General
Where is the Portage APL located?
The Portage APL is located just north of Ravenna at 8122 Infirmary Road, behind the Portage County Water Resources and the Dog Warden office. Turn into the Water Resources driveway and continue to the blue building at the end of the road. (Click here for Map)
What are the shelter hours?
Public hours are subject to change. Click here for our published hours.
How can I contact someone at Portage APL?
Phone: 330-296-4022
Fax: 330-296-8648
Email: info@portageapl.org
How can I volunteer for Portage APL?
Please fill out an application form according to your age and mail it to Volunteer Coordinator at the shelter. Volunteer applications are available on this page. Applications are reviewed before training is scheduled.
I found a lost/stray dog. What should I do?
By law all stray dogs must be reported to the Portage County Dog Warden
Phone: 330-297-6924
Emergency after hours 330-296-5100
Fax: 330-298-2053
Toll Free 1-800-772-3799
Please call the shelter at 330-296-4022 regarding injured domestic animals, or call your police or Sheriff office at 330-297-3889.
Funding
Who funds the Portage APL?
The Portage APL is a private, nonprofit organization which means all operating funds come from community donors like you. In addition Portage APL receives some funding from foundations on a competitive application basis.
Does the Portage APL receive money from my taxes?
The Portage APL receives no government support for general operating expenses. The shelter is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations in the community. (Link to You Can Help)
Does my gift to other animal welfare organizations (such as Humane Society of the United States, PETA or ASPCA) help animals in Portage County?
While all these organization have the same goals – to help animals in need – only donations made directly to the Portage APL help animals right here in your backyard. The Portage APL is a local shelter that receives and houses animals from Portage County and is dependent on local support to keep the shelter operating.
No national organizations financially support local shelters. The Portage APL is an independent non-profit funded by voluntary donations. Funding for Portage APL’s services and programs is received in the form of cash donations, bequests, trusts, endowments and through adoption and surrender fees.
What does the APL do with all the money it collects each year?
All funds received are used to pay our bills including utilities, food and medicine, veterinary costs, vaccinations, etc for the shelter and care of the animals. Due to the poor economy, donations have not kept pace with expenses.
How can I help?
The Portage APL is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, which appreciates donations of cash, time and items to help the shelter operate. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The shelter, nor its programs, would exist without the generous donations from the community.
You can do any or all of the following:
- Cash, food and supply donations
- Tributes for people & pets
- Cage sponsor
- Volunteer
- Remember the APL in you will
Donations are accepted via mail or can be brought directly to the shelter. (Click Here – link to “You Can Help” page)
Adoptions
How many pets do you place into new homes?
Each year the Portage APL finds loving homes for 400 to 500 cats and 300 to 350 dogs. Another 45 to 50 cats and dogs are reunited with their original owners.
Where do the animals come from?
Some are surrendered to the shelter for a variety of reasons; moving, eviction, the death of the owner. Others have been sick or injured and came to the shelter for care then not claimed by the owner. Many are rescued by the humane officer and brought to the shelter for rehabilitation and placement.
At times Portage APL will arrange to take a dog from the dog pound. The dog is then a ward of the shelter and is placed for adoption.
What is the difference between the county dog warden and the Portage APL humane officer?
The dog warden is a county employee and is required by Ohio law to pick-up all stray and vicious dogs and place them in the county dog pound. There, they are held for 10 days to be reclaimed by their owner. If no claim is made, the dogs, if they are not deemed vicious, are placed up for adoption.
The humane officer is sworn in by a county probate judge. This officer is empowered to investigate and enforce all Ohio animal cruelty/abandonment laws. The dog warden is a county employee. The humane officer is not.
Does the APL euthanize some animals?
We do not euthanize any healthy animals in order to make room for more animals. That is why we are called a “limited access” shelter. However, there are some circumstances under which we may euthanize. They include:
- Veterinary recommended due to medical condition
- Animal has seriously injured a human
- Animal has killed another animal
- Ordered to do so by law enforcement authorities
- Animal has serious behavioral problems that have not responded to our behavioral training interventions
- Serious quality of life issues
How long do you keep the animals?
