Stay up-to-date on all the ways the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is Making Happy Happen in the shelter and out in the community!

Best of the South Sound 2024

Every year, South Sound Magazine invites its readers to vote for the best the region has to offer, from arts and entertainment to businesses and services. Thanks to your support, the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County has been awarded Best Nonprofit in the publication's "Best of the South Sound 2024" issue!


Thank you to our community members who voted for us and who make our life-saving work possible. With your help, the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County finds loving homes for more than 6,000 pets, reunite over 1,100 animals with their overjoyed owners, and provide care for thousands more in our community each year. 


From our original founding by a handful of compassionate community members, we have since grown into one of the state's largest animal welfare agencies!

View the Best of 2024

Trailblazers in Animal Welfare:

Highlights from the HumanePro Animal Care Expo  

Last week, nearly a dozen Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County staff members attended the HumanePro Animal Care Expo, hosted by The Humane Society of the United States. This transformative multi-day event offered invaluable opportunities for professional development and networking.


Highlighting the shelter's commitment to DEI principles as set forth in our Three-Year Strategic Plan, Miguel Sheets, the shelter’s director of information technology, and Julia Bonsell, the shelter’s volunteer manager, were honored with the DEI Trailblazer Award for their efforts in serving marginalized communities.

Learn More

Secure a Future for Pets in Need

As the days get longer this spring, it means more time to focus on what matters most. The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is sharing this free will-writing tool to help our community seize the extra moments and plan for tomorrow. It’s also an opportunity to help animals in need receive safe shelter, nutritious food, and endless love with a gift in your plans. Our partner, FreeWill, makes it simple to create a free estate plan and grow your legacy this season.

Create Your Legacy

If you’ve already created an estate plan and planted roots with a legacy gift to our shelter, please fill out this brief form. It helps us plan for the future and allows us to celebrate your generosity!

Chip Your Pet Month, Plus Our Next Vaccine & Wellness Clinic

Chip Your Pet Month is celebrated every May to promote microchipping for pets. Microchips with updated registration info help reunite lost pets with their families quickly, regardless of time or distance. Remember to update your pet's microchip contact details regularly to ensure you can be reached if they go missing.

The shelter offers low-cost microchips without an appointment during business hours and at our monthly Vaccine and Wellness Clinic. Income-qualifying pet owners are encouraged to visit our next clinic this Saturday, May 25, from 10am-3 pm for microchips, free (provided by Petco Love) and low-cost vaccines, and parasite preventatives.


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Home To Home™: More Than Pet Rehoming

Pets like Mickey are searching for loving families on Home to Home™.

Among the support services for pet owners that the shelter offers, we provide assistance through our Home To Home™ platform for those needing to find a new or temporary home for their pets.


Through Home To Home™, pets can transition directly from one home to another without entering the shelter, reducing stress for both animals and humans alike!


Additionally, potential adopters benefit by learning about the pet’s personality, behavior, medical history, preferences, and more from the current owner, helping ensure the pet is adopted into the most suitable family.

Learn More

Showered with Support: Kitten Shower Success

Thank you to everyone who donated to our 2025 Kitten Shower. We received 1,770 items and nearly $10,000 in donations to help care for the thousands of kittens that will come to our shelter this year.


We’d like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors, Larson Automotive Group, Korum for Kids Foundation, and Umpqua Bank. Your support for these tiny, vulnerable babies is truly appreciated!


As temperatures rise, so does the number of kittens in need of care at our shelter. If you didn't get a chance to donate to our Kitten Shower, your support is still needed to continue our life-changing work. Make a donation or purchase in-demand kitten care supplies from our Amazon Wishlist.

Staff Spotlight: Trina Vicente

Trina Vicente has been an invaluable asset to the shelter’s receiving team for over four years. Her passion for animal welfare is evident in her genuine approach to community members seeking pet-centric support. Trina also possesses a deep knowledge of canine behavior, holding professional certification from the Northwest School for Canine Studies. This expertise allows her to quickly and compassionately adapt to meet each animal’s individual needs.

Meet Trina

Animal Enrichment Family Craft Workshop

Animal Enrichment Family Craft Workshop

Monday, June 3, 2024

4-6 pm

2608 Center Street, Tacoma, WA 98409


Join us at the shelter for a family-friendly event where kids and adults can craft enrichment toys for dogs, cats, and rabbits, benefiting the mental well-being of our shelter pets. This fun and educational experience is perfect for families of all ages!

Learn More and RSVP

Community Events

The shelter's Outreach team always jumps at the chance to connect with the community, sharing our mission and letting people know about our services and how they can help. Swing by our booth at these upcoming family-friendly events:

Kidz Kraze Festival

Saturday, June 8, 2024

10 am-2 pm

Chambers Creek Regional Park - Central Meadows

6320 Grandview Dr. SW

University Place, WA 98467


Care and Compassion for Animals Presentation

Saturday, June 22, 2024

1-2 pm

Milton/Edgewood Library

900 Meridian Avenue East, Suite 29, Milton, WA 98354

Father's Day E-Cards

Father's Day is coming up on Sunday, June 16! Are you searching for something a little more special than the ordinary tie, wallet, or tools to gift the father figure in your life? Look no further! Show them you care while supporting the dogs, cats, and critters at our shelter and in the community: send them a Father's Day e-card! 

Send an E-Card

Paw It Forward

Panda Express - Friday, May 24, 2024

Love Panda Express? Indulge that craving while supporting local pets! This Friday, May 24, when you order online and pick up from ANY Panda Express location, 28% of your purchase will go back to our shelter's impactful programs when you use code 923484 at checkout. It's an easy, tasty way to help us provide life-saving services for pets in need and support to the people who love them. 

Order Here

Check out other local businesses that are making a difference for thousands of dogs, cats, and critters in your community and learn how you can Paw It Forward! 

Featured Pet: Ariel

Could Ariel be “Part of Your World?”


Just like her namesake under the sea, Ariel is a curious and adventurous spirit who dreams of finding her happily ever after with a loving family. 


The three-year-old pit bull terrier mix is a true treasure, always exploring her world with a wagging tail and a sparkle in her big Disney-character eyes. She’s sure to bring a splash of joy into your life.

Meet Ariel

April 2024 Adoptions

Thank you to our Pillar of Hope Sponsor

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