee would hesitantly alternate between approach and avoidance, never displaying aggressive behaviors.

March 4, 2026, Data Collection:

“I entered the inside of kennel. All three dogs were against the side wall, and gave some nervous whining growls and barks. I sat down a few feet from them and began treating. Jubilee stayed between the two other dogs, but would stretch forward to take treats from hand or off the ground. He would push in front of his kennel mates to take them, and climb over Cola (386348) on one or two occasions. If I attempted to move closer to them, or when I pat [sic] the ground next to me he began growling and barked a few times, while shying away. After sitting and treating for several minutes I ended interaction.”

An empirical analysis of MCAS euthanasia dispositions

Instead of meeting challenges, MCAS kills the victims. Animals are pre-selected for euthanasia if they do not meet the Operations Manager’s goal of speedy entrance and exit, maximizing efficiency with a focus on inventory management, not public service. Any animal with even a minimum challenge requiring any effort is pre-selected for euthanasia. The search begins for “reasons,” then takes isolated events out of context in order to opportunistically justify killing. A killing that is then labeled as “unhealthy and untreatable.” Its a slick game.

The rest of the Rounds Review go along to get along. Some owe their management promotions to the Operations Manager. What matters is the survival of their collegiate culture, not public service or the lives of shelter animals. The trains run on time.

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

Cola’s MCAS records, private information redacted

MCAS Records_386348 ColaDownload

Jubilee’s MCAS records, private information redacted

MCAS Records_386349 JubileeDownload

MCAS’ old Euthanasia policy: “Animals will never be euthanized for lack of space in the shelter.”

Euthanasia Policy–Nov 2018Download

MCAS’ current Euthanasia policy: Omitting the language that animals won’t be euthanized from lack of shelter space.

MCAS Euthanasia Policy 2-Euthanizing for spaceDownload

How to Train a Fearful Dog

Leash Training for Fearful Dogs: Parts 1 and 2 from Dog Kind Training.com
https://www.dogkindtraining.com/blog/leash-training-part-1
https://www.dogkindtraining.com/blog/leash-training-for-fearful-dogs-part-2

The destruction of MCAS progressive sheltering: Dismantling all checks and balances

Leave a reply

A History

  • The 2000 MCAS Citizens MCAS Task Force chaired by Dove Lewis, directed the county to charter a process for progressive humane sheltering at MCAS. It emphasized and incorporated the community’s values and included participants from the community including veterinarians as major participants. It was about ending the needless killing of companion animals. Animals were not to be put to death unless they were irremediably suffering or had a behavior challenge that even after behavior interventions presented a serious public safety risk.

The implementation of humane sheltering charter included:

  • An MCAS shelter Review Committee

The committee included staff, volunteers, rescues, interested citizens, and, twice a month, a diplomate in behavioral veterinary medicine attended. The diplomate in behavioral veterinary medicine also was on contract to provide animal behavior advice on various agency cases.

The Shelter Review Committees meetings were conducted as open public sessions. Their goal was to seek options and solutions for animals in need. It was not to kill them.

  • October 2015: The dismantling of the citizens’ task force directive for humane sheltering

The dismantling of MCAS’ humane sheltering mission began with the hiring of Jackie Rose as MCAS Director in late October 2015. Behind closed doors and without scrutiny, Director Jackie Rose created policies contrary to humane sheltering. These policies are still in place today. Director Rose created an authoritarian agency, removing by fiat all public participation and an open democratic decision making process.

The Shelter Review meetings became a private affair: managers only. Decisions about euthanasia no longer permitted public, staff, volunteer or expert participation or input. In new policy statements, staff, citizens and volunteers were denied any say in euthanasia decisions and told they were not permitted to explore options. Meetings once held weekly, during which animal dispositions were discussed and reviewed, now could occur at any time any day of the week. No quorum was required. A pilot behavior and training program, initiated by staff and volunteers to train dogs with special needs to become adoptable, was shut down without explanation or notice.

  • April 2019: Jackie Rose left to assume the directorship of Ventura California Animal Control after a 2016 and 2018 poor performance audits. Jackie Rose was ousted ‘retired with honors’ from Ventura Animal Control late 2023 after community backlash over precisely the same leadership she showed in MCAS, beginning with the unjust euthanasia of a specific dog.
  • February 2020: MCAS Client Services Supervisor Wade Sadler took over as acting director, an assignment made permanent shortly after a hasty public advertisement for the director’s position. There was no credible search for a replacement. The directorship was handed down. The failed policies and practices created by Jackie Rose continued under Wade Sadler.
  • July 2022: Erin Grahek, a former case manager after failing to advance at the Department of Aging and Disabilities, was appointed acting MCAS director and assumed the directorship permanently in July 2022 during the height of an animal care crisis at MCAS. The external search for a director was cursory and short.

