TACOMA, Wash. — The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is waiving adoption fees for dogs one year and older as it faces a record-breaking capacity crisis.
Staff say they are caring for 264 dogs— the highest number in seven years.
The shelter says staff took in a large number of dogs last month because of a large-scale animal cruelty investigation.
“Our facility is not equipped to meet the increasing needs of the animals of our community,” says Lauren Green, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.
Dog kennels are over capacity and staff have turned office spaces into repurposed housing for multiple dogs.
To help alleviate the congestion and help dogs find their forever homes, the shelter is waiving adoption fees from Thursday, Jan. 2, through Sunday, Jan. 5. Licensing fees may still apply.
Every adoptable dog has received a wellness exam from shelter staff and initial vaccinations, is microchipped with national registration, and will be spayed or neutered before adoption.
For dogs that are waiting for spay or neuter surgery, the shelter offers a foster-to-adopt option, allowing families to take the dog home the same day and return for surgery, at no additional cost, within a given period.
Currently, there are more than 60 dogs available for adoption. To view all available dogs, visit the shelter’s website: www.thehumanesociety.org/adoptable-pet-category/dogs.
Additional Ways to Support
If you don’t have the room or the time for a full-time pet, there are other ways that people can support the shelter.
Foster: This option allows you to provide a temporary safe space for a dog in need, while the shelter provides all supplies and ongoing veterinary care. Learn more about fostering at www.thehumanesociety.org/get-involved/foster.
Temporarily Care for Lost and Found Pets: Prevent animals from entering the shelter by caring for a lost animal until the owner can be found. The shelter can help by scanning for a microchip, posting found pets on its website, and providing additional support to facilitate reunification. The shelter can also provide food, supplies, and crates while supplies last. For more information and resources, visit www.thehumanesociety.org/lost-and-found-pets.
Donate: You can provide much-needed resources to fund the continued admission of animals requiring shelter, care, and medical attention. To donate, visit: www.thehumanesociety.org/donate.
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