The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County is a happy place.

"The Humane Society is a happy place for families to find lost pets, adopt a new furry child or find resources for the pets they already own and love," wrote Kathleen Olson, the society's executive director.

The Humane Society is a local, independent 501(c)3 nonprofit, which relies on donations to fund its vital programs.

Bella, a black terrier with the energy of five healthy dogs, gave meaning to those words.

"This is a happy place," reiterated Shelby Taylor, marketing and events coordinator, as Bella bounded and jumped up into her lap. "We are not the ‘dog pound' or ‘animal control.'  We have been a no-kill shelter since 2015."

The organization began in 1888 when Tacoma was a frontier town. A drunk logger brought a bear cub to the corner of 8th and Pacific Avenue, where he began to kick the cub. Efforts to stop the logger failed, and the justice of the peace was summoned; the logger went to jail.

Later that week, a group of civic leaders formed the Tacoma Humane Society, the fourth of its kind in the nation at the time. In the early 1950s, the society moved to its present location at 2608 Center St. in Tacoma.

Currently, the Humane Society shelters more than 12,000 animals annually, maintains more than a dozen humane programs, and is at the forefront of progressive animal welfare.

"We are a community resource," continued Taylor. "We are much more than an adoption or relinquishment center; we build relationships with the community and its pets."

The society helps find homes for pets, reunites lost pets with their families, cares for pets, eliminates pet overpopulation through low-cost spay and neuter services and improves the lives of pets.

An example of this community involvement takes the form of the society's Pet Food Pantry and Senior Pet Pantry.

"We can help people who need some help with feeding their pets," continued Taylor. "A little bit of help like this can keep pets happy in their homes."

Last year, 5,593 families received help feeding their pets.

To continue the society's community commitment to pets, donations are vital.

"We use one hundred percent of what we receive in donations to support our mission," emphasized Taylor.

The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County's Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) donation number is 84645.

For more information, visit www.thehumanesociety.org or call 253.383.2733.