While acknowledging her lack of experience (never having served in any capacity in animal services or welfare), Erin Grahek assured the public she would lead by deferring her power and authority to the agency managers.

“Grahek didn’t come to Animal Services with any animal welfare experience. ‘ I will bring on strong professionals who have the animal welfare background that I don’t, and marry that with my experience as a manager and a leader in Multnomah County,’ Grahek said.”

Under their direction, given the creation of a power vacuum, managers replaced the goals of pet redemption and retention with pre-select adoptions marked by significant returns. They dismantled and removed the entire support system for pet retention and redemption: Emergency Board and Pets in Crisis, advising citizens it was not their job. ‘They were not a hotel.’ No official permission was sought for their unilateral change in the agency’s mission from pet retention and redemption to cheap animal sales.

At the same time animal care was undermined, animals with medical care, behavior or other concerns were assigned waivers disowning all responsibility. Fear waivers most often reflect agency conditions for which MCAS is responsible. Now it’s the animal’s “fault,” not the agency’s responsibility.

Dolly’s Fund, a public fund restricted to the special medical care needs of shelter is seldom accessed for animals anymore. If a rescue will not take them, they are killed or adopted with waivers. All compassion for vulnerable animals has vanished. The managers ended medical and hospice fosters. If they cannot be transferred they are killed.

MCAS euthanasia policies were unilaterally changed by the managers. When they failed to succeed at their assignment, they lowered the bar to allow themselves to count failure as success.

Multnomah county animal shelter  drops language stating animals won’t be euthanized for space.

Readers respond: don’t believe euthanasia assurances.

No input from others invested in an animal’s life is permitted. The process is not open. The term ‘Shelter Review’ has been renamed ‘Rounds Review’ for a process that has nothing in common with hospital rounds review among professionals. Euthanasia decisions continue to be decided by managers without any background in animal behavior, science or training. The statements made justifying euthanasia for any given animal in nearly every record defy the facts, professional decision making and risk assessment processes. Animals are killed as “unhealthy and untreatable” when they are not. It is a deliberate and a self serving deception intended to mislead the public and conceal their failures. Only the animals are victims and pay the price.

MCAS continues to fail. The leadership is authoritarian. Management is largely selected through a process of nepotism not qualifications.

That is the challenge County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, the Board of Multnomah County Commissioners and Department of Community Services Director Margi Bradway face: Either honor public service and the lives of shelter animals in their care or to capitulate to management welfare and failure.

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

Public testimony: negligence and deprivation of proper veterinary care at MCAS

Leave a reply

The escalation of animal deaths at MCAS

Aside from the practice of labeling every unwanted dog “unhealthy and untreatable” to dispose of them, MCAS deaths are also increasing because of negligent animal care practices.  

Several years ago  Director Erin Grahek and the MCAS Operation managers created an Animal Health Supervisor position and filled the position with an onsite veterinary technician. When asked why that was the choice, not a  licensed veterinarian, then Operations Manager, Marian Cannell responded, “Because I like her.” 

Veterinary assistants and technicians without supervision  now routinely diagnose, prescribe, and create treatment plans.

MCAS has 3 on-site licensed veterinarians, none in a supervisory role. A licensed veterinarian must be in charge of animal health. The Veterinary Practice Act requires that “all duties of a veterinary technician must be performed under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian (ORS 686.030).” Further, any party who diagnosis, prescribes and treats animals must be a licensed veterinarian (OAR 875-030-0045, Unprofessional of Dishonorable Conduct for Certified Veterinary Technicians). This is the explicit list of what a Certified Veterinary Technician may do while under mandatory supervision by a licensed veterinarian.

  • Bruce MCAS 380925 was diagnosed and treated with Cerenia and bland food for his symptoms by a certified veterinary technician with the approval of the animal care supervisor. He was found dead in his kennel the following day. The, after the fact, likely diagnosis was described as bloat following an informal necropsy conducted by an on site veterinarian who was not part of his treatment plan.  
  • Sir Lunch-a-Lot MCAS 380917 featured in the testimony link above  died from undiagnosed pneumonia, a preventable death  No on-site veterinarian was part of his care. It wasn’t a mistake. Its malpractice. 

The current policies and practices at MCAS ensure that needless deaths of shelter animals will continue.

These are not “isolated cases.” They occur week after week.  

Will Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and the county commissioners act? “Business as usual” has been to do nothing and to protect the management… at the expense of animals’ lives and public service. 

