‘Great time to adopt’: Street Dog Hero is helping ‘Clear the Shelters’ through adoption events

(Update: adding video, comments from Street Dog Hero)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon's animal shelters are as full as ever - if not fuller - this late summer, so it's a perfect time for the return of our yearly 'Clear the Shelters' campaign.

Started in 2017, Street Dog Hero rescues dogs locally and globally. The nonprofit has been able to bring in hundreds of dogs from around the world to homes across the Pacific Northwest.

"Right now, we probably have somewhere between like 60 and 70 available for adoption," Jaymie Friesner, the medical and intake manager, said Monday. "We've seen a good pickup in adoptions again by -you know, the whole country, as I'm sure everybody hears all the time, is struggling."

Street Dog Hero has already hosted multiple adoption events this month.

"We just did our first one this Friday and had a huge crowd come," Friesner said. "And then we've been working on just taking advantage of that summer warmth and doing a lot of events."

At these events, they bring in as many adoptable dogs as possible, including foster dogs. On Saturday, August 24th, they'll be hosting a fundraiser and adoption event at Crux Fermentation Project.

"We try and highlight our dogs that are having a more difficult time getting adopted, that do better outside, in a public setting where people can really see the dog vs. just a picture," Friesner said.

Another big adoption event is their 5th annual Heroes on the Run 5K,  coming up on Sunday, September 8th. All of the proceeds from the event go toward providing services to dogs all around the world through transportation, medical treatment, adoption placement, awareness and education.

"It's one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, but also one of our biggest adoption events of the year," says Freisner. "We do it over at the Athletic Club of Bend, so there's a5K, and then afterwards just a lot of fun events, raffles, things like that."

Adoption fees start at $550 for puppies and younger dogs and range to as low as $100. Fees can depend on age, size, and how long they've been at the shelter. 

"Right now is a really great time to adopt a dog," Friesner said. "There's so many great dogs needing  homes that if anyone's thinking about it, now's the time."

Street Dog Hero is always accepting volunteers. They also highly encourage fostering a dog, if your household is able. The organization says larger typically are the least likely to get adopted, so they encourage folks to give those pups a shot. 

Join NewsChannel 21 and our local shelter and business partners as we once again team up to Clear the Shelters and find loving homes for pets. Since 2014, this national campaign has helped more than 1 million pets find new homes and more than $4 million donated nationally.