Doggie Dash 2026 fundraiser supports Oregon Humane’s work with shelter animals

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A major fundraiser to support local shelter animals is coming up this weekend. Oregon Humane’s Doggie Dash 2026 helps pet families across the state.

Despite the name, this year’s event is going to the cats.

“Doggie Dash is one our biggest fundraisers we do,” said Dr. Steve Kochis, chief medical officer at Oregon Humane. “Sometimes we do see some cats at the event that are on a harness in a carrier or in a backpack. While we do have Doggie Dash as the name, we are Oregon Humane and still raise money for all the pets we help.”

Access to veterinary care

With Portland’s Doggie Dash right around the corner, Kochis wants people to be aware of some of the bigger issues Oregon Humane is trying to tackle.

“It’s been an ongoing struggle with access to services, access to veterinary care, and with that comes lack of access to spay and neuter services,” Kochis said. “And then it doesn’t take long for cats to reproduce and overpopulate.”

Kelly Bremken, a veterinary social worker at Oregon Humane, said a recent case in Marion County illustrates the problem.

“Recently in Marion County there was a family who had cats they loved very much, but without access to affordable spay and neuter in their area they became overrun with cats,” Bremken said.

Oregon Humane took in 35 cats from that home, including one named Snotty Pippins after the veterinary team had to clean out his sinuses.

Connecting people and pets to resources

Bremken’s job as veterinary social worker is to find the intersection between the help people need and their pets on cases like this one.

“We really think improving the life of the person can improve the life of the pet,” Bremken said. “We want that for everybody.”

Events like Doggie Dash make sure Bremken can continue to connect community members to the resources they need for their pets.

“We want folks to know they can call on us, get assistance, and we are there for the long haul,” Bremken said.

Oregon Humane’s Doggie Dash is one of the largest gatherings of pets and people on the West Coast. Registration is $25. Doggie Dash Portland takes place Saturday, May 9, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. A Salem event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6.