The Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue Team (OHSTAR) responds to animal rescue situations that require technical skills in Portland area.


The Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue Team (OHSTAR) is available to respond to animal rescue situations that require technical skills in the Portland metropolitan area and adjoining counties. For animal emergencies needing cliff rescue, water rescue, and other urgent situations, OHSTAR responds directly to the incident site.

OHSTAR members also assist law-enforcement agencies with the safe capture, containment, and transport of distressed animals found in hazardous conditions, including hoarding situations. OHSTAR volunteers are trained to assist during natural and man-made disasters, and have been called upon to assist in large-scale national emergency operations such as Hurricane Katrina and the tornado tragedy in Joplin, Mo.

OHSTAR is comprised entirely of volunteers, and relies entirely on donations to fund all their rescue activities.