Pet Mayor for a Day Set to Return
The contest that brought Tacoma together to support spay and neuter is coming back
Did you miss your chance to vote your beloved pet into office last year? Good news! The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County (Tacoma Humane) and the City of Tacoma are teaming up again to bring back the Pet Mayor Photo Contest, giving your pet another shot at the spotlight while supporting an incredible cause.
From June 1 – 12, rally your pet’s biggest fans to vote and help them earn the title of Tacoma’s Pet Mayor for a Day. Every dollar raised supports spay and neuter programs that prevent unwanted litters and keep more pets healthy.
Last year, the contest raised $14,335 from 317 voters. While 48 pets competed for the title, it was Nacho the cat who came out on top, earning his place as Tacoma’s first-ever pet mayor. Before his swearing-in ceremony at Tacoma City Hall on December 16, Nacho even met former Mayor Victoria Woodards and posed for a photo on her desk.
Former City of Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, Pet Mayor Nacho, Nacho’s human Kanani, and Council Member John Hines at Nacho’s swearing in ceremony.
The contest’s impact even caught the attention of the international animal welfare organization Humane World, which featured the effort to inspire other organizations to consider it as a creative fundraising model.
“The 2025 Pet Mayor contest was truly one of the highlights of our year,” said Tacoma Humane Director of Development Beth Brooks. “The community showed up with so much enthusiasm, creativity, and love for their pets. It was wonderful to see.”
So far this year, our shelter team has helped more than 300 pets receive spay and neuter surgeries, including owned pets and community cats. Proceeds from this year’s contest will help expand that impact, ensuring even more animals receive the care they need.
“Preventing unwanted litters is one of the most impactful ways we can reduce shelter intake, and this contest makes that work possible,” Brooks added.
Ready to put your pet on the ballot? Follow us on social media @TacomaHumane to learn when the contest opens.
