Pets are often called “man’s best friend.” In Oregon, they are fellow residents of the state. There’s even an Oregon Animal Hall of Fame.

It was hard to keep this list short since there are so many good boys and girls across species, but here are seven pets (technically two of them are groups!) to know from Oregon history.

1. Bobbie the Wonder Dog

In February 1924, Bobbie, a two-year-old scotch-collie mix, showed up on the doorstep of his home in Silverton.

While that may sound like an average event, it was actually amazing. Bobbie’s owners had last seen him six months earlier – Bobbie had gone missing in Indiana during a road trip. He traveled 2,800 miles to return.

For his cross-country journey, Bobbie was hailed a “wonder dog” by fans across the country.

2. Ranger the Expert Mountain Climbing Dog

The Mazamas is one of the oldest mountaineering groups in the country. Humans are not the only climbers of the group, so are dogs.

And one is credited with hundreds of climbs, even earning the title of “canine alpinist” for a short documentary about him. In his life, according to records by the Mazamas, Ranger the dog summited Mount Hood for more than 10 years of his life.

3. OwlKitty the Cinematic Cat

There’s been a long joke that cat videos rule the internet – so why not movies as well?

A fluffy black cat in Portland, thanks to the film and editing talents of her videographer owner, became a star in recent years – replacing lead roles in blockbusters like “Titanic,” “Jurassic Park” and “Home Alone.”

Lizzy the cat, who’s stage name is OwlKitty, gained millions of followers across social media for her furry acting.

4. Lux the “Cat from Hell”

Now for perhaps the most infamous pet of this list. In 2014, a Portland couple called 911 to report the behavior of their cat Lux. They worried about their baby’s safety around Lux.

Lux was called an “attack cat” and was featured as a case on “My Cat From Hell” on Animal Planet with Jackson Galaxy. Upon the episode’s airing, The Oregonian/Oregon Live reported Lux had moved to a foster home.

5. The Belmont Goats

The Belmont Goats are a nonprofit, urban herd and at this point probably known most for how often they move in Portland. There was a bit of drama for the goats back in 2023, when the goats’ enclosure was on city-owned land being developed for a new Safe Rest Village while next to an unsanctioned homeless camp.

No matter where they are in the city, currently at the southeast corner of St. Johns Pier Park, the goats remain cute and can be visited on weekends.

6. Lots of alpacas and llamas

According to the 2022 U.S. Agriculture Census, Oregon was home to the most alpacas in the country and the second most llamas after Texas.

These stats might not surprise Oregonians. We are especially used to seeing locally known llamas out in public, from their visits to Portland International Airport to appearances in parades and protests.

“Oregon Field Guide” in 2012 also profiled backpacking llamas.

7. Sugar Bob the Deer

Finally, this last animal was actually the subject of one of OPB’s early viral videos – which even received attention on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”

In 2014, OPB reporters Amelia Templeton and John Rosman went to southern Oregon to cover the Applegate Valley cannabis culture, back when the drug was legal only for medicinal uses.

Lawful recreational cannabis would come years later, but during their reporting trip, Templeton and Rosman met someone unexpected who consumed cannabis: Sugar Bob the Deer. He lived on a farm and would spend his days nibbling (not smoking) fallen leaves and the occasional bud.

Want more pets? Watch the “Oregon Experience” documentary about how Oregon became so pet-friendly.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/10/famous-oregon-pets-over-century/