ODA proposal could raise license fees for hundreds of animal rescue organizations

 Animal rescue organizations across Oregon could soon be paying thousands of extra dollars in license fees. That’s according to a proposal from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, which oversees the organizations. The new fee structure would charge rescues and shelters based on the number of animals they take in per year. Nearly 200 people testified against the changes at a hearing last month, saying the tiered structure would disproportionately impact smaller organizations. ODA is accepting public comments on the proposal until March 15.

Karen Green is the executive director of Cat Adoption Team, the largest cat-specific shelter in the Northwest. Beverly Beach is a volunteer for Cat Utopia, a foster-based rescue in Eastern Oregon. They both join us to talk about how the proposed changes could impact their services.