News and Events
Micaela Levine and Tom St. John, Madeleine and David Lubar to co-chair Wisconsin Humane Society gala
The annual gala benefits the animals at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS), the largest and oldest animal welfare organization in the state (read more).
A ribbon for Sophia
She didn’t have a chance. Sophia was living in a crowded shelter among a sea of cute puppies. She was three years old, and a black Labrador Retriever – not exactly a rare breed to find in a shelter. Even worse, she had a knee injury. Adoption was not likely for her.... (read more and help Sophia!).
Dogs in Wolf Hunt
The Wisconsin Humane Society and other plaintiffs have filed an appeal of the final judgment entered by Dane County Circuit Court on January 16, 2013 regarding the use of dogs to hunt wolves.
Dogs are allowed in the next wolf hunt unless the law is changed in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is the first and only state that allows dogs to be used to hunt wolves, and WHS strongly opposes this practice because it places dogs in dangerous, inhumane confrontations that will lead to injury or death. Additionally, quotas for Wisconsin’s wolf hunt were met in the first half of the allotted season without the need for, or use of, dogs, and the season was terminated earlier than originally planned.
The majority of those who attended the DNR’s Annual Spring Hearings across the state voted in support of prohibiting the use of dogs in the wolf hunt. For full results from the hearings, visit the DNR’s webpage. For more information on what you can do to help protect dogs, click here.
Home Stretch Foster Program
WHS and MADACC are launching a new joint foster program, "Home Stretch," in order to save more of Milwaukee County's stray animals. Learn more about the program and how you can help.
FIS Global Employees Raise $11,518 in Donations for WHS
Rick Derksen and Monica Scott of FIS Global stopped by WHS to drop off a donation after hosting a company-wide Jeans Day and raffle. Through employee fundraising, FIS originally pledged $5,000 to be a sponsor for WHS’s first annual Tails on the Trail dog walk. After collecting the donations from their several FIS locations, Rick and Monica were delighted to find out that they surpassed their original goal and presented WHS with a check in the amount of $11,518! We are happy to announce that FIS Global is now the leading Tails on the Trail sponsor! WHS thanks everyone for their participation and generosity!
Vaccine Clinic at WHS
In an effort to keep Southeastern Wisconsin's animals happy and healthy, WHS offers a vaccine clinic at the Milwaukee Campus. The next one is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Learn more here.
4-4-2013:
The Wisconsin Humane Society has learned that there may be confusion relating to an announcement yesterday that a "humane society director" in Wisconsin has been charged with drug crimes. This story does not involve the Wisconsin Humane Society, its director Anne Reed, or any of its other staff in any way.
The Executive Director of the Sheboygan County Humane Society, Eilene Ribbens, was charged yesterday with crimes relating to pain medications purchased under Sheboygan County Humane Society’s authorization. Like the rest of the public, we do not yet know the underlying facts and do not know whether the allegations are true.
The Sheboygan County Humane Society is an independent animal welfare organization which is not connected or affiliated with the Wisconsin Humane Society.
University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Courses
The ASPCA and Maddie’s Fund, in partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
and the University of California-Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, invites the community to a series of free lectures on topics related to animal shelters, animal health, and community programs to help save lives for homeless animals. Lectures will be held at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. Learn more here.
We are pleased to announce that the Wisconsin Humane Society is one of only 50 shelters in the country chosen to compete in the 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge! Learn more here.
New MADACC Executive Director Announced
The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is pleased to learn that Karen Sparapani has been selected as the new executive director of the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC). WHS has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Karen in her role as executive director of the Elmbrook Humane Society, and we look forward to working with Karen and her staff to improve the lives of animals in the Milwaukee community. WHS values its relationship with MADACC and is grateful for the hard work of MADACC’s staff. Karen is a dedicated, visionary leader whose commitment to the betterment of animals has impressed us deeply. We congratulate Karen and offer her our full support as she transitions to this new role. Read MADACC's full press release here.
