TACOMA, Wash. — This week the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County is making it easier for people to get new furry family members.
The Tacoma animal shelter has taken in hundreds of animals this month. Now, the shelter is calling on the community to name its price to take the animals up for adoption at the shelter to their new forever home.
"You can truly name your price,” said Lauren Green, the marketing coordinator of the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. “Our biggest goal right now is to get animals into loving homes and reducing those barriers that can often deter folks from adopting. So come on in because now is the time."
This time of year is notorious for being busy because it is one of the state's only open-admission shelters. Meaning they will take any pet. At any time.
During the first two weeks of the month, the shelter has taken in 495 animals, a 12% increase from this same period last year.
"Year round the cost of living is continuing to rise and it makes it really tough for pet owners and families who have to make a choice between caring for themselves and providing for their pet," Green said.
Green said another factor for the increase was due to the Fourth of July holiday. When some animals run away from their homes because of fireworks.
"Make sure that contact information is up to date on ID tags and microchips so we can support owner reunification," Green said.
Right now there are more than 50 dogs, 30 cats, and five rabbits available for adoption.
"We're grateful as an organization to be able to serve as our community's pet resource center,” Green said. “We're more than a shelter. We're here to help keep pets with the people who love them, and we look forward to connecting you with your new little family member."
The "Name Your Price" promotion runs from Wednesday until Sunday. The animal shelter is open from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.