New Five-Year Contract with Pierce County Reflects Shared Commitment to Animal Welfare

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello visits the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County and spends time with Willow, a Labrador retriever mix, in July 2025.

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County’s updated contract with Pierce County officially took effect on June 1, 2025. This renewed five-year partnership ensures continued support for lost and stray animals brought to our shelter by Pierce County Animal Control officers and compassionate members of the community. It also reflects Pierce County’s ongoing investment in supporting our community’s pets and their families. 

“We are pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County,“ said Ryan N. Mello, Pierce County executive. “Their team’s quality care, especially for animals rescued through our Animal Control operations, brings compassionate relief and support.” 

Focusing on the Pets Who Need Us Most

Under this updated agreement, residents who need to surrender a pet will now be responsible for the $400 per animal fee. However, we will work with them to reduce or eliminate the fee through our programs. 

This change reinforces our mission as a family-first shelter. By helping pet owners access the resources they need to keep their animals or rehome through appropriate channels, we can ensure more pets remain where they belong: with the people who love them. 

“While this is a shift from past practices, it allows us to more accurately reflect the true cost of care and prioritize our resources for pets with no other options,” said Leslie Dalzell, chief executive officer at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. “With the support of the county’s leadership, we can continue to be more than a shelter for pets and their people in our community.”  

Board member Shannon Bell-Peterson, Chief Executive Officer Leslie Dalzell, and Mello enjoy some fun in the sun with Willow.

Pet Rehoming Support for Pierce County Residents

To ease this transition and support shelter diversion when possible, we offer reduced surrender fees for pet owners who take proactive steps before bringing their pet to the shelter. These include: 

• Listing the pet on our rehoming platforms 

• Providing proof of sterilization 

• Supplying current vaccine and medical records 

• And more! 

Additionally, income-qualified Pierce County residents (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) are eligible for percentage-based discounts, helping ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of a pet’s second chance. 

Why These Updates Matter

Every pet that comes through our doors deserves the best chance at a safe, loving future. When pet owners are part of the rehoming process, we gain valuable information that helps us match pets to homes faster and reduce stress on both animals and people. At the same time, these changes help us preserve critical shelter space for animals in urgent need—those without another path to safety. 

Dalzell gives Mello a tour of the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County’s facility.

What About Other Municipalities?

Our shelter also contracts directly with several cities within Pierce County. Tacoma, Lakewood, Fircrest, Dupont, and Steilacoom maintain separate agreements.  

For pet owners outside our service area, we accept owner surrenders only as space and resources allow. The fee for non-service-area surrenders remains $500 per pet, with the same fee reduction opportunities available to Tacoma and Pierce County residents, except for income-based discounts. 

Get Support & Learn More

For full details on our owner surrender process and rehoming resources, please visit the “Rehoming Your Pet” page on our website. 

Thank you, Pierce County, for being part of this important work. By working together, we’re creating a community where every pet has a path to safety and every person has the support they need to make the best choice for their animals.