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

Public Testimony Transcript, Sir Lunch-A-Lot

Sir Lunch A Lot testimonyDownload

Sir Lunch-a-lot’s records, owner info redacted

MCAS Records_380971 Sir Lunch-A-Lot-RedactedDownload

Bruce’s records, owner info redacted

MCAS Records_380925 Bruce-RedactedDownload

ORS and OAR regarding Veterinary medicine

ORS and OAR regarding vetrinary medicineDownload

MCAS job descriptions for: Medical Director, Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Technician, and Animal Technician 1 & 2.

MCAS job descriptionsDownload

Multnomah County Animal Services Organizational Chart

Animal_Services_Org_Chart_1.27.26Download

The MCAS Troutdale Ostrich: Everything is Fine

Leave a reply

Notable Accomplishments / Recognition

Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) has an intake of over 7,000 animals per year, and has maintained a high live-release rate for shelter animals even with the trend of increasing intakes. Monthly and annual reports for the division are available online, including all intakes and outcomes, and veterinary services provided for the animals.

“A Dynamic Workplace: No two days are the same! We’re always learning and improving…”

The agency’s alleged live release rate does not accurately reflect reality. The reported live release rate is inflated by numerous variables including significant adoption returns. As in, a unique animal being adopted, then returned, then adopted out again means that that animal contributes ‘2’ counts to their live release rate. This is setting aside that a live release rate does not reflect care or housing conditions at MCAS. What MCAS has steadily maintained is a high lie release rate – Where indeed no two days are ever the same.

The agency’s specialties are propaganda and distraction intended to shimmy out of accountability. The evidence is clear throughout records, public experience, and commentary. One must go through the propaganda front first.

These are just a few recent highlights from last week’s records

Deprivation of animal care: The willful abandonment of animals’ emotional and social well being

MCAS Director Grahek and Operations Manager Andrew Mathias systematically continue to fail to meet even the minimum requirements for shelter animal’s mental health and well being (Beyond Food and Water … “Open Paw’s Minimal Mental Health Requirements for Dogs”). They dismantled programs once in place that worked: Regular exercise and enrichment outings into the community; Weekly adoption outreach events; ongoing behavior and training programs to engage animals and improve their lives.

An absence of volunteers

Volunteers are critical to animal welfare. The numbers of volunteers are low compared to animal intake numbers.

On the February 3, 2026 Intake Inventory there were 41 dogs in the adoption kennels; 41 dogs in Intake (including 2 dogs on Security). That means 80 dogs, (less 2 on Security who are generally not walked), needing consistent exercise, enrichment, and walks outside the toxic kennel environment. 40 volunteers dedicated to walking dogs is a very low number.

Those numbers are critically low because MCAS is also a toxic environment for volunteers, not just animals. Often a positive feedback cycle occurs where lack of enrichment and exercise escalate animal stress. Often animals become frantic with the stress of constant confinement. MCAS will warn volunteers to not walk animals if they are uncomfortable when an animal becomes distressed but the managers do nothing to create a safe world for volunteers, staff or animals. The single intervention is copious medication. MCAS will only treat stress with escalating levels of psychotropics, a practice once commonplace at orphanages and any facility where vulnerable populations were housed without oversight. MCAS will solve these concerns with excuses exonerating themselves, not solutions. Creative fiction is their forte.

Volunteer numbers
December 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
Dog Walking: 40 volunteers
Dog walking Hands On training: 1

January 1, 2026 to January 31, 2026
Dog Walking: 38 volunteers
Dog walking Hands On training: 4

MCAS spay neuter and in house breeding program

MCAS continues to fail to spay and neuter every companion animal that is adopted to the public, alleging as one irrelevant distraction (Look here, not there) that more unspayed and unneutered companion animals are being taken in as strays since past history so please excuse them. No, that is not the point. We are speaking about dogs adopted out, not total intake. It’s their job. The fact that the management can’t do their assigned work for overwhelmingly generous salaries and benefits means they are incompetent. Incompetence is inexcusable. The public should not be paying for a management on work disability welfare program.

MCAS in-house breeding program

Miss Wolfie, ID#381469

Dogs Playing for Life is a nationally recognized program intended to relieve shelter stress. At MCAS it has been redirected and diverted to being used as a stressful test of dog compatibility. Dogs are randomly assigned to play groups that often in fact create additional stress. That is especially true if a female dog in heat is included among several unaltered male and female dogs. It creates disruption and conflict. The practice continues. The only tools used to intervene in spontaneous conflicts are spray bottles and shaker cans, tools that are fairly useless when fights occur.

Miss Wolfie’s record, January 28, 2026, Playgroup,

“Behavior Notes:…We have noted potential conflict drive with other females, which may possibly be due to her being in heat.”

