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  • Finding Your Match

    Finding Your Match

    Considering adding a new family member?

    Get the whole family involved.

    Choosing a new animal companion is exciting!

    Start your selection process at home by polling family members about what species, size, and personality will best suit your environment and lifestyle. The adoption counselors at the Wisconsin Humane Society will help you to translate all that information into a great match. If you have one or more pets at home, describe them to our adoption counselors and they can help you select which animal will be able to adapt to your household.  

    Ask questions.

    When interacting with your potential new companion animal, ask about his or her behavior.

    An animal’s personality is the most important factor in a successful adoption. The Wisconsin Humane Society evaluates all animals available for adoption to assess their individual personalities. adoption counselors are more than happy to answer any of your questions. 

    Be prepared for your new animal’s arrival with all the necessary supplies.

    You can find everything you need at Animal Antics, the Wisconsin Humane Society’s retail store!

    Animal Antics is continually stocking new items and old favorites and our adoption counselors will help you make the right product selections for your new family member. Plus, adopters get 10% off! After your adoption, you can still purchase the items you want online or stop in the WHS campus nearest you during adoption hours to shop. All proceeds from our Animal Antics store benefit the animals and families served by the Wisconsin Humane Society!

    Adopt!

    Find your new best friend at WHS or the shelter nearest you!

    The Wisconsin Humane Society offers a wealth of resources to adopters, including adoption counseling, behavior support, training classes, low-cost vaccine clinics, and adopter perks from local businesses. In addition, all animals are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and given initial vaccinations. Learn more about the adoption process at WHS, then check out everything that’s included in your adoption fee when you adopt at www.wihumane.org/congrats.

  • I’ve Found a Stray Animal

    I’ve Found a Stray Animal

    Who provides stray animal sheltering services in my area?

    The Wisconsin Humane Society is responsible for housing stray/lost animals in Ozaukee County, Door County, Kenosha County, and most municipalities in Brown and Racine Counties. In Milwaukee County, all stray animals must go to Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC), which is not affiliated with the Wisconsin Humane Society. If you are outside of these areas or are unsure who to call, contact the humane society nearest you or call your local non-emergency police line.

    What should I do if I find an animal?

    Wisconsin law requires that all stray animals be brought to the entity/facility contracting with the municipality in which the animal was found to provide sheltering services (Wis. State Statue 173.13(9)c) in order to give owners the opportunity to claim their lost pet.
    If you found a stray animal in:

    If you are unable to bring in the animal yourself or found the animal after hours, please call your local non-emergency police line. If you are outside of these areas or are unsure who to call, contact the humane society nearest you or call your local non-emergency police line.

    Can I keep the animal in my home for the duration of the stray hold?

    No, it is illegal for anyone other than the contracting shelter to house an animal on stray hold. Finders, rescues, or shelters without the sheltering contracts are not able to hold stray animals; they must go to the facility that holds the contract for stray animals in order to serve a valid, legal stray hold.

    Wisconsin law requires that animals be brought to the contracting shelter to allow families the opportunity to find their lost animals. Bringing animals to a central location increases the likelihood that an animal is reclaimed. Lost animals who are brought to the WHS Ozaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Door County, or Green Bay Campuses are posted on our website here. We do all we can to find the animal’s family and get them back home, including posting flyers to social media and pursuing all ownership leads.

    If I bring the animal to the shelter and they are not claimed, can I adopt them?

    In most cases at WHS, finders are given the option to place an adoption hold on the animal at the time of intake, allowing you to be first in line for adoption if the animal is not claimed. Exceptions may be made due to severe medical or behavior conditions evident upon intake.

    How long are animals held on stray hold?

    Per Wisconsin State Statute 173.21, WHS holds animals for a period of 4 days, plus 1 for the day of intake – 5 days total. After the hold has lapsed, ownership of the animal is transferred to the Wisconsin Humane Society, and the animal can begin their journey to adoption. If the animal cannot be placed, the animal is held for 7 days, plus 1 day for the day of intake – 8 days total.