TACOMA, Wash. — The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County is asking for help after taking in more than 30 cats from an unsafe property. This is happening during a time when the shelter is already overcrowded.
"We never know what's going to come to our doors on any given day,” said Lauren Green with the shelter. “So, the community's continued support really makes a world of difference."
It makes a difference for animals in desperate need of a new home, like the 33 cats and kittens that were taken in from a Pierce County property on July 25. This marked the most cats that the shelter has taken in on one day.
"Our veterinary team immediately sprang into action,” said Green. “Treating them accordingly. There were upper respiratory infections among the cats, administering antibiotics and placing them to foster homes."
That number of animals coming in all at once puts a significant strain on the humane society for Tacoma and Pierce County, which are now relying on its medical care, supplies and space.
“As an open admission shelter as soon as one animal is adopted or placed into a foster home, their kennel is quickly filled with another animal from our community in desperate need of our services," Green said.
She anticipates more animals coming in from that Pierce County property, which is now under investigation. This will add to an already overcrowded shelter.
"We have about 90 animals that are ready to go right now available for adoption," said Green. “Then we have upwards to 400 that we're caring for in total."
Despite that total, she and her staff promise their doors will always be open for animals in need. They hope the community will consider opening their homes too.
"We always are looking for our community's support whether it be through donations, fostering, adopting, to help us so we can help animals in need like this," said Green.
According to Green, the shelter's highest number of animals taken in from a property in recent years was 246 bunnies in February 2023.