Why put dogs in heat in play groups unless you want to provoke a fight? Almost as an afterthought, Miss Wolfie was spayed after the in heat group play two days later on January 30,2026

Saving Dolly’s Fund restricted to the special medical needs of shelter animals; Depriving animals of critical medical care

Clifford, ID#380920

MCAS continues to deprive animals of critical medical care. The funds are readily available through Dolly’s Fund but they dodge that fact and their responsibility by issuing waivers, disowning any responsibility for that care. Adopters adopt the dog ‘as is.’ Waivers virtually insure that that care will rarely be received because few citizens who adopt an MCAS dog for low fees will pay for additional future medical expenses.

How cheap can the managers be? Very cheap. They advertise an animal with a handicap that assuredly will require medical attention in the near future as “charming.” In Clifford’s case the managers attached a waiver for cleft palate.

After rescues including the Oregon Humane Society, declined to take Clifford, and after he was an adoption return, the management asked the on site primary care veterinarian to perform the cleft palate repair surgery. It is very clear from the clinical veterinary literature that surgery for cleft palate requires advanced specialized surgical training. MCAS deliberately elected to fail both Clifford and the MCAS primary care veterinarian, instead setting both up to fail with their request that the in house veterinarian do the surgery that she was unqualified to perform and that could be easily paid for from Dolly’s Fund.

It wasn’t enough to ask OHS once. They were bound and determined to save Dolly’s Fund.

January 26, 2026

“OHS declined again as they do NOT take cleft palates, cleft lips, or oronasal fistulas.”

MCAS managers view shelter animals’ lives as not worth the effort, not worth saving or improving their lives. Their dishonesty and evasiveness in every area speak to a culture that has been totally corrupted.

When no medical transfers accepted Clifford, MCAS made Clifford available for adoption with a waiver with the veterinary statement that while currently Clifford seemed to be able to eat and drink adequately and “there is no sign of inflammation/infection involving the congenital defect at this time.” It was also noted that “Dog will likely be more prone to infection involving the nasal cavity and aspiration over the course of his life than typical dogs.”

That is a very conservative observation, an understatement at best. The likelihood that Clifford will develop serious medical concerns is in fact assured when one reads through the current available veterinary medical literature.

“…Dogs with a cleft palate often develop serious medical issues like aspiration pneumonia if the condition is not corrected, usually with surgery.”

But MCAS will not correct medical conditions with funds the public continues to donate for that purpose. Instead animals with treatable special medical conditions are killed or are placed on pain management while other rescues are sought as the MCAS managers sit on Dolly’s Fund as if it were a personal bequest for their use for unknown purposes.

The County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and the Board of County Commissioners have allowed government sponsored animal abuse with public funds and have by looking away endorsed it. 

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

Miss Wolfie’s records, owner info redacted

MCAS Records_381469 Miss Wolfie-RedactedDownload

Clifford’s records, owner info redacted

MCAS Records_380920 Clifford-RedactedDownload

Beyond Food and Water, Kelly Gorman, CPDT, Whole Dog Journal, July 2004

Behavior_Beyond Food and Water_Whole-dog-journalDownload

MCAS December 2025 Volunteer Hours report

December_2025_volunteer_reportDownload

MCAS January 2026 Volunteer Hours report

January_2026_Volunteer_HoursDownload

Multnomah County Board Resolution 2015-024; Dolly’s Fund founding resolution

Multnomah County Board Resolution (Budget; MCAS Restricted Funds) 2015-024Download

MCAS’ Official Dolly’s Fund donation information

Dolly’s Fund MCAS OfficialDownload

How MCAS harms animals and profits from adoption failure:  Cece’s story

Leave a reply

Cece (aka Lacey), ID# 366227

Every adoption failure is a new intake, inflating intake numbers and has the potential effect of inflating live release rates. An animal adopted six times is numerically registered no differently than six dogs adopted once.  MCAS is not troubled by adoption failures.

Dogs repeatedly adopted out from MCAS suffer. Adoption returns are an indictment of MCAS’ irresponsible adoption system, one that leads to re-cycling animals over and over again, each time, adding disclaimer liability waivers upon returns, instead of creating intervention plans to remedy the concerns if noted. The solutions to decrease adoption returns would be responsible adoption standards at the outset that protect an animal’s welfare, and also addressing any behavior challenges that emerge after impoundment. This is a demographic often found stray and abandoned on the streets, or whose owners are in crisis so their dogs are sometimes traumatized too. Lax standards and refusing to implement behavior training programs for an often vulnerable population , have led to increased returns and harm the population the leaders are charged with protecting.

Cece MCAS 366227, a one year old black and white American Shelter Dog mix, is only one case among many when animals pay the price for MCAS leadership failures. Cece had been impounded at MCAS on September 02, 2025 after being abandoned with the finder for 6 days.

