A Closer Look at How Owner Surrender Fees Support Animals in Care
Deciding that you can no longer care for a beloved pet is one of the hardest choices an owner can face. At the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, we understand just how difficult that decision can be. The bond between a person and their pet is deep, and that’s why, above all else, we approach every surrender experience with empathy, and support.
When we updated the fee structure for rehoming pets (our “owner surrender fee”) earlier in the year, it sparked some conversation. We’ve heard your questions and concerns, so we’re sharing more about why the change happened, how it works, and what it means for the animals in our care and the people who entrust that responsibility to us.
What Does it Truly Take to Care for a Pet at Tacoma Humane?
As the highest-intake shelter in our region, we care for thousands of animals with a wide range of needs, histories, and outcomes. Whether an animal stays for a few days or several weeks, each one receives individualized attention from the moment they arrive.
On average, pets spend just over nine days in our shelter. During that time, we provide safety and comfort, while actively preparing each animal for their next chapter, be it reunification with family, transfer to a partner rescue, or adoption into a new home.
Every animal that enters our shelter receives:
What Are Owner Surrender Fees?
Owner surrender fees are common among animal shelters across the country. They help offset the cost of caring for and rehoming pets that owners can no longer keep.
Historically, our organization charged $70 per pet. While the fee was meant to support a portion of the cost of care, it never reflected the total investment required to provide a safe and healthy shelter experience. In June 2025, we updated the base owner surrender fee to $400 per animal.
Why Did the Fee Increase?
The decision to increase our fees was not made lightly. But in reviewing the true cost of care and the limitations of previous funding, it became clear that we needed a more sustainable model to continue meeting the needs of animals and pet owners in our region.
This increase followed the renewal of our contracts with the City of Tacoma and Pierce County. Under previous agreements, owner surrenders were partially subsidized through city and county funding. Those subsidies are no longer included in the updated contracts.
How Was the New Surrender Fee Determined?
To determine a fair amount, we worked closely with our teams across multiple departments, from Animal Receiving to Medical and Animal Care. From that analysis across our services, we calculated $400 is the average cost of providing three days of baseline care for an animal entering the shelter.
It’s important to note that this amount does not cover the full cost of a pet’s stay. Most animals remain in our care well beyond three days, and many require services that far exceed that baseline. The owner surrender fee helps offset these costs.
Surrender fees help us:
- Provide comprehensive medical and behavioral care
- Support pet owners facing difficult decisions
- Sustain services for the nearly 10,000 animals we care for each year
How Much Do Most Owners Pay?
Every year, many families across Pierce County face unplanned life changes such as job loss, housing challenges, health concerns, family transitions, or other hardships that impact their ability to care for a pet. While we deeply hope pets can remain in loving homes, we also know that sometimes circumstances make that impossible. In those moments, we strive to be a resource, not a barrier.
We know that $400 is not a small amount, especially in a time when pet care costs can already be burdensome. That’s why we offer reduced surrender fee options to ease this impact for pet owners who need it most. Thanks to our generous donors, most pet owners end up paying much less than the base rate.
We reduce surrender fees based on income and other pet care criteria, which can significantly lower or even eliminate the cost for some families. In fact, under our current structure, the average surrender fee actually paid is about $130 per pet, and one‑third of pet owners pay nothing at all.
*Support-Based Fee Adjustments are only available for residents of the City of Tacoma, Carbonado, Fife, University Place, South Prairie, Wilkeson, Orting, and unincorporated Pierce County.
These adjustments recognize the circumstances community members face when they come to us for help.
We’re Here for You and Your Pet
We are here to help pets and people in our community navigate some of life’s biggest moments. That’s a big responsibility, and we don’t take it lightly.
Our practices are built on national industry standards, and we constantly consult with leading animal welfare experts to ensure that every decision and every policy reflects the most compassionate and effective approach possible. Our hope is this information doesn’t just explain our surrender fees but also honors our pet owners’ journey through this challenging time.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.
Thank you for being part of our caring community!
