Staff Spotlight: Whitney Mason

Whitney cuddles with a shelter kitten.

Meet Whitney Mason! Whitney is one of our foster leads who helps place animals who need a little extra TLC outside of the shelter in loving foster homes before they’re ready to find adoptive homes.  

Q. What is your role at the shelter?

A. At the shelter, I help coordinate temporary homes for animals that need a place away from our facility. This can include everything from neonatal kittens and puppies, dogs, and cats displaying stress in a kennel setting, animals undergoing treatment for medical conditions, and more.

Q. How long have you been a staff member?

A. I have been a staff member since October 2021, and a part of the foster program specifically since May 2022.

Q. What does a day in your life at the shelter look like?

A. One of the fun parts of my job is that no two days are exactly alike! There are some tasks that are continuous though, such as sending requests for foster homes, filling supplies, answering emails , and caring for any kittens or puppies that may not be able to eat on their own. The Foster Department works hand in hand with every department of the shelter, so whether we’re helping clean up a very sick kitten or talking to a potential adopter about a foster animal, we’re here to lend a hand.

Q. What made you want to work at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County?

A. I have always been passionate about animals, and always knew that I wanted to work with them. As a child, I would watch television shows about veterinarians and wildlife activists and wish that I could be in their shoes! When I was looking for a job, I saw an opening with the shelter and I’ve worked here ever since.

Q. What’s your favorite part of working here?

A. Aside from kitty/puppy snuggles, I think my favorite part of working here has to be watching kittens and puppies grow up and find their next adventures through adoption. It brings me so much joy to know that I helped to make a difference in their little lives.

Q. Why are you so passionate about the work we do?

A. Having a passion for my work is easy when I get to help in a big way every day! Foster parents are literal lifesavers, and it’s rewarding to watch animals find their future families.

Q. Any special stories you’d like to share? 

A. One of the stories that really sticks out to me is the huge rabbit confiscation case that came our way at the beginning of this year. I was tasked with running mass foster onboardings to get bunnies into homes that would love and care for them while we figured out what the next steps would be in their journey. It was a labor of love, and I’m thrilled to have been able to make such a positive impact for those rabbits.

Whitney with a shelter dog.

Interested in a career at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County? Check out our careers page for opportunities and apply today!