humane society for tacoma & pierce county

What humane society for tacoma & pierce county does

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1888 and headquartered at 2608 Center Street, Tacoma, Washington. It operates as Pierce County's primary animal shelter and pet resource center, and is described as Washington's largest intake animal shelter. Under CEO Leslie Dalzell (appointed March 2023), the organization delivers a comprehensive suite of animal welfare services spanning pet adoption (dogs, cats, critters, working cats), lost-and-found reunification, mobile veterinary care via the S.P.O.T. program, spay/neuter and TNR services, vaccine and wellness clinics, animal control coordination with Tacoma Animal Control, a community pet food pantry, pet licensing, foster placement, behavior education, and end-of-life services. The organization carries a Charity Navigator 4-star rating and Guidestar transparency seal, and coordinates with national partners including ASPCA, PetSmart Charities, Petco Love, BISSELL Pet Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, Pedigree Foundation, and Grey Muzzle.

The revenue model is donation- and grant-led rather than transactional. Income streams include recurring monthly donations (Loyal Friends Club), one-time and legacy giving, memorials and tributes, workplace/matching gifts, and grants from national animal welfare foundations and corporate sponsors such as Larson Automotive Group (Cornerstone Sponsor) and Tacoma Subaru. Adoption fees exist but are frequently waived or reduced during sponsored events (e.g., Hill's Pet Nutrition National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, BISSELL Empty the Shelters, Best Friends Name Your Price weekends, PetSmart Charities National Adoption Week, and $14 Valentine's Day promotions). Pet licensing fees apply annually where required, and event-based fundraising (Dog Days of Summer, Raise Your Paw auctions, photo contests, E9 Brewing beer label contest) provides supplementary income. The shelter relies on a community-led go-to-market motion — physical adoption center, off-site events at partner retail locations, foster and volunteer networks, and an active press release and newsletter program — rather than digital customer acquisition channels.

There is no proprietary technology stack identified; operations are described as standard shelter management practices, with website and ShelterLuv-powered adoptable pet listings as the primary digital surface. The organization completed a full adoption lobby redesign in February 2026 following June 2025 flood damage, partnering with Animal Arts architecture firm and Saybr Contractors to convert the prior counter-based layout into an open-concept adoption space. Recent operational highlights include a 60+ cat intake from an Owen Beach boat rescue in August 2026, a silver-standard facility rating from the ASPCA Spay & Neuter Alliance in July 2026, and a reported near-20% rise in animal intake over the prior three years.

Name

humane society for tacoma & pierce county

Legal name

Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County

Website

https://thehumanesociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal shelter founded in 1888 that serves as Pierce County's primary pet resource center, providing adoption, veterinary, foster, licensing, and animal control services to the Tacoma metro community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (541940), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Mobile & House-Call Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAF), Spay/Neuter & High-Volume Sterilization Clinics (HLAMAAAC)

Keywords

• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption services
• Veterinary care
• Animal welfare
• Pet resource center

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization is a private, non-profit that relies on donations to fund its vital programs. Sources include monthly donor programs (Loyal Friends Club), one-time donations, legacy giving, memorials and tributes, and workplace giving.
2. Adoption Fees: Revenue generated from pet adoptions. Fees vary and are sometimes waived during special events.
3. Grants and Sponsorships: Funding from organizations like ASPCA, PetSmart Charities, Petco Love, BISSELL Pet Foundation, Pedigree Foundation, and corporate sponsors like Larson Automotive Group.
4. Event Fundraising: Revenue from events including Dog Days of Summer, virtual events, online auctions (Raise Your Paw), photo contests, and beer label contests.
5. Pet Licensing: Fees collected for pet licensing as part of community animal control services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County operates Pierce County's primary animal shelter, facilitating pet adoptions of dogs, cats, and small animals. The organization also delivers veterinary services including spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping through both in-clinic and a mobile unit (S.P.O.T.), operates lost and found pet reunification services, coordinates animal control partnerships, and runs community-focused programs such as foster care, behavior education, a pet food pantry, and pet licensing.

Product overview

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County operates as Pierce County's primary animal shelter and pet resource center. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of animal welfare services including pet adoption, lost and found pet reunification, mobile veterinary care (S.P.O.T.), vaccine and wellness clinics, animal control coordination, community cat TNR programs, pet behavior education, a community pet food pantry, pet licensing, foster care, and end-of-life services. These services work together to support animals and the community across the full lifecycle of pet ownership and animal welfare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• S.P.O.T. Mobile Veterinary Care: Mobile veterinary care service bringing TNR efforts and spay/neuter services into the community.

