Rehoming Your Pet

Resources to Keep Your Pet

Pet Behavior Tips

We have a host of resources and training tips for common pet behavioral issues. Check out our Pet Behavior Tips webpage to help get your pet back on track.

Veterinary and Animal Care Assistance

Unexpected veterinary expenses can put families in a tough position, but you don’t have to face it alone. There are organizations and programs that may be able to help cover the cost of care and keep pets where they belong, safe and loved at home. View our list of financial assistance resources for pet owners in need here.

Pet Food and Supplies Assistance

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County’s Pet Food & Supply Pantry provides pet food and supplies to those who are in temporary need of dog or cat food and supplies. The Pet Food & Supply Pantry is open every Saturday and Wednesday from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Please note, in order to receive pet food, you must provide identification and proof that your pets are spayed or neutered. If your pets are not altered, you will be given food for the first visit (up to a month’s worth) and you will need to show proof at the next visit to be eligible.

Other Pet Food Options

Seattle Humane Pet Food Bank
(425) 649 – 7566
Seattle, WA

Finding Pet-Friendly Housing

Whether you’re moving around town or out of state, check out this Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental guide to help you find the right home for both you and your pets.

Temporary Pet Boarding

Dogs on Deployment is an online network for service members to search for temporary homes for their beloved pets until they return.

The Rover app and website connects dog and cat guardians with pet sitters, temporary boarding, and dog walkers in their neighborhoods. This platform can help you find a dog walker for the day, overnight boarding for a month, or daily visits for your pet. 

Preparing Your Pet for a New Baby

Bringing a baby into the household comes with a multitude of changes for both you and your pets. You can help your pets adjust before and after the baby arrives. Check out this Preparing Your Pet for Baby’s Arrival guide for helpful tips.

Emergency Assistance

RedRover helps pets in need of emergency shelter due to a natural disaster, owner hospitalization, domestic violence, or other crises.

Military Support

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Pet Transportation Allowance

Through the Department of Defense, a Service member may be authorized allowances associated with the costs of moving with one household pet, either a cat or dog. For moves within the continental U.S., the Service member may be reimbursed up to $550 and for outside the continental U.S., up to $2,000. Visit the Defense Travel Management Office for additional information.

Pet Support Resource Database

Use pets.findhelp.com to search for free or low cost pet support services like veterinary care, pet food pantries, temporary pet care and more.

Rehoming Your Pet

Finding Your Pet a New Home

We strongly encourage pet owners to find a new home through private methods, whenever possible. There are many resources for finding a home for your pet.

Home To Home™

This is a free rehoming website for pet owners who need to find a new home for their pets including dogs, cats, and other animals. Pets can go from one home right into another, which means less stress for animals and humans alike!

Rehome by Adopt-A-Pet

This site is used by many shelter and rescue organizations. Potential adopters might already be looking at this website for their future pet, so it is a great place to list any animal looking for a new home. Make sure to thoroughly read what the potential adopter has written to see if they are a good match for your pet.

Rescue Me!

You can post your pet with all their information, rehoming fee, likes or dislikes, and any other valuable knowledge for new owners. Potential homes will contact you and set up a time to meet your pet. A picture goes a long way, so try to find a good one.

Petfinder

Petfinder allows you to search for rescue groups in and around your area. It will connect you to groups that may be able to help by accepting your pet, posting your pet for adoption, or offering additional resources.

Craigslist

On Craigslist, please make sure to thoroughly vet potential homes by using an application and/or a rehoming fee. Pictures can help animals get more interest from potential adopters. Meeting at a mutual spot and bringing someone with you is recommended. You can post in the pet section, but certain animals might be better listed in the farm and garden section (outdoor cats, farm dogs).

Nextdoor

Nextdoor can connect you to people in your neighborhood or surrounding area. You can post locally and hopefully find someone close by that might be interested. This makes meeting up with people easier for both parties.

Facebook

There are many rehoming groups on Facebook. In the search bar, you can search key phrases like “PNW rehoming”, “Washington State pets rehoming”, and “adoptable animals Washington” or anything similar should show several rehoming groups.

 

Need help advertising your pet? Canva provides many free usable flyer templates that can be used to advertise your pet. These can be placed in areas to find a potential adopter: feed stores, pet stores, outdoor stores, grooming shops, grocery stores, churches, gyms, etc.

Check with Local Animal Rescues

From dogs to exotic animals, there are plenty of animal rescues that may be able to find a new home for your pet or possibly provide temporary housing.

