Celebrating Animal Control Appreciation Week
A Look into Our Community’s Collaboration for Compassionate Pet Care
Animal Control Officer holding a shelter cat.
In honor of Animal Control Appreciation Week, discover how our community and local animal control collaborate to foster a compassionate community for pets and the people who love them!
Inside the Heart of an Open Admission Shelter
As one of few open admission shelters in Washington state, we welcome animals regardless of their age, breed, medical conditions, or behavioral needs.
As the largest intake shelter in the state, the moment one animal is adopted, their spot is quickly filled by another furry friend in need.
Empowering Communities for Positive Change for Pets
To effectively manage the continuous influx of animals, our appointment-based intake system empowers the community to play an active role in giving pets a second chance.
Through this system, community members can schedule appointments to bring in found pets, thereby minimizing the number of animals entering the shelter and maximizing opportunities for reuniting with their owners. This approach, aligned with national sheltering standards, offers several benefits:
- Reduces stress for both people and lost animals.
- Enables better preparation and management of shelter resources.
- Increases our capacity to serve more pets and people effectively.
- Helps us respond promptly to critical situations and emergencies.
- Controls the spread of disease within the shelter environment.
This system thrives with our community’s support. Research shows that most lost pets are found close to home and bringing them to shelters can decrease their chances of reuniting with their families. In fact, holding onto a lost pet and actively seeking its owner greatly increases the likelihood of a happy reunion.
Sheltering Hope: Our Partnership with Animal Control
While our open admission shelter provides a haven for our community’s pets in need, a significant number of animals coming through our doors is from partnerships with local animal control agencies. The shelter contracts with various animal control agencies serving multiple municipalities, including the City of Tacoma, Federal Way, and Pierce County.
Through these partnerships, we extend shelter and essential care to animals brought in by collaborating animal control officers.
Animal control officers serve as the first responders for animal emergencies, offering invaluable assistance to both animals and members of our community. Their responsibilities range from investigating reports of animal abuse, cruelty, and neglect to facilitating the reunification of lost pets with their owners in the field.
Libby and her adopter!
Senior pit bull Libby arrived at our shelter by way of Tacoma Animal Control. She was suffering from one of the largest masses we have ever seen on her upper right leg, causing immense pain and immobility. Thanks to generous donors and collaboration with Blue Pearl’s veterinary specialty team, her leg and the 10 lb. mass were amputated, saving her life.
One of the abandoned cats recovering at the shelter.
Three Cats Abandoned in Garbage Bags
A concerned community member discovered three large garbage bags discarded outside the Federal Way Community Center. Inside each closed bag, they found a severely neglected cat stuffed in a feces-caked crate. Federal Way Animal Control came to their aid and brought them to our shelter for care. After likely enduring weeks of suffering, our team provided them with food, water, blankets, and veterinary care. The cats, grateful for love and care, had a safe and comfortable place to rest before finding new loving families.
Shelter staff assisting with the removal of 246 rabbits from one property.
246 Rabbits
Pierce County Animal Control discovered a case of animal cruelty involving 246 rabbits and worked with our shelter to get them the care they needed. This marked the shelter’s largest intake in a single day. Through combined efforts of Pierce County Animal Control, our shelter, rescue partners, and our compassionate community, the rabbits received the care, medical attention, and all found loving homes.
Through collaborative efforts with animal control officers, neglected, abused, and injured animals are given a second chance at a better life. We’re thankful to our animal control partners, whose dedication and expertise help ensure the safety and well-being of our community’s beloved pets!
