Our Mobile Veterinary Unit Is Here!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our brand-new mobile veterinary unit! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, this 26-foot state-of-the-art veterinary hospital on wheels is now ready to serve the animals of Pierce County, and the humans that care for them.

The vehicle is named “S.P.O.T.” which stands for spay/neuter, preventative medicine, outreach, and transport— four examples of the lifesaving work that keeps pets healthy and with the families who love them. Beyond the acronym, S.P.O.T. represents something even more powerful: a commitment to equity, access, and compassionate care.  

S.P.O.T. is equipped with a full surgical suite, exam area, and recovery spaces. It allows us to deliver high-quality, veterinary care directly to communities across Pierce County and break down the barrier of transportation.   

We celebrated S.P.O.T.’s arrival with a ribbon cutting on Monday, April 21 and were thrilled to have our board of directors, donors, municipal partners and staff with us for this important milestone in the shelter’s history.

A Community Effort

This ambitious project would not have been possible without the overwhelming support of our donors and community partners. Contributions, both large and small, made this project possible. From the initial fundraising campaign to the ribbon cutting, this journey represents what we can accomplish when compassionate individuals come together for a common cause.

The Need

S.P.O.T is a direct response to four challenges facing our shelter, our region, and the broader animal welfare landscape:

• Limited access to veterinary care for owned pets in underserved communities, often due to transportation or geographic barriers.
• Rising shelter intake due to lack of preventative care and resources.
• In-shelter veterinary space constraints and staffing shortages, with a nationwide shortage of veterinary professionals expected to continue through 2035.
• Overpopulation of community cats, especially where access to spay/neuter services are limited, and waitlists at veterinary clinics can be lengthy.

State-of-the-Art Care on Wheels

With S.P.O.T. the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County can offer:

• Vaccine and microchip clinics in communities that need them most
• Spay/neuter surgeries, both in the community and at the shelter
• Targeted trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts to help control feline population
• Mobile adoption and outreach events

Making a Difference Together

S.P.O.T represents more than just a vehicle—it’s a symbol of our commitment to meeting animals and their people where they are. By removing barriers to care, we can prevent suffering, strengthen the human-animal bond, and keep more families together.

Our dedicated team is excited to embark on this new chapter in our shelter’s history. If you see S.P.O.T. in your neighborhood, you’ll know we’re changing and saving lives.

Once again, our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality. Your support continues to drive our mission forward—one mile, one animal, one family at a time.

We invite you to follow our journey on social media as we share stories and updates from our mobile clinic’s adventures throughout the community.