How Do We Manage a Record-Breaking Dog Capacity Crisis?

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is in the midst of a record-breaking capacity crisis as the shelter cares for 264 dogs, the highest number in seven years.

Fueled by the intake of 60 dogs and cats from a Pierce County Animal Control cruelty investigation on December 16, the capacity crisis has stretched the shelter’s resources beyond its limits. At the time of the large-scale intake, the shelter was caring for 147 dogs in the facility plus nearly 100 more in foster homes.

Now, just a week later, the number of dogs under the shelter’s care climbed to 264, further straining the shelter’s outdated facility and limited resources.

What happens when the number of incoming dogs exceeds the space we have to care for them?

This is more than a shelter problem—it’s a community-wide challenge that requires active involvement from everyone who cares about the welfare of animals and the people who love them. We are committed to empowering our community to take an active role in addressing this issue by providing pet support resources. These resources help keep owned pets with their families and prevent healthy lost pets from entering the shelter.

A key measure is helping lost pets stay out of the shelter while helping reunite them with their families, within the communities in which they are found.

Most lost pets don’t wander far from home. While many people believe the shelter is the best place for found animals, bringing them here may hinder their chances of quickly reuniting with the families. Temporarily caring for lost pets near where they were found is often the fastest way to get them back home.

Another vital strategy is our community members opening their hearts and homes to foster pets. Whether for just a few days or longer, fostering provides critical space in our shelter for animals who have no other options.

Where are all the dogs coming from?

As one of the few open-admission shelters in Washington, we do not refuse animals regardless of age, breed, medical condition, or behavior needs. However, the shelter’s outdated facility and limited resources make community support essential during this capacity crisis.

While we do not offer animal control services, we partner with several animal control agencies across Pierce County to support their efforts in caring for stray animals and those in need from their municipalities.

Since we take in animals in urgent need and in times of limited capacity, we ask pet owners looking to relinquish their animals to schedule an appointment to help coordinate the number of animals we care for to ensure they receive the best possible care.

How can you help now?

• Temporarily care for lost and found pets: Check for ID tags, post signs in the neighborhood where the pet was found, and use local lost-and-found platforms to help reunite the pet with their family. The shelter can assist by scanning for a microchip, posting found pets on our website, and providing additional support to facilitate reunification. Additionally, the shelter can provide food, supplies, and crates (while supplies last). For more information and resources, visit www.thehumanesociety.org/lostpets.
• Adopt: January 2-5, adoption fees will be waived for dogs 1 year and older. Your support can make a big difference for the dogs waiting to start the new year on the right paw with their new families! View available dogs.
• Foster: Can’t adopt? Consider becoming a foster volunteer. The shelter provides all supplies and veterinary care while you offer a safe, temporary space for a dog in need. Sign up to foster.
• Volunteer: Volunteers support the care of our dogs, cats, and critters. Opportunities span dog walking, event support, laundry assistance, photography, animal enrichment, and more. Sign up to volunteer.

This record-breaking capacity crisis underscores the vital role our community plays in supporting the shelter’s work. Whether you reunite a lost pet with their family, foster or adopt a dog, or volunteer your time, every action makes a difference in ensuring our shelter can continue being a lifeline for the pets who need us most.

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Photos courtesy of Pamela Weeks