Stray dog surge at Pierce County shelter prompts staff to ask public for help
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Metro Animal Services reports shelter at capacity after January influx.
- Shelter posts photos and asks public to share sightings and ownership info.
- Adoption fees start at $150; $275 standard; includes microchip, spay/neuter, license.
An East Pierce County animal shelter is asking the public for help with an overflow of stray dogs.
Metro Animal Services – which serves as the main animal shelter for Puyallup, Sumner, Bonney Lake, Pacific, Edgewood, Algona and Milton – posted about the overflow on Facebook Monday afternoon. In the post, they said they are at capacity.
The shelter is located at 1200 39th Ave. SE in Puyallup.
“During the first two weeks of January, our shelter has seen a huge influx of stray dogs that has put us at capacity,” the post said. “We need your help to reunify these stray dogs with their owners.”
The post contained photos of four dogs that were found between Jan. 13 and Jan. 14:
- One was found in the 7800 block of 130th Street Court East in Puyallup
- One was found in the 300 block of Seventh Street Southeast in Puyallup
- One was found at the intersection of Milton Way and Eighth Street East in Edgewood
- One was found at the 400 block of Fourth Avenue Southeast in Pacific
The post contains photos of the four dogs. The best way for residents to help the shelter, the post said, is to spread the word if one of the dogs was found in your neighborhood.
“See a pup on here that was found in your neighborhood? Please share their information on your community social media pages!” the post said. “See a pup on here that you own? Contact us right away and come to the shelter with proof of ownership (vet records, pet license, personal photos, etc.) See a pup on here that you recognize? Send us information on who they might belong to so we can try to find their owner.”
Residents can also help the shelter’s capacity issue by adopting dogs. According to the shelter’s website, it costs $275 for a standard dog adoption and $150 to adopt a senior dog who is 8 years old or older. The adoption fee includes a microchip, spaying or neutering and a metro license if applicable.
If you adopt multiple dogs, it costs $150 per each additional dog.
The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.
To learn more, call the shelter at 253-299-7387 or visit metroanimalservices.org. Pets available for adoption can be found at metroanimalservices.org/search-pets/.
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 2:02 PM.
