Welcoming Our Community With “Open Arms”
At the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, we are dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming space for all—pets and people alike. However, animal welfare hasn’t always been as equitable as it is today. And while great progress has been made in eliminating exclusionary adoption applications and easing requirements to foster or even volunteer, there is still much work to be done. That’s where Maddie’s Fund’s Open Arms Challenge comes in.
The Open Arms Challenge ran throughout April and encouraged animal shelters and animal welfare organizations focused on keeping pets and people together to pilot new and inclusive approaches. The goal was to open doors to new adopters and volunteers, and to cultivate a welcoming environment.
Our team embraced this challenge along with 242 other organizations across the nation, and took steps to make it easier for our community to adopt or foster by embracing open and inclusive practices and programs. Additionally, we are proud to share that Maddie’s Fund and the Open Arms Challenge sponsors recognized our shelter’s efforts with a generous grant.
Participating in this challenge has been a transformative experience for our shelter. Here’s what we did to make a meaningful impact:
Equitable and Inclusive Practices
We now accept applications for court-mandated volunteer hours, removing a significant barrier for potential volunteers. In partnership with a local public defender, we’re now connecting individuals needing court-mandated hours to our programs. We’ve already seen a number of applications roll in thanks to this initiative.
Enhanced Customer Success
Our service improvements include recruiting bilingual volunteers and updating our phone system to better serve Spanish-speaking community members. This ensures that more people can access our pet support services quickly and effectively.
Inclusive Marketing
We’ve expanded our outreach by distributing 300 brochures in new segments of our community, reaching individuals who previously didn’t know about our services. Additionally, a demographic survey with 112 responses is helping us better understand and serve our diverse community.
Fostering an Open Culture
Our DEI Committee hosted an informative session for all staff, fostering open communication and awareness about overcoming biases. This initiative is strengthening our organizational culture and commitment to inclusivity, a promise we made not only during this challenge, but in our Three-Year Strategic Plan.
Building Strong Partnerships
We partnered with organizations like FOB (Forward Operating Base) Hope in Tacoma and Washington Health Outreach to provide essential resources such as pet food, spay/neuter vouchers, and transportation assistance. These collaborations have helped us reach and support historically marginalized populations, reducing barriers for families in need.
Ongoing Commitments and Future Plans
We’re dedicated to continuing these new practices. Our volunteer program will thrive with ongoing court referrals, bilingual support, and targeted outreach. Mobile pet food pantries and expanded spay/neuter services will remain integral to our mission.
A Heartwarming Story
One of the most touching moments from the Challenge was helping Mazikeen, a dog living at FOB Hope. After struggling for over a year to secure a spay surgery appointment due to various challenges, including access to veterinary care, Mazikeen finally received the care she needed thanks to our combined efforts. This is just one of many stories that highlight the tangible difference our work is making in the lives of pets and their owners.
Support in Numbers
In April 2024 alone, our efforts led to supporting 798 animals through pet food pantries, 29 vouchers redeemed, and 135 vaccines administered, including 112 at our own monthly Vaccine and Wellness Clinic. Our community outreach was truly impactful, providing vital support to countless pets and their owners.
This groundwork will have lasting ripple effects, from shelter diversion to enhanced well-being for both pets and people. As we continue to embrace everyone who enters our doors, we remain committed to making a positive, enduring difference in the lives of pets and the people who love them.
