Under Construction: Building Tomorrow’s Adoption Hub

Sometimes the most unexpected challenges become the biggest opportunities. That’s exactly what happened at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County in June, when what started as a routine plumbing issue turned into something much bigger, but has opened the door to envisioning a better space.  

It began with what seemed like a simple clog on a Friday morning. Our facilities team jumped into action, expecting to have everything back to normal by Saturday’s opening. But, overnight, our troubles escalated beyond anything we could have imagined. A sewage flood damaged our adoption lobby beyond repair, forcing us to completely rethink how we operate. 

Making Happy Happen with Less Space

Rather than let this setback stop us, our incredible team transformed a small counter at our west entrance into a fully functioning adoption center within two days. It isn’t ideal, but thanks to our team and our community, we’ve been making it work. Operating from just a quarter of our usual space, we’ve managed 1,914 successful adoptions since June 1. Imagine what becomes possible when we create a purpose-built environment designed specifically for connecting hearts and homes.  

Creed and his adopter!

What’s Coming: A Purpose-Built Space for Connection

Instead of simply rebuilding what was lost, our team saw this challenge as a chance to reimagine how we serve animals and families. We’ve partnered with Animal Arts, the nation’s leading architecture firm specializing in animal-centric design, to create something truly special. 

Our new adoption lobby will feature: 

• Streamlined workflow to improve adoption experiences  

• Thoughtfully designed meeting spaces that help you connect with your perfect pet 

• Increased capacity for life-saving work through more efficient space utilization  

The Journey Ahead 

Construction begins this week (Sept. 15) with Saybr Contractors, Inc., a Tacoma-based, woman-owned general contractor leading the project. They’re taking a collaborative approach to minimize disruption for our animals and staff. 

Shelter staff and the Saybr team talk through building plans.

Thanks to our incredible foster volunteers and our network of local rescue partners, we have been able to place our rabbits in foster homes, transfer several of our other small animals, and send quite a few cats out to foster homes so that the cats housed in our downstairs cat housing space aren’t here for the noisiest phases of construction. Our dog kennels should not be impacted by construction, at this time.   

What This Means for Visitors

During construction, here’s what you can expect: 

Adoptions & General Visits: 

• Continue to use our west entrance (formerly the Pet Food & Supply Pantry door) 

• Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

• Due to limited space, adopters will be encouraged to wait in their vehicles until paged once they’ve been added to our waitlist 

• Please note that the main staircase will not be accessible; visitors are encouraged to use the elevator to access adoptable cats housed on the second floor. 

Pet Food & Supply Pantry:

• Now operating out of a storage pod on the back side of our property, adjacent to the lower play yard as a drive-up or walk-up  

• Same operation schedule of Wednesdays and Saturdays, 12 – 4 p.m. 

Lost & Found Services: 

• Continue as usual through our Public Animal Receiving entrance 

• Same operating schedule of Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

A Community Effort

Due to insurance limitations, the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is funding the $607,000 transformational project through community support. Thanks to some leadership donations, we’ve already secured $265,000. That leaves $285,000 still needed to complete this vision.  

If you’d like support our vision for the future, you can make a donation here. Our development team is also available to provide more information about how the project and/or how your investment can make an impact. Please reach out to us at 253-284-5840 or development@thehumanesociety.org, and one of our team members will be glad to connect with you.  

Your support doesn’t just restore what was, it creates what should be. When you invest in our new adoption lobby, you’re ensuring that every family who walks through our doors experiences the warmth, efficiency, and joy that leads to perfect matches between pets and people. You’re helping us design spaces that streamline our adoption process, reduce stress for animals, and ultimately save more lives.  

Looking Forward

We can see beyond construction barriers, into a future space designed specifically for creating those magical moments when pets find their perfect family. 

In the meantime, we thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time of transition and growth. Quarters are cramped, things are not where you are used to finding them, and more change is certainly yet to come before we cut the ribbon on our beautiful new space.  

We’re excited to share updates as construction progresses and can’t wait to welcome you into our new space! 

Follow us on social media and/or check back here on our website for the latest updates. And if you’re thinking about adopting, don’t let the construction stop you—we’re still here, still saving lives, and still helping families grow every single day. 

Visit Us During Construction:

• Adoptions: West entrance, Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

• Pet Food & Supply Pantry: Main entrance, Wednesday and Saturday 12 – 4 p.m. 

• Lost & Found: Public Animal Receiving entrance, no change during construction, still daily from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.