Her adoption advertisement is full of promise:

Meet Lacey [Cece], a spirited and sweet girl who is ready to find her forever home! This active and intelligent young dog is full of potential and eager to learn. At just over a year, she is at the perfect stage for training and would thrive in a home committed to helping her reach her full potential. [Cece] is a total socialite who loves to play, go on adventures, and enjoy a good cuddle session after a long day of fun. Because she loves being part of the pack, she can get a bit anxious when left alone; she would do best with a family that is home often to keep her company. She may also do better in a home with another dog to help her feel confident and secure! If you’re looking for a loyal companion to join you on hikes, training classes, and cozy nights in, [Cece] might be the perfect match for you. Come meet this wonderful pup and see if she’s the missing piece to your family!“

Cece has been in and out of MCAS since September 2, 2025, adopted three times and returned three times. Her history of adoptions make clear a lack of commitment by MCAS to hold themselves and adopters accountable to any professional standards. MCAS instead of addressing behavior challenges or concerns with behavior interventions has instituted a system of waivers disowning all responsibility. Cece has a separation anxiety waiver, earned as a result of repeated failed adoptions. 

Adoption history-

Adopted September 6, 2025 for $25

Adoption return September 7, 2025

Notes mention that the adopter had previously returned a different MCAS shelter dog, Broccolini.

Primary reason: “Returned after 24 hours in the home due to landlord saying no… AO reported no issues with dog in the home.”

In the past, with a far greater intake that included cats as well as dogs, MCAS managers conducted landlord checks.

Adopted September 9, 2025 for $25

Adoption return September 25, 2025

Primary reason: “Broke out of wire crate and chewed up carpet and other items around home. AO lives in an apartment and can’t afford to replace/repair any more damages.” Also described as “chewy and rambunctious.”

MCAS does not call or check on how an adoption is succeeding and does not encourage adopters to call with adoption questions unless these are veterinary medical concerns and occur within the first two weeks. Adopters are advised to seek help elsewhere for behavior challenges and/or to read the waivers.

Adopted September 30, 2025 for $25

On October 6, 2025 the adopter called with concerns about Cece’s experiencing episodes of wheezing and gasping for air. The onsite veterinarian diagnosed this as probable canine infectious respiratory disease, a commonplace adoption special.

Adoption return January 16, 2026 for:

–Separation anxiety leading to property destruction. The single intervention was two psychotropic medications: Gabapentin and Trazodone but psychotropics only reduce anxiety without creating alternative behaviors to establish confidence when home alone. Socialization and training build confidence. If affordable, day care is one option.

–Escape artist: “Said to try to escape wire crate by working at the front locks and pushing against the door but has been unsuccessful at escaping. Has been able to open the front door of the home…”

–Jumpy Mouthy: “History of jumpy/mouthy behavior in the home since adoption. She can easily become overstimulated when meeting new people, petting or in play and quick to escalate to causing bruises and abrasions from her paws to AO with only 2 puncture wounds shown to me…”

The adopter who returned Cece advised as a behavior correction that “if you need to get something away from her you need to wrench it out of her mouth.”

There are behavior training protocols to address encouraging dogs to release items, separation anxiety and jumpy mouthy behaviors but MCAS will not teach them on site to improve an animal’s life and adoption prospects. Nor do they provide positive behavior training protocols or videos to adopters.

Additional history: Cece’s most recent adopter was reported on December 18, 2025 by a witness to have punched Cece in the face. (Finalized Animal Control Issue Summary 304814, December 18, 2025).

An MCAS officer investigated. The witness reported multiple concerning incidents, in this case on December 26, 2025 the witness:

 “saw the AO lift the dog off of the ground by its prong collar, then punch the dog in the right side of the face…” The MCAS adopter “was upset as she believes MCAS mis represented the dogs breed and that she is dealing with Belgian Malinois. I asked MCBRIDE if she had done any training. MCBRIDE said that she had not due to spending all her money on vets and medications… MCBRIDE then spoke again about her issues in being able to control CECE. She believes she [CECE] would be best rehomed or euthanized.”

Cece’s owner admitted to having struck and was advised by the officer that physical reprimands were not acceptable. He also encouraged Cece’s owner to enroll in training classes (an option rejected earlier) and informed her that she had the option of surrendering Cece. He gave her a muzzle and left. The case was marked closed “with education.”  A muzzle and encouragement about training do not correct confirmed animal cruelty or an owner’s own anger management behavior challenge. No citation for “physically mistreat” was issued. Cece was left in harm’s way.

When her adopter returned Cece on January 16, 2026, it was unclear if Cece had been spayed or not. There was no January 16, Intake exam provided in this public record.

