Portland Pooch - Your Guide to the Portland Dog Scene

We're happy to announce our Dog-Friendly Lodging Guide is now online. Covering all of Oregon and parts of SW Washington, the guide is divided into 8 sections. We have the first 4 sections complete, and will be bringing the remaining 4 sections online in the next couple of weeks. Bear with us as we put the finishing touches on the guide, and do let us know if you see any inaccuracies. Should you notice that your favorite dog-friendly hotel is not listed, feel free to drop us an email and we'll check it out. Happy trails...happy tails!!

PetUtopia is celebrating their 3rd Anniversary this Saturday with a full day of activities. There will be food, games, refreshments, a doggie fashion show, pet photographer, and other fun stuff. Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [June 24, 2009]

Elayne Boosler and Dennis Blair will perform a benefit comedy show for Indigo Rescue this Saturday, June 20. In addition to the show, there will be both live and silent auctions, and a $10,000 raffle prize. This is a fantastic opportunity to check out two National Comedians during a time when everyone really needs a good laugh! Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [June 15, 2009]

Mutt Mixers, a First Thursday Social Hour for Dog Lovers, kicks off June 4, 2009 from 5-7 pm at Hotel Monaco in downtown Portland. People and their pets will revel in the cabaret atmosphere complete with variety show-style highlights, music, beverages, bites, and great company. The Mixer benefits the Pixie Project, a young rescue/shelter working in conjunction with Outside In's Virginia Woof Doggy Daycare. Guests will also get to meet a few sweet adoptable animals from Pixie, and chat with reps from the featured organizations of the evening. Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [June 1, 2009]

Wine and dogs - what could be better? Join Lexi Dog, Bishop Creek Cellars, and the Oregon Humane Society for Portland's original Yappy Hour at the Paragon Restaurant Gallery Room this Wednesday, May 27. The event will feature a spring fashion show of the hottest doggie styles. Prizes will be given to dogs in attendance wearing glamorous, hip and silly fashions. Be sure to dress your best friend up for the event! OHS will bring dogs available for adoption, and a portion of proceeds from wine and beverage sales will benefit the animals at OHS. Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [May 25, 2009]

This Sunday, May 17, Pugs and other Pooches take to the streets in the tradition of "Carnival" in NW Portland. Stop by MacTarnahan's Taproom and watch the annual pug costume parade, and take in the live music, good food, and great beer. Proceeds help support the Oregon Humane Society. Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [May 13, 2009]

It's that time of year again...time for the Doggie Dash! Lace up your running shoes, leash up your pooch, and head down to the Waterfront this Saturday for one of the largest dog walk/runs in the Northwest. There are two courses to choose from this year, the traditional 1.5 miler and a new 2.5 mile course. As usual, there will be plenty of festivities post-race, such as dog massage demos, vendor booths, various demonstrations, and the standard doggie giveaway contests (think best-dressed pooch). Proceeds help support the Oregon Humane Society. Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [May 6, 2009]

In keeping with the tradition, Governor Kulongoski has proclaimed the first week in May as "Be Kind to Animals Week". In the Governor's words..."since 1915 the first week of May has been set aside to draw attention to the need to be kind to animals, to learn responsible ways of caring for a pet, showing concern for those without a home, reducing pet overpopulation, and building a stronger human-animal bond. This spirit of Be Kind to Animals Week can and should be celebrated every day." Well said Gov...we couldn't agree more! [Apr 20, 2009]

If you're like me and haven't started doing your taxes yet, it's not too late to participate in Oregon's Charitable Check-off Program and give a little back to local animals in need. This is the Oregon Humane Society's sixth year in the program. Helping out some local dogs is as simple as checking a box on your tax return. For more info, check out the OHS Website. [Apr 7, 2009]

Guide Dogs for the Blind is having an open house of their new Volunteer and Visitor Center located in Downtown Portland this Thursday, April 2. Join them for refreshments, ask the trainers some questions, or just stop by to meet some of their adorable puppies. Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [Apr 1, 2009]

The Oregon Humane Society is organizing a rally at the Oregon Capital this Monday (3/30) to support the Oregon Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act (H.B. 2470), which provides basic protections for dogs in mass breeding facilities. The legislation caps the number of dogs at a facility, establishes basic humane standards for breeders, provides protections for consumers that purchase a dog with a disease or congenital defect, and requires pet stores to post a notice of origin for all puppies for sale. The rally begins at 2pm on the front steps. Visit the OHS Website for more info. [Mar 27, 2009]

Stop by Beaverton's City Park this Saturday (3/21) for their first ever "Pooches on the Green" event. There will be a costume contest (for dogs), look-a-like contest (which dog looks most like there owner), best kiss (for dogs). First place will receive a free year of canidea dog food! There will be live Irish dancers, agility and obedience showings, and Delta Society will be there. Dogs must be leashed and dog friendly. Visit our event calendar for more details on this event and others. [Mar 3, 2009]

There is currently a bill being considered by the Oregon Legislature (HR 2470), that would improve conditions for dogs being raised in "puppy mills" and similar facilities. Among other things, the bill would provide regulations for the quality/size of the kennels housing dogs, such as requiring the kennel to be large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around. While these may seem like basic rights every dog should have, there is much opposition to the bill. To read more about this bill, or to show your support for it, visit the Oregon Humane Society's web page about this legislation, and others, currently being considered by the Oregon Legislature. [Mar 3, 2009]