Our mission is to protect and
promote the well-being of animals
and to foster positive relationships
between pets and people.

2608 Center Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
( Directions / Hours )
(253) 383-2733

Pet Owner Resources

Advice, tips and support for pet owners

Before you decide to relinquish your pet to the Humane Society, please the helpful information below regarding behavior tips. If you have no other choice than to bring your pet to the Humane Society, please be aware that while we do everything possible to find your pet a home, we cannot guarantee adoption for any pet.

Puppies turned in to the Humane Society must be at least 8 weeks old. Due to the overwhelming numbers of stray Pit Bulls brought to the Humane Society, and the difficulty in finding them appropriate homes, the Humane Society does not accept Pit Bulls from owners.

Tips on re-homing your Pit Bull - PDF

Tacoma, Fircrest, Dupont, Steilacoom, Wilkeson, South Prairie, Federal Way and unincorporated Pierce County:
Dogs two months and older: $67. Cats & Rabbits two months or older: $57 for one, $47 for each additional from the same household.

Lakewood:
$100 for dogs, cats, and rabbits two months or older

All other Pierce County municipalities and out-of-county:
Dogs two months and older: $100. Cats & Rabbits two months and older: $100 for one, $85 for each additional from the same household.

Litters: Regular price for mother and $15 for each puppy or kitten

Pit Bull Owners

The Responsi-Bull Project offers FREE spay and neuter, a FREE responsible pit bull ownership workshop, and FREE obedience classes for Pit Bulls and their owners. http://www.bullseyerescue.org/responsibull.htm

Pet Behavior Advice

Dog Behavior Tips

Cat Behavior Tips

Pet-Friendly Housing

You’ve probably heard heartbreaking stories, or have experienced them yourself. Perhaps you need to move, but can’t find suitable rental housing that will accept your pets. Or maybe you are a rental property manager who has had bad experiences with tenants’ unruly pets.

If you are a responsible pet owner with a well-mannered pet, but overwhelmed by the challenges of finding pet-friendly housing, don’t despair. With planning and a few compromises, you can find pet-friendly housing in virtually any area of the country. Your pet is worth the extra effort!

On the other hand, if you are a landlord wishing to decrease your vacancy rate, consider giving responsible pet owners a chance. Allowing renters with well-mannered pets can be a smart business move that will decrease turnover by attracting long-term, quality tenants.

Landlord Resources

Renter Resources

13 Steps to Finding Pet Friendly Housing - PDF
The Top Eight Concerns of Rental Managers and How to Address Them - PDF
Are You a Responsible Pet Owner - PDF
Creating a Pet Resume - PDF
Pet Friendly Hotels - PDF
Local Pet-friendly Apartments - PDF
How to Find, Keep and Enjoy a Pet-Friendly Rental - PDF

Emergency Pet Food Bank

The Humane Society’s food bank supplies pet food to those who are in temporary need of dog or cat food. The Food Bank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to Noon. In order to receive pet food you must provide:

Identification
Proof that your pets are spayed or neutered

If your pets are not altered, you will be given food the first visit, as well as vouchers to have your pets spayed or neutered for a minimal fee. Proof of spay/neuter must then be provided for subsequent food bank visits. (Proof that your pet is spayed or neutered can be provided by the veterinarian who performed the surgery, or by a veterinarian who examines the animal. In emergency situations where proof of spay/neuter is not available, the staff at the Humane Society can evaluate the animal’s status.)

Pet Loss Support Group

When someone you love dies, it is natural to feel overwhelming sadness, and to go through a grieving process from despair to healing and recovery. This is true whether the loss is of a beloved family member, or of a beloved pet.

Facilitated by trained volunteers, the Humane Society’s Pet Loss Support Group provides a safe, supportive environment where you can share your feelings and your memories among others who have experienced a similar loss. If you wish, you may simply listen and offer support for others who are grieving.

Talking about the loss of a pet can be an important part of the recovery process. In this discussion process, related topics frequently arise. Some of these issues include lost or stolen pets, euthanasia, assisting grieving children, the affect of loss upon other pets, and concerns around adopting another companion. The Pet Loss Support Group can help in coping with, and bringing closure to, these and other issues. If you wish, please bring a photograph, drawing, poem, or letter in honor of your pet to add to the Pet Loss Memory Book. This book is kept at the meetings as a special place for you to honor your pet, and to draw comfort from other entries.

This support group meets each Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the Humane Society. There is no charge for these meetings.

» Download our Pet Loss Support Group flyer

Cremation Services

The hardest part of loving a pet is knowing when to let go. When your pet’s quality of life is deteriorating – when he or she is no longer interested in food, experiencing extreme pain, overly depressed, or cannot control defecation or urination - it is time to do the truly loving thing and make a decision about helping them on their way.

The Humane Society encourages you to schedule a euthanasia appointment with your veterinarian when the time comes. If you choose, you can bring your pet to the shelter. However, the Humane Society does not offer pet euthanasia with the owner present. For this service, you must make an appointment with your veterinarian.

What is Cremation?

Cremation is a specialized process by which intense heat is used to reduce the remains to a sandy ash. For thousands of years, in all parts of the world, cremation has been an accepted, and often preferred, alternative to burial. You can bring your deceased pet to the shelter any time during business hours, and the ashes will be ready within one week.

» Download our cremation fees

Remembering Your Pet

Doing something special as a remembrance for your pet can help you cope with the often overwhelming grief of losing a beloved friend. Here are some ideas for remembering your pet:

Invite some friends to a memorial service. Your pet’s urn of ashes, and a vase of flowers, can serve as a focal point for sharing stories and photos of your pet. Memorial services can be comforting and provide a sense of closure. You may also discover how deeply your pet has touched the lives of others.

Honor your pet with a tribute. A contribution to the Humane Society in your pet’s name will help provide homeless pets with a more hopeful future.

Create a memorial for your pet. Incorporate your pet’s ashes into a memorial stone, plant a tree or garden where the ashes can be buried, or form a special niche in your home to display your pet’s urn.

Cremation Urn Options

» Learn more at ForeverPets.com

Other Animal Shelters

Animal Control

If the pet is wearing a license, call your local animal control/pet licensing agency for the owner information. Animal control officers will bring strays without licenses to the Humane Society for sheltering.