Other Local Organizations

Seattle Humane Society
(425) 641-0080
Bellevue, WA

Auburn Valley Humane Society
(253) 249-7849
Auburn, WA

Metro Animal Services
(253) 299-7387
Puyallup, WA

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC)
(206) 296-7387
Kent, WA

Seattle Animal Shelter
(206) 386-7387
Seattle, WA

Homeward Pet Adoption Center
(425) 488-4444
Woodinville, WA

Everett Animal Services
(425) 257-6000
Everett, WA

Animal Services for Thurston County
(360) 352-2510
Olympia, WA

Kitsap Humane Society
(360) 692-6977
Silverdale, WA

PAWS
(425) 787-2500
Lynnwood, WA

NOAH
(360) 629-7055
Stanwood, WA

Motley Zoo Animal Rescue
(206) 453-8480
Redmond, WA

Pasado’s Safe Haven
(360) 793-9393
Sultan, WA

Humane Society for Cowlitz County
(360) 577-0151
Longview, WA

Cat Rescue Groups

MEOW Cat Rescue
(425) 822-6369
Kirkland, WA

Purrfect Pals (elderly cats or cats with health issues)
(360) 652-9611
Arlington, WA

South County Cats (feral cats)
(206) 910-4495
Maple Valley, WA

Wags & Whiskers
(509) 246-1245
Ephrata, WA

Stevens Co Cat Care
(509) 935-6369
Chewelah, WA

WA Cat Tales Rescue
(425) 488-2338
Everett, WA

Feline Friends
(360) 866-0599
Olympia, WA

Friends of the Animals
(206) 719-4864
West Seattle, WA

Friends of Campus Cats
(206) 442-2051
Seattle, WA

Kitty Haven (kittens under 4 months)
Tacoma, WA

Maya Feline Rescue
(509) 307-3504
Wapato, WA

Whisker City
(206) 542-0947
Shoreline, WA

Seattle Area Feline Rescue
(206) 659 – 6220
Shoreline, WA

Dog Rescue Groups

Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue (purebred dogs)
(206) 654-1117
Redmond, WA

Old Dog Haven (dogs over the age of 8 years old)
(206) 280-7614
Oak Harbor, WA

DRAW-Dog Rescue Around Washington
(253) 472-1523
Tacoma, WA

The Pit Stops Here
(360) 914-4252
Oak Harbor, WA

Power Breed Rescue
(509) 334 – 7407
Palouse, WA

Barks R Us
(509) 248-2457
Yakima, WA

Dogs of the Gorge (D.O.G.)
(541) 978-0079
Wishram, WA

Animal Aid and Rescue Foundation (AARF)
info@myaarf.org
Seahurst, WA

Saving Great Animals
information@savinggreatanimals.org
Seattle, WA

Rescue Every Dog
support@rescueeverydog.org
Kingston, WA

Bullseye Dog Rescue
info@bullseyerescue.org
Seattle, WA

People United for Pets
info@pupdogrescue.org
Issaquah, WA

Pit Bull Rescue Central
Lees Summit, MO

Returning an Adopted Pet

We understand that sometimes, despite best efforts, an adoption may not be the right fit. We’re here to support you and your pet.

• Within 30 Days of Adoption: If you need to return your adopted pet within 30 days, please schedule an appointment with our team to ensure a smooth process.
• After 30 Days: If more than 30 days have passed, please complete our Pet Rehoming Support Form. Once this is completed, a member of our Pet Support Team will contact you for support and resources.

Pets from the City of Tacoma, South Prairie, Carbonado, Fife, University Place, Wilkeson, Orting, and unincorporated Pierce County

We understand that surrendering a pet can be financially challenging. We offer discounts that are income-based and also have other criteria for reduced fees (e.g. providing current veterinary records). See more information about reduced surrender fee options.

Non-discounted surrender fees are as follows:

• Dogs (4 months and older): $400 
• Cats (4 months and older): $400 
• Rabbits & Other Small Animals: $400 per kennel. Bonded animals count as one kennel if they can be safely housed together. Individually housed animals incur separate fees. 
• Litters (puppies, kittens, etc. under 4 months old): $100 for each pet. 

Pets from Lakewood, Fircrest, Dupont, and Steilacoom

Owner surrender fees for residents of the above cities are subsidized by animal control contracts.

• Dogs (two months and older): $75
• Cats & rabbits (two months and older): $75, $50 for each additional from the same household
• Litters of puppies or kittens: $15 for each pet.

Pets from the City of Federal Way

Effective January 1, 2025, Federal Way Animal Control transitioned from partnering with the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County to a new collaboration with Burien C.A.R.E.S. Stray animals and owner surrenders from Federal Way will be directed to Burien C.A.R.E.S. 

Pets from Other Locations

We are able to accept pet surrenders from outside our service areas only as space and resources allow.

• Dogs (4 months and older): $500 
• Cats (4 months and older): $500 
• Rabbits & Other Small Animals: $500 per kennel. Bonded animals count as one kennel if they can be safely housed together. Individually housed animals incur separate fees.
• Litters (puppies, kittens, etc. under 4 months old): $100 for each pet.