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Facilitates adoptions of dogs, cats, and small animals from the shelter, with adoption fees and processes managed through the organization's website. Designed for prospective pet adopters in the Tacoma and Pierce County community.
• Lost & Found Pets Services Helps reunite lost pets with owners and provides resources for found pets through the Friendly Finders program and animal control partnerships. Intended for community members with lost or found pets.
• S.P.O.T. Mobile Veterinary Care Mobile veterinary unit providing spay/neuter services and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for community cats, bringing veterinary care into the community. Targeted at pet owners and community cat caregivers.
• Vaccine and Wellness Clinic Provides vaccinations and wellness services for pets in the community. Aimed at pet owners seeking affordable preventive veterinary care.
• Animal Control Services Coordinates with Tacoma Animal Control for animal rescue, removal from dangerous conditions, and community safety. Available to local government partners and community residents reporting animal concerns.
• Community Cats Program Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) services for community cats to manage populations humanely. Intended for community cat caregivers and colony managers.
• Pet Food & Supply Pantry Community resource providing pet food and supplies to pet owners in need. Targeted at community members needing assistance keeping their pets.
• Pet Licensing Manages pet licensing for Tacoma and Pierce County residents. Required for compliance with local pet licensing regulations.
• Foster Care Program Temporary home placements for animals in need, expanding shelter capacity through volunteer foster families. Designed for community members who volunteer to foster shelter animals.
• End of Life Services Compassionate end-of-life care and euthanasia services for pets. Available to pet owners facing end-of-life decisions for their animals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 adoptions in a single day during National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day event
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 August 2026Partnership for The Rescue Effect nationwide campaign helping animal welfare organizations engage communities and find homes for shelter pets. ASPCA provides grant funding allowing adoption fees to be waived for dogs, cats, and rabbits 6 months and older during adoption events.
• Hill's Pet NutritioncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Generous sponsorship for National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day allowing adoption fees to be waived and removing barriers so pets could get home faster.
• Pipa BrokerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 April 2026Partner at adoption event sharing information about post-adoption pet insurance and helping families feel confident about long-term pet care.
• PetSmart CharitiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOngoing partnership for National Adoption Week events at PetSmart locations. PetSmart Charities provides grants supporting adoption events and shelter operations.
• BISSELL Pet FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for 'Empty the Shelters' nationwide adoption campaign. Foundation sponsors reduced or waived adoption fees during events.
• Best Friends Animal SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Name Your Price' adoption weekends and National Adoption Weekend events. Best Friends provides support and resources for adoption promotion.
• Tacoma SubarucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual partnership for Fall in Love adoption events as part of ASPCA Subaru Loves Pets initiative. Tacoma Subaru reduces adoption fees and sponsors events.
• E9 Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration for 'Make Hoppy Happen' beer label contest celebrating pets and supporting animals in need through craft beer sales.
• Animal ArtsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNation's leading architecture firm specializing in animal-centric design. Partnered on lobby remodel project to create modern adoption space.
• Saybr Contractors, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTacoma-based, woman-owned general contractor that led the lobby remodel construction project while minimizing disruption for animals and staff.
• Shelter Behavior IntegrationsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFounded by nationally recognized shelter behavior expert Laurie Lawless, CDBC. Provides dog handling training and playgroup program development.
• ASPCA Spay & Neuter AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASPCA team visited to provide surgical training focused on optimizing surgery flow, assessed facilities and awarded silver-standard rating with renovation recommendations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Seattle Humane: Regional non-profit animal shelter in Washington State offering adoptions, veterinary care, and pet-support services to the Puget Sound community. Directly comparable in mission, service mix, and donor base to the Tacoma organization.
• PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society): Washington-based non-profit operating shelter, adoption, veterinary, and wildlife rehabilitation services. Direct comparable on mission and integrated clinical/community service model.

Regional players

• Kitsap Humane Society: Non-profit animal shelter serving Kitsap County, Washington, with adoption, spay/neuter, and behavior services. Comparable regional shelter model in the same Washington State market.
• Oregon Humane Society: Large Pacific Northwest non-profit shelter with adoption, hospital, and community programs. Similar scale and full-lifecycle service approach, with a slightly different primary geography.

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill advocacy and shelter-support organization that co-runs adoption events with the subject company. Comparable on adoption programming and partnership model, but operates at national scale.
• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization providing grant funding and Spay/Neuter Alliance support to the subject company. Overlaps on shelter and veterinary charity services but at a national, advocacy-driven scale.
• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Largest U.S. animal welfare advocacy organization with national shelter-rescue and policy programs. Compares as a broad incumbent in the animal welfare nonprofit space, though it is advocacy- rather than direct-shelter-led.
• PetSmart Charities: National animal welfare grantmaker that funds adoption events at the subject company's PetSmart partner locations. Comparable through its shelter-support funding model, though it is not a direct shelter operator.
• Petco Love: National non-profit investor in animal welfare providing grants for vaccination events, lost-pet platforms, and shelter operations to the subject company. Comparable through shelter-funding and adoption-support activities, at national scale.

Emerging players

• BISSELL Pet Foundation: National pet welfare grantmaker sponsoring the Empty the Shelters campaign that the subject company participates in. Comparable through adoption-event underwriting, though it operates as a funder rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TheHumaneSociety
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCn6-TO2U5K1T1WzZ5pJ3qBg
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheHumaneSocietyforTacoma
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humane-society-for-tacoma
• Instagraminstagram.com/thehumanesocietytacoma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about humane society for tacoma & pierce county