MCAS puts shelter animals at risk. Their view is that adopters are the customer and are always right. Abuse is met with “education” if it is met at all. Cece has highly correctable young untutored dog common place challenges, exacerbated by her adopters who had no behavior management skills: Jumpy mouthy conduct , separation anxieties and leash reactivity that MCAS will not address except with waivers to pass onto the next adopter.

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

Cece’s MCAS records, owner details redacted

MCAS Records_366227 Cece (Lacey)-RedactedDownload

Behavior_Beyond Food and Water by Kelly Gorman, CPDT, Whole Dog Journal, July 2004

Behavior_Beyond Food and Water_Whole-dog-journalDownload

Excitable Boy by Jill Brietner, Whole Dog Journal, March 2018

Excitable Boy-Jill Brietner_Whole Dog Journal-March 2018Download

Keep Calm First You Need to Get Him Calm by Pat Miller CBCC-KA CPDT-KA, Whole Dog Journal, September 2017

Keep Calm First You Need to Get Him Calm -Pat Miller CBCC-KA CPDT-KA_Whole Dog Journal-September 2017Download

Medications for Anxiety by Eileen Fatcheric DVM, Whole Dog Journal, March 2022

Medications for Anxiety-Eileen Fatcheric DVM_Whole Dog Journal-March 2022Download

Pets From Hell-You can make an unruly pet behave by Julie Weingarden, Ladies Home Journal, June 2000

Pets From Hell-You can make an unruly pet behave-Ladies Home Journal_June 2000Download

Separation Anxiety by Malena Demartini and Maia Huff-Owen KPA-CTP CSAT, Whole Dog Journal, March 2022

Separation Anxiety-Malena Demartini and Maia Huff-Owen KPA-CTP CSAT_Whole Dog Journal-March 2022Download

Surviving Severe Separation Anxiety by Sandi Thompson CPDT-KA, Whole Dog Journal, September 2012

Surviving Severe Separation Anxiety-Sandi Thompson CPDT-KA_Whole Dog Journal-September 2012Download

Propaganda instead of progress as MCAS tries to distract from failure

Leave a reply

“Remember, a dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim upstream.”  — W. C. Fields

MCAS has opted out of course-correction with diversionary propaganda. These are two recent examples of events described as “news” that distract attention away from their failure to help animals in their care at all. None involve animals.

Example 1:

“Fantastic newly wrapped transport vans, thanks to the incredible generosity of Friends of Multnomah County Shelter Animals, and our community!…”

“New Wheels, New Look: Thank You for Making Our Transport Vans Shine!”

 Jul. 17, 2025

“We’re thrilled to announce that MCAS is sporting some fantastic newly wrapped transport vans, thanks to the incredible generosity of Friends of Multnomah County Shelter Animals, and our community!

Thank you for Making our Transport Vans Shine!”


MCAS provides the Friends of Multnomah County Shelter Animals with a wish list. MCAS singularly uses micro-chips in its restricted pet redemption efforts. Its pet redemption rate is the lowest in decades for many reasons. Microchips for those who cannot afford them were not on the list.

Example 2: Rare outreach events that do not include animals up for adoption or in need of foster care. This one features costumed pets! But not from MCAS.

Outreach Event: Wood Village Pumpkin Fest

Date and Time

Sat, Oct. 25, 2025
 11:00 am –– 1:00 pm

Join us at the 10th Annual Wood Village Pumpkin Fest at Donald L. Robertson City Park. Pumpkin Fest is an art and cultural event featuring pumpkins, a pet costume contest, and a Trunk-Or-Treat!

Tags 
Outreach Event
READ MORE

During Michael Oswald’s directorship adoption outreach events occurred every week with fewer managers, a smaller budget and a far greater intake that included cats, not just “cats in danger.” A significant number of MCAS adoptions occurred at weekly outreach events. Now even with fancy new vans MCAS cannot make it to the fair. It is a mile too far.


Gail O’Connell-Babcock

The power of cronyism and corruption: How Multnomah County perpetuates failure

Leave a reply

Failure is built into MCAS government when cronyism replaces public service, where contrary opinions are designated as ‘unprofessional’ or ‘undermining the mission.’

The recent advancement of Andrew Mathias from Animal Care Supervisor to Operations Manager at MCAS by Director Erin Grahek and Director of Community Services Margi Bradway represents an enormous betrayal of public trust. Andrew Mathias, originally hired by former Director Jackie Rose, collaborated with Jackie Rose to reverse all humane policies and public participation at MCAS. He personally ended Open Paw, a program intended to reduce shelter stress, deprived animals of needed care, and was instrumental, along with former Director Rose, in trivializing the 2018 Audit recommendations, and developed the “waiver” system that disowning all responsibility for all animal care (Kennel Cough waivers, Fear Waivers, Handling Waivers, etc.).

