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January 2026

Join us for our next Animal Services Academy taking place Saturday, February 21 from 9 a.m. to noon in downtown Hillsboro.

The goal of the Animal Services Academy is to help community members understand how Washington County Animal Services and the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter work, as well as to empower people to share animal-related resources and information with friends, neighbors and online networks. Attending the Academy is also the first step for those interested in volunteering with us! 

This free training covers everything from what happens to animals while they are at the shelter to how you can personally help lost pets get back home. We’ll also talk about the work Animal Services Officers do, how we collaborate with other local organizations, veterinary medicine in our shelter, and disaster preparedness for pet owners.

Can’t make it this February? Keep an eye on this newsletter or our website for additional opportunities later this year!

We also urge you to learn about potential risks specific to your area (wildfires, floods, etc.) and sign up for Public Alerts. These emergency alerts can be delivered by phone, text and email to let you know when an emergency is happening near you or your loved ones. 

If you ever need to evacuate, take your pets with you. Helping pets become more comfortable in crates or carriers ahead of time will make moving them during a disaster less stressful. Help your cat learn to like their carrier with these tips.

Bowls, troughs, and other containers filled with water can quickly freeze over in cold weather. Check outdoor water stations regularly to make sure they’re not frozen and your animals still have access to fresh, clean drinking water at all times.

Cold temperatures also bring the risk of severe winter weather, which can result in power outages, road closures and supply chain issues. Prepare emergency kits for both the people and animals in your household. We recommend keeping at least a 10-day supply of food, water and any medications your animals need on hand. 

Although icy roads and winter weather may occasionally impact our services at the shelter, staff are here every day of the year to care for the animals temporarily staying with us. While some of our canine visitors prefer activities inside our warm building, we often have a few dogs like this husky who jump at the opportunity for playtime in our yard on snowy days.

January is National Walk Your Dog Month


Although, really, we believe every month is walk your dog month at our shelter! As you venture out with your furry friend, help keep people and other animals safe by following these Washington County requirements: 


• Keep your dog on a leash seven feet or shorter when not in a designated off-leash area. Your dog may be friendly, but people may be uncomfortable with a loose dog in their space. Additionally, some leashed dogs are reactive to unleashed dogs approaching them. 
  
• Clean up after your pet. Pet waste is unpleasant to step in and can contain parasites or bacteria that can be harmful to both animals and people. Be sure to scoop that poop and put it in a garbage can. Pet waste should never be tossed into a storm drain, recycling bin, or compost pile that is not specifically set up for animal waste.

• Keep your dog’s license current. All dogs six months and older must be licensed in Washington County, and a current rabies vaccine is required for the license to be valid. You can license your dog in person, online, by mail or over the phone. 

Thank you for being a responsible dog owner while walking your canine companion!

One of our Animal Services Officers caught Paul with his whole pack leashed up while out and about. We love to see it!

Resolve to help local pets this year


It’s the kindness of community members like you that allows us to go above and beyond for pets in need of individualized care at our shelter. Donations help fund the veterinary services we provide for stray pets at the shelter, as well as our animal abuse and neglect investigations. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support the work we are doing for the people and pets in Washington County. Thank you!

Each year, we reunite hundreds of animals like Bonnie Lee (pictured here in the arms of her human) with their families. When a stray pet arrives at the shelter, our number one goal is to get them back to the people who know and love them. We are so grateful for the community support that helps us continue to do this.