PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – In a proposed budget from Multnomah County, leaders plan to cut funding for the after-hours veterinary care provided by the DoveLewis Animal Hospital.

The cuts were proposed as a way to save more money for the county, but it’s expected to be a hot topic at the county commission’s budget committee meeting Wednesday night. 

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DoveLewis is a nonprofit animal hospital that also takes in and cares for stray and lost animals overnight for Multnomah County — including nearly 500 in the past year.

The county has a contract with them for $235,000 per year to care for those animals brought in by county animal services, police, and Good Samaritans.

The contract was supposed to run through December of next year, and it comes after the animal hospital recently opened a new facility to expand its services. 

“Where are the animals going to go?” said DoveLewis Community Engagement Director Tess Payne.

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Multnomah County shared a statement with KOIN 6 News, reiterating that budget decisions are not yet final, and said that they are adding vets to the Troutdale Animal Shelter and budgeting $200,000 for emergency medical services at DoveLewis.   

The county also said it is planning to reduce funds for some emergency services provided by DoveLewis for animals found after-hours.

DoveLewis plans to plead its case Wednesday night before commissioners as it looks for other options. They said fundraising will not be able to pick up the slack, as the nonprofit gets only 12% of its budget from fundraising.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.