Post-Adoption Support

Check out Petszel, our post adoption support platform! Petszel provides guided support for timely tips on training and wellness; smart reminders about vaccines and vet visits; and trusted resources featuring expert advice. It’s a one stop shop for everything you need to give your new companion a healthy, happy start!

Your Adoption Perks Packet, vaccine/medical records, and important information handouts can be found in Petszel as well.

Adopterluv is an online portal for adopters where they can find their new pet’s medical history, vaccination records, microchip information, and adoption documents. Once an adoption is completed in our shelter software, Shelterluv, an email is sent with instructions to login to your portal.

Your Adoption Perks Packet, vaccine/medical records, and important information handouts can be found in Adopterluv as well.

We’re here to help! All of our adoptions come with free pet care counseling. Our team works with adopters to give support and resources for your newly adopted pets. Please email us to discuss your pet with a Pet Support Counselor at petsupport@thehumanesociety.org

Petszel also provides helpful articles about common behaviors and training tips for newly adopted pets or you can view our pet behavior tips on our Pet Behavior Tips page.

Check your chip registration and create a profile with 24petwatch. Find more information about the importance of keeping microchip information up-to-date, common microchip companies, and how to update your microchip information on our website.

You may have received a pet license at the time of adoption. If not, licensing is quick and easy, simply visit your city or county website to find your area’s specific requirements and process. You can find pet licensing information for the jurisdictions we serve on our pet licensing page on our website.

We want this to be the right match for both you and your new pet, and we’re here to help make that happen. If you’re running into challenges, please reach out to our Pet Support team. We offer guidance and resources to help you and your new companion settle in together.

If things still aren’t working out, you may return your pet to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County within thirty (30) days of adoption for a refund or exchange. Please note that pet license fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. To return a pet adopted within the last 30 days, you can schedule an appointment online.

After the 30-day window has passed, please contact our Pet Support team. We’ll work with you to find the best path forward for you and your pet.

If your pet has had surgery, review your pet’s medical records for after-care instructions. Keep their surgery site dry during healing and reach out to our team, following the guidelines in the Medical Care for Adopted Pets handout in your adoption packet, by submitting a contact form here.

Please note Tacoma Humane does not provide vet care post adoption for any additional concerns, only for post-surgical care.

Reach out to our First Vet Visit Program Partners to utilize your First Vet Visit Certificate, which includes a complimentary veterinary health exam and 14-day follow-up care!

How to Redeem the Certificate

• Schedule an appointment with one of the participating veterinary hospitals via phone call up to 14 days after adoption.
• Mention this certificate and that you recently adopted from the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.
• Bring the certificate to your appointment, either printed or electronically and show it to the staff upon check in.

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC)

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), also known as kennel cough, is a very common disease in dogs adopted from shelters. CIRDC is spread by air and hands, therefore it is as common in an animal shelter as the common cold is in a day care center. All dogs and puppies 6 weeks and older are vaccinated against kennel cough when they receive the Bordetella vaccine at the shelter, but vaccinated puppies/dogs can still come down with kennel cough. If your dog(s) develop a hacking cough, discharge from eyes and nose, lethargy or loss of appetite, you should make an appointment with a veterinarian.

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection

Feline upper respiratory infection (URI) is extremely common in cats and is similar to a “common cold” in humans. All cats and kittens 6 weeks and older are vaccinated against illnesses that can cause URIs when they receive the FVRCP vaccine at the shelter, but vaccinated kittens/cats can still come down with a URI. If your cat(s) develop sneezing, nasal congestion, loss of appetite, fever, or discharge from their eyes and nose, you should make an appointment with a veterinarian.

FeLV and FIV

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County does not routinely test for FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) in cats. We recommend that you discuss FeLV and FIV testing with your veterinarian, and follow their recommendations.

All dogs and cats will need additional vaccine boosters until they have reached 16-20 weeks of age and have completed the series appropriate for their lifestyle. Please seek the advice of your regular veterinarian. Rabies is required by law beginning at 12 weeks of age for dogs and cats.

You can find your new pet’s vaccination and medical records in your Petszel and Adopterluv Dashboards. You can also request them from our Veterinary Team using this request form.