“Longtime volunteer Kelley Sherman and former volunteer Debbi Stegemeyer remembered Andrew Mathias, one of the shelter’s two animal care supervisors, telling volunteers at a meeting shortly after the 2018 audit was released that they didn’t have to worry about its findings. ‘I want you all to know that MCAS is already doing good enough,’ Sherman recalled Mathias saying. Mathias declined to comment to The Oregonian/OregonLive.”

Andrew Mathias applied to the position of Operations Manager in July 2022, but was rejected as a candidate due to an implicit lack of shelter and animal experience alongside administrative leadership skills. Skills that he has not developed since July 2022, based on repeated management failures documented by local media, no matter what scapegoats the shelter may create.

“From: Jamie Waltz
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2022 8:25 AM PDT
To: Erin Grahek
Subject: Re: Shelter Manager Next steps
Thank you for having this conversation with Andrew.
Jamie
On Fri, Jul 15, 2022 at 5:01 PM Erin Grahek <erin.grahek@multco.us> wrote:

Thanks for all of your support in this process. I met with Andrew a
few minutes ago and let him know that I was not going to be
offering him the position. I did say that Heather would be a good
source of interview feedback, having been on both panels.
I told him that I wanted to continue to explore and find a candidate
that had good shelter/animal experience and organization skills and
the higher level of management experience and strategic visioning
skills. That I really see this position being a support to the
management team and the director, therefore needing to be a
both/and candidate.

He seemed to take it well, we had a good talk. We will see.
Take care and have a good weekend.”

The slow slide to failure that began long ago accelerated rapidly in 2016 when Jackie Rose was appointed director, or rather, as dictator.  Ms Rose, unsupervised, reformed all policies, concentrating power in her own and managers hands, leaving workers, citizens, rescues and expert consultants powerless.  Those policies, all unexamined, remain in place today.  They have created a collective culture of unchecked arrogant entitlement. These are some examples:

  • Once, owners who had surrendered their impounded dogs while in a state of emotional distress were permitted to reclaim them with the appropriate infraction ticket and corrective restrictions if a violation had occurred. Now, within minutes, they have no right to reclaim. It is entirely up to the management’s discretion. There are no rights to appeal.

  • Experienced rescues are forbidden to appeal euthanasia decisions by the Shelter Review Committee, a group of in-house managers with limited animal behavior backgrounds or rehabilitation experience.   MCAS now permits no discussion and refuses to listen to options that will save animals’ lives without any risk to the public. In every case a process that will save lives has been replaced by policies dictated by a corrupting absolute power.

  • The new volunteer policy manual warns volunteers to not question  management judgments to kill specific animals, nor disclose these dispositions to the public, nor  advocate for animals when they saw a decision they believed was unjust or there would be consequences, designating such actions as “unprofessional” or “undermining the mission of MCAS.”

2024 MCAS Volunteer Handbook

“Volunteers are expected to act professionally at all times when engaging in MCAS
activities. This includes adhering to, and showing support of, the policies and directives of MCAS staff and refraining from allowing conflicting personal views to overshadow the expertise and purpose of MCAS…” (Page 5)

“…Multnomah County Animal Services maintains the sole discretion to determine animal dispositions and outcomes. Volunteers may not solicit changes to determined dispositions or individual outcomes without express approval from MCAS, including seeking rescue for animals on behalf of MCAS, seeking adoption placement for animals that are not available for adoption, or otherwise disregarding the disposition determination processes in place at MCAS. These activities undermine the mission of MCAS.” (Page 10)

We see a glimpse of the consequences of this policy in an Koin article by Jashayla Pettigrew, Former animal shelter volunteer sues Multnomah County over ‘unlawful’ termination.

“The lawsuit claimed MCAS employees regularly shared their frustrations with shelter leadership, and Bedrosian sometimes joined to discuss her concerns with their euthanasia and adoption policies.

According to the declaration, shelter leaders warned the volunteer against questioning their actions and policies in April 2023 — stating she made people feel ‘uncomfortable.’

About two months later, a volunteer coordinator told her that only staff could discuss topics like adoption and euthanasia.”

“…Bedrosian privately communicated her concerns with the shelter manager and was terminated the following day, according to the suit.”

A prediction from May 1, 2019, proven true.

The following is a post from my proto-blog on Change.org, following Former Director Jackie Rose’s departure from the shelter.

Fun fact: Jackie Rose departed MCAS to become Director of Ventura County Animal Services in 2019. In 2023, she ‘retired‘ after facing criticism for the same conduct she showed at MCAS due to a “small but vocal group” critical her euthanasia policies, where too many adoptable animals were euthanized.