Racine Campus Opens
The Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus will open for animal adoptions on Monday, January 7 at noon, just one week after acquiring the former Countryside Humane Society in Racine.
“After seven days of intense work and preparation, we are so excited to open to the public,” said Alison Fotsch Kleibor, Director of the Racine Campus. “The Wisconsin Humane Society is bringing 135 years of experience to the Racine community, along with resources that make it possible for us to make the commitment to find every animal in our adoption program a home, no matter how long it takes.” (read more...)
For location, hours and to view available animals at Racine, click here.
WHS Acquires Racine's Countryside Humane Society
The Wisconsin Humane Society has acquired the assets of Racine’s Countryside Humane Society (CHS). This includes assuming the responsibilities for animal care, animal control and adoption services for 4,000 animals in Racine County every year... (read more).
To make a donation to the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus, click here. Your support is what makes this possible; thank you!
Wisconsin Humane Society receives $50,000 after finding homes for 500 animals
Wisconsin Humane Society officials announced today that local philanthropist Stan Kass has donated $50,000 to the organization because their Milwaukee and Ozaukee shelters found homes for 500 animals in the month of September... (read more)
Wisconsin Humane Society 2013 Award Recipients Announced
Caroline Krider and Jodi Habush Sinykin to receive animal welfare awards
The Wisconsin Humane Society has announced that it will be recognizing Caroline Krider and Jodi Habush Sinykin for their contributions to animal welfare during its annual 2012 Paws & Claws Gala on Saturday, September 22 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee... (read more)
Shelter animals to receive $50,000
if 500 animals are adopted in September
Wisconsin Humane Society officials announced today that local philanthropist Stan Kass will donate $50,000 to the organization if their Milwaukee and Ozaukee shelters can find homes for 500 animals in the month of September... (read more)
LEED Gold Certification Awarded to Ozaukee Campus!
August 28, 2012: Officials from the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Ozaukee Campus announced today that the shelter has been awarded LEED® Gold certification, as established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Read more.
Safe Haven Program
WHS and Sojourner Family Peace Center have partnered to offer shelter for animals of domestic violence victims. Learn more about this lifesaving program, and please share this flyer with friends, family and local businesses!
Need to rehome your pet?
Our new Virtual Re-homing program features a webpage for the public to list their animals in need of new homes, which allows WHS to help more animals who don’t already have an advocate. Learn more.
Memorial Pages a Tribute to Beloved Animals
Have you recently lost a beloved four-legged friend? Want to honor someone whose companion animal has recently passed away? WHS memorial pages offer you a chance to post photos, write a special message to say farewell, and help save the lives of homeless animals with a $50 contribution. Learn more.
Wondering about the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Humane Society for Shelter Pets?
We have received recent inquiries regarding our relationship to these two national advocacy groups. The Wisconsin Humane Society is an independent nonprofit organization that operates two local shelters - one in Milwaukee and one in Saukville. WHS is not affiliated in any way with the Humane Society of the United States or the Humane Society for Shelter Pets. We receive no annual funding from either organization, nor are we a “member” of either organization.
We earned 4 stars (two years in a row!) from Charity Navigator, the nation's leading charity watchdog group, and donations to the Wisconsin Humane Society go directly to help homeless, abused and injured animals in our care, in addition to educational programming and our wildlife rehabilitation hospital. We are so thankful to members of the community for their continued support of WHS!
Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee formerly participated in United Way’s Donor Choice program. As of Fall 2006, Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee started running their own workplace giving campaigns and no longer participate in United Way’s Donor Choice program. Therefore, it is not possible to donate to the Wisconsin Humane Society through Donor Choice. However, Community Shares does participate in the Federal, State and University, City, County, Milwaukee Public Schools, or MATC, employees’ work place giving campaigns that are administered by United Way. As a result, funds donated by these workers through the Combined Federal, State, and local campaigns can be designated to Wisconsin Humane Society through Community Shares. Employees of these agencies can find a list of Community Shares Agencies in the Campaign brochures provided by their employer.