Appointment-Based Intake

FAQs

Why do I need an appointment to bring in a found pet?

An appointment-based intake system offers a structured approach to animal shelter admissions that allows us to effectively handle the continuous influx of animals. Our appointment-based system relies on our community’s willingness to participate and support pets in need.

An appointment-based intake system benefits the community and the animals in several ways: 

• Reduces stress: Both people and lost animals experience less stress with scheduled appointments, as it minimizes wait times and overcrowding.
• Enhances resource management: We can better prepare for each animal’s arrival, ensuring we have the necessary space, staff, and supplies.
• Increases capacity: By managing intake, we can serve more pets and people effectively, prioritizing urgent cases while providing alternative solutions for healthy animals.
• Improves response to emergencies: We can promptly address critical situations and emergencies, ensuring that animals in urgent need receive immediate care.
• Controls disease spread: An appointment-based system reduces a large number of intakes from happening in a single day, lowering the shelter population, which helps us maintain a healthier environment by decreasing the risk of disease transmission within the shelter.

Research indicates that most lost pets are found close to home. Bringing them to the shelter can sometimes hinder their chances of reuniting with their families. Community involvement is encouraged, allowing finders to care for found pets until their owners can be located. By holding onto a lost pet and using return-to-home techniques, you significantly increase the likelihood of a happy reunion.  

An appointment-based system supports community engagement, promotes faster reunification of lost pets with their owners, and ensures better management of shelter resources. 

How do I make an appointment?

You can schedule a Found Pet Appointment on our website. Select the appointment type that best fits your situation and click “book.” Choose an available appointment and provide the requested information. 

What if I don't have access to the necessary technology or have difficulties making an appointment?

If you have difficulties or lack access to technology, please call our team at (253) 383-2733, and we will assist you with scheduling an appointment over the phone.  

What if there are no appointments available?

Our appointment-based system is designed to manage the flow of animals efficiently, ensuring we have the resources to support each animal in our care. If you cannot keep the found pet until the next available appointment, you may bring the pet to our shelter. However, please be aware that there may be longer wait times without an appointment. 

What if the pet I found is injured or in distress?

We prioritize stray animals with urgent medical or behavioral conditions that require immediate intervention. Please bring the pet to our shelter as soon as possible if they are injured or in distress. 

What do I do if I find a lost pet outside of the shelter’s operating hours?

If you find a lost pet outside of our operating hours, please schedule an appointment online. Visit our Lost & Found Pets page for more tips and additional information. 

Can I make an appointment to surrender my own pet?

We work with pet owners to solve common behavior concerns by offering resources, counseling, and support. Our goal is to help keep pets with their people whenever possible. Due to limited space and resources, we cannot accept walk-in surrenders. Appointments are scheduled based on the shelter’s availability. 

For pet rehoming resources, refer to our Rehoming Your Pet page.  

Are you no longer an open-admission shelter?

We are still an open-admission shelter. We continue to take in pets regardless of age, breed, medical condition, or behavioral concern. Our appointment-based system allows us to better prepare and manage the flow of animals admitted to our shelter to ensure we have the resources to support each animal in our care. 

What is your capacity for care?

Our capacity for care is ever-changing and is calculated based on multiple factors including physical capacity, staff capacity for daily care and animal flow. We strive to provide the best possible care for all animals and to maximize our capacity through managed intake and community support. 

Does an appointment-based approach mean you will help fewer pets?

No, quite the opposite! Implementing an appointment-based system means we can help more pets beyond our walls. By triaging animals that need immediate or urgent help, we ensure they are prioritized for intake, while healthy animals are first provided with other options. This approach allows us to serve more pets effectively. 

Can I check if a pet I found has already been reported lost before making an appointment?

• Petco Love Lost 
• Tacoma Lost and Found Pets Facebook Group  

• Lost and Found Pets of Pierce County Facebook Group 

• Nextdoor 

• Ring  

• PawBoost 

• Craigslist 

How can I help a lost pet if the shelter is at capacity?

If the shelter is at capacity, we provide resources to help you care for the lost pet until their owner can be located or until we have space available. Visit our Lost & Found Pets page for the best next steps.