Aftermath:

The triumphant departure of Jackie Rose to a sunnier climate; 
The devastating fracture of the No Kill mission left behind.

Oregon citizens first learned of MCAS Director Jackie Rose’s April 12, 2019 departure to Ventura County Animals Services from California newspapers, where media reported that a joyful welcome awaits her scheduled arrival on May 1, 2019. There was no prior word or warning from local Multnomah government that Ms. Rose had moved on until surprised local citizens brought it to their attention.

After a 3 ½ year tenure, all that Jackie Rose left behind for Multnomah residents were unfinished audit goals surrounding continued well documented substandard care, and increased concerns about the welfare and well-being of staff and animals. Her legacy, multiple new policies that stripped away animals’, citizens’ and staff rights, continue. They are marked by a lack of empathy and passed unnoticed because of a lack of government oversight accompanied by apathy and indifference.  As Bob Dylan once said, “there is no success like failure and failure is no success at all.”

Everything about Ms. Rose rejects the core of No Kill – the basic principle that every life counts and requires every effort to find and implement humane solutions.   Under her leadership, “inconvenient” animals are routinely killed after being labeled “unhealthy/untreatable” even when the records demonstrate that they were only scared or had treatable conditions. Killing at MCAS has become an act of convenience, one taking place behind closed doors and disguised as “necessary” to create a perfect marketing vision. 

MCAS’s progressive path forward began with a 2000 MCAS Citizens’ Task Force and a commitment to achieve a No Kill mission by 2005.   After three and one-half years of Ms. Rose, MCAS could not be further from that goal.   Its claimed successes are belied by unverifiable “high live release rates” that have been promoted by low adoption standards, multiple free or nearly free adoption sales, revolving door adoptions and a high adoption return rate.  The mission is numbers only: “Any home will do.” Animals returned over and over again are traumatized, ultimately offered to rescue or killed. It is a factory goods model, not a humane shelter model.  

The peoples’ mission lost its way under Ms. Rose’s guidance.  Animals have become highly disposable: a widely supported community mission was discarded by politicians when inconvenient.  The need for change starts with government culture: public service must replace collegiality. When government prizes protecting colleagues from their mistakes over accountability, democracy itself is subverted. Rationalization of failure replaces correction, motivated by a desire to keep the issue off the elected leaders’ desks. The only check on re-naming failure as success comes from George Orwell’s comment: “…It is possible to carry on this process [ ‘impudently twisting facts’] for an indefinite time: the only check on it is sooner or later a false belief bumps up against solid reality, usually on a battlefield.”

Multnomah County politics must change, if there is to be any progress forward. Questions and concerns about local government should not be treated as adversarial attacks; they present serious issues that must be addressed and corrected.  Problems kicked down the road worsen.   Too much power regarding the appointment of the MCAS Director is concentrated in one person’s hands.

The appointment decision of the MCAS Animal Services Director is left entirely up to one person, the Director of Community Services, a person whose other responsibilities are Bridges and Transportation, a person with no knowledge about sheltering.   He provides no oversight.    The position of animal control director in Multnomah County is de facto independent. Citizen and staff concerns and complaints are ignored at both the MCAS and Department levels. Ask and there is no response. 

Abuse of power commonly occurs when supervisors abdicate oversight.  The citizens’ will to create a progressive sheltering mission beginning in 2000 has been easily tossed aside.  Department Director Peoples has steadfastly ignored mounting evidence and complaints about the hostile environment created by Ms. Rose’s policies, practices, and behaviors affecting animals, the public and staff alike. He didn’t listen. Neither he nor the county commission responded to concerns. The findings of the MCAS audit reports were treated initially as an affront. Prior to the formal release of the audit, Kim Peoples and Jackie Rose, instead of first meeting with the Audit Department to advance corrections, met privately with each county commissioner to pre-empt its impact.

Jackie Rose has departed MCAS to Ventura, California. The effects of her massive overhaul of all MCAS policies, many hostile to this community, will continue in Oregon. It will be a long and rough road home. Ventura County will be her next victim.

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

2024 Multnomah County Animal Services Volunteer Handbook

2024 MCAS Volunteer HandbookDownload

Gimme Shelter Portland criticism of MCAS, and the response from Kim Peoples, former Director of the Department of Community Services

Gimme shelter portland criticism & Kim Peoples’ ResponseDownload

MCAS Task Force Findings, June 29, 2000

MCAS 2000 Task Force ReportDownload

Multnomah County Animal Services Audit, 2018

Animal Services_ Important issues still need to be resolvedDownload

Multnomah County Animal Services Audit, 2016
https://multco.us/info/animal-services-audit

Email Record: The deterioration of morale and performance at MCAS

The deterioration of morale and performance at MCAS_Email-Feb 22, 2019Download