A Letter from Our CEO: Together We Rose and How 2024 Prepared Us for Today
Now that we’re well into 2025, 2024 can feel like a distant memory. But looking back, it’s clear that last year shaped who we are today. It tested our resilience, pushed us to adapt, and changed the way we serve pets and people in our community. The strength we built in 2024 has already carried us through new challenges, like the lobby flood this summer, while keeping our focus exactly where it belongs: on the animals who need us most.
How 2024 Compared to 2023
In 2024, the need for community support grew in ways we couldn’t ignore. Our Pet Food & Supply Pantry distributed more than 30,000 additional pounds of pet food compared to 2023, helping thousands of pets stay with the families who love them. We expanded our monthly Vaccine and Wellness Clinics, more than doubling the number of pets served to keep animals healthy and protected. And we showed up at more community events than ever before, connecting with neighbors, supporters, and fellow animal lovers face-to-face.
Challenges We Faced and Successes We Achieved
2024 wasn’t without its hurdles. Our facility and resources were stretched beyond their usual limits. In October, we took in 130 cats from a single location, one of the largest cat intakes in years, and at the same time, we faced the highest dog population in nearly a decade.
But with your support, we rose to meet those moments. We maintained a 92% live release rate, exceeding the national animal welfare standard of 90%. When our Pet Food & Supply Pantry shelves went bare, you filled them again with truckloads of food, allowing us to distribute more than 120,000 pounds throughout the year. Volunteers, fosters, adopters, and donors all stepped forward proving again that every part of our mission is truly a community effort.
We also made progress on long-term dreams. Thanks to generous grantors and supporters, we secured funding for a Mobile Veterinary Unit, something we had aspired to make a reality. Construction of the custom vehicle began in late 2024, and earlier this year we proudly introduced S.P.O.T. (Spay/Neuter, Preventative Medicine, Outreach, and Transport) to our community.
Revisiting Our Strategic Plan
The challenges of 2024 pushed us to revisit our Three-Year Strategic Plan. The world of animal welfare is changing quickly, and we knew we had to change with it. By refocusing our priorities, we’re making sure our programs address the greatest needs today while also preparing us to build a stronger, more sustainable future for pets and people tomorrow. We look forward to sharing more of our vision and market research findings with you soon!
Building on 2024 in 2025
Already this year, we’ve launched Friendly Finders, a new initiative that helps lost pets reunite with their families without ever entering the shelter. With the help of S.P.O.T., we’ve also expanded our targeted TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) work, partnering with community cat caretakers to humanely and effectively reduce outdoor cat populations.
We’ve strengthened partnerships with the communities we call home: Tacoma and Pierce County, working side by side with our municipal partners to strengthen our shared commitment to the animals and the people who love them.
All of this is just part of the story, since the year isn’t over yet! I invite you to join me in reflection and seeing how far we’ve come in a short time. Take a closer look at 2024’s progress and achievements in our annual impact report.
Thank you for standing with us through every challenge and every triumph. Together, we are building a more compassionate future.
With gratitude,
Leslie Dalzell
CEO, The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County