The Portage APL is a “limited admission, unlimited stay” shelter. This means that healthy, adoptable animals remain at the shelter until they find the right home.
Do you ever get purebred dogs or cats?
Yes, purebred animals pass through the shelter and are available for adoption. Check our pet gallery frequently to see if any purebred pets are available.
How do I adopt a pet from Portage APL?
Adopting a pet is a match of personality and selecting the proper pet for your lifestyle. Adoption staff members are available to help select the perfect pet for your family and explain the adoption process.
Dog adopters are asked to spend time with the dog and bring in family members as well as any other family dog(s) to interact.
Cat and dog profiles are available on-line through the Portage APL web site gallery (click here).
Why does the APL charge for adoptions?
To help defray the cost of vaccines, spay/neuter, medical treatments and care and feeding. It costs approximately $700 to care for one animal for one year. We care for approximately 1,000 animals per year.
Why does the APL interview all potential adopters?
We want to be sure to match the right animal with the right family. For example, if you work 10 or 12 hours a day it world not be right for you to adopt a puppy that needs lots of attention. An adult cat or dog might be a better match. We want you and your “new best friend” to be happy.
Do you require spaying or neutering of adopted pets?
Yes, all animals adopted from the Portage APL must be spayed or neutered and this is provided as part of the adoption fee. Many cats and dogs are spayed or neutered prior to becoming available for adoption. The Portage APL is committed to ending pet overpopulation.
Why do the animals have to go to an indoor home?
Generally many of the animals available for adoption come to the shelter after being injured or abandoned. Some have had horrific experiences. The APL spends considerable time and money to make the animals ready for adoption. Indoor homes are safer. Under certain circumstances, indoor/outdoor animals are available for adoption.
How do I surrender an animal to the shelter for adoption?
You must call the shelter at 330-296-4022 to verify if room is available. (link to Services & Resources/Giving Up Your Pet)
The shelter can only accept animals that are of sound temperament and in good health. Pets with a history of aggression or medical problems that cannot be resolved without major medical care are not suitable for our adoption program.
Portage APL Services
Can the Portage APL help me afford to spay/neuter my pet?
The Portage APL does not have the facility to perform spay or neuter services to the public on a regular basis but does offer several programs to help people afford spay/neuter services.
Friend of Animals Certificates (FOA’s) are available at the shelter for purchase during regular business hours. FOA’s are available for both cat and dog owners. Simply purchase the low cost certificate and call a participating veterinarian to schedule an appointment at your convenience. A list of participating veterinarians is available at the shelter, or (click here for list).
Low cost Cat spay/neuter surgeries are available once a month provided by NOMAD; a mobile cat spay/neuter service. Please call the shelter at 330-296-4022 to schedule an appointment. Please note that there is a waiting list so call as soon as you acquire your new cat. (For additional information, click here (link to http://www.portageapl.org/fromLisa/spay-neuter.html)
Feral cat program. Available only to qualifying areas with large populations of feral cats. Call the shelter at 330-296-4022 to discuss eligibility requirements. This program was funded through the generosity of a private donor and availability is limited.
Can the Portage APL recommend a veterinarian?
Portage APL does not make such recommendations.
How do I report neglect, abandonment or cruelty?
If the animal in question is in Portage County, click here (link to http://www.portageapl.org/fromLisa/cruelty-investigations.html
Note: You will be asked to provide detailed information about the location, animals in question, and potential suspect as well as your contact number, which will be kept confidential. Being able to contact you for additional information often helps resolve the issue in a timelier manner.
Due to the confidential nature of the investigations, you will not receive any information regarding the results of the investigation.
You may also contact your local police department or the Portage County Sheriff’s office for assistance.
How do I report a lost pet?
Simply call the Portage APL at 330-296-4022 and file a lost pet report. (Click here for animals recently received at Portage APL)
Dog owners should also call the Portage County Dog Warden.
Important note: Dogs and cats can travel further than anticipated. If you live within 10 miles of the county border, it is advised that you contact the neighboring county Dog Warden and humane society in addition to the Portage APL and Portage County Dog Warden.
