What’s Our Story?

 Family Dogs New Life is a no kill dog shelter dedicated to rescuing and rehoming needy dogs regardless of age, breed or history. Our organization was built on the belief that all dogs deserve a second chance at a new life. We are here for the dogs who have no other options. This includes dogs that other shelters do not have space for, long term residents who have run out of time and dogs that other shelters may consider ‘unadoptable’. Our mission, simply, is to help reduce the number of dogs being euthanized . We take in dogs from Animal Control Agencies and Humane Societies located within the state of Oregon as well as Washington. We also work with many smaller Rescue Groups across the country, as well as a limited number of owner surrendered pets.

Family Dogs New Life Shelter is unique in that we do not house our dogs in kennels or dog runs, but in large play groups or ‘packs’ of anywhere from 8-20 dogs running loose together. We typically have 35-50 dogs in our shelter at all times. Because of our group housing all our dogs are able to play and interact all day long, just like a doggy daycare or dog park. What this does is allow us to monitor their behavior and better determine their true personalities, plus it is great socialization for the dogs. At night time all dogs are trained to sleep in their own crate, which when continued by the adopter, makes for a wonderful transition.

Family Dogs works on matchmaking our dogs with their adopter. The public can not walk through our facility and simply “pick a pet”. When you come to our shelter we will talk with you about what type of dog you are looking for, which dogs you saw here on our website that caught your attention, what pets you have had in the past, and what your lifestyle is like. We will then discuss with you which of our dogs will work for your lifestyle and help match you up with dogs that have the qualities you are looking for in a new pet- it’s doggie matchmaking! It does take a little more time to do things this way, but we find that often times people choose their new dog based on looks or kennel presentation, this is not a good way to choose a new pet as they are all individuals and have different needs. We will only introduce you to dogs that we are comfortable will be a good match for both you and for the dog.

Since Family Dogs New Life Shelter began in Feb. 2004 we have placed over 9000 dogs into permanent homes and just might have the pet you have been longing for, so come on in and meet some of our adorable adoptables! Find Love. Give Life.
With your help we hope to continue reducing the number of dogs being euthanized each year by taking in needy dogs, providing them a fun and healthy environment until we are able to find them the perfect forever home. We have high hopes of expanding in the future, one day moving to a new larger facility that better fits our dogs needs and eventually starting a sanctuary in the country to provide refuge for truly unadoptable dogs who have no place else to go….Family Dogs believes in community, and we hope that with your support we can reach these goals.
Together we can make a difference.

All of the beautiful photographs of our dogs are taken by local Portland photographer Bob Libby, who has been volunteering his time every week since 2005.
We can’t thank him enough!