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Summer Adoption Specials: find your new best friend at WHS!

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  • Pet Loss Support

    Pet Loss Support

    We offer quarterly group Pet Loss and Grief Seminars at the WHS Milwaukee Campus, open to all who are grieving the loss of a companion animal. Led by WHS volunteer and licensed psychologist Dr. Douglas Higbie, this free 1.5-hour seminar will cover the following topics, as well as offer the opportunity to share about your beloved pet:

    • Review the stages of loss
    • Defining quality of life
    • Factors to consider about humane euthanasia
    • Ways to survive and cope with your loss
    • Options to consider for memorializing your pet
    • Decision-making around welcoming home a new pet
    • Helping children cope
    • Opportunity to ask questions

    Attendance is limited, so we ask that you kindly RSVP.

    View our events gallery for upcoming dates and to reserve your spot.

  • Cremation Services

    Cremation Services

    WHS offers dignified cremation services to the public at all of our sheltering locations. This can occur after utilizing our humane euthanasia services or as a standalone resource after your pet has already passed away.

    Service Options

    Communal Cremation | Your pet will be cremated alongside other animals, and their remains will not be returned to you.

    Private Cremation | Your pet will be cremated separately, and their ashes will be returned to you in a secure container.

    Scheduling Your Services

    If you do not require euthanasia services, walk-in visits are welcome for cremation services. If possible, please use the relevant location information below to call ahead so we can prepare for your arrival and offer our assistance.

  • Spay/Neuter Clinic

    Spay/Neuter Clinic

    Open to the public, the WHS Spay/Neuter Clinic in West Allis offers affordable, high-quality surgery for those looking to have their dog or cat altered. Our goal is to reduce pet overpopulation and keep pets in the homes where they’re loved by reducing financial barriers to accessing spay/neuter surgery in Southeastern Wisconsin.

    Animal Criteria

    All animals scheduled for surgery must be:

    • Healthy
    • Between 2 and 100 lbs
    • Between 2 months and 7 years old

    Appointment Availability & Procedure

    Surgery is offered Monday-Friday by appointment only. All animals are dropped off in the morning for a group check-in process (8 a.m. for cats, 8:30 a.m. for dogs) and picked up the same afternoon during a group check-out (3:45 p.m. for dogs, 4:45 p.m. for cats)

    To book an appointment, use the blue Book Now button below. Our calendar offers scheduling up to 3 months in advance. As one of the few low-cost spay/neuter clinics in Wisconsin, appointment times fill very quickly. New appointments are opened daily; if you do not see an available appointment date for your pet, please continue to check back often!

    If you are in need of financial assistance, click here to learn more about our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP).

    The following services are available with your spay/neuter appointment:

    • Rabies vaccine – $16 (required for surgery; can also bring proof of prior vaccination)
    • Canine distemper/parvo (DHPP) vaccine – $16
    • Bordetella – $25
    • FVRCP (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia – aka feline distemper): $16
    • Microchipping – $25
    • Plastic e-collar – $5
    • Umbilical hernia repair – $15
    • Cryptorchid (undescended testicle) – add $20 

    We also host low-cost vaccine clinics for dogs and cats at all of our sheltering locations.

    About Dr. Hakim

    Dr. Hakim earned her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois in 2025. While in school, she sought out many opportunities to be involved in shelter and community medicine, such as being the vice-president of the Shelter Medicine Club, helping at vaccine clinics with a local rescue, and completing several Shelter Medicine clinical rotations. Prior to veterinary school, she earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Theology at Hope College in 2021. Working at the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter Clinic and Milwaukee Campus combines her passion for surgery with her desire to serve animals and people in need. In her free time, Dr. Hakim can be found reading, playing volleyball, playing the viola, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs.

    About Dr. Jaszewski

    Dr. Jaszewski received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2024. She spent a year in general practice to develop some clinical fundamentals before returning to WHS to pursue her passion for spay/neuter and shelter medicine. Prior to vet school, she volunteered as a small animal socializer and veterinary services intern, and worked as a volunteer coordinator at our Racine and Ozaukee campuses, respectively. She is currently working at the WHS Milwaukee Campus and the Spay/Neuter Clinic in West Allis. Dr. Jaszewski enjoys spending her free time learning ancient and medieval history and taking her cat Luna out for leashed nature hikes!

    About Dr. Kirkland

    Dr. Kristin Kirkland grew up in New York before moving to Montana. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2024. Prior to joining the Wisconsin Humane Society, Dr. Kirkland practiced as a mixed-animal veterinarian, caring for a wide variety of patients, including small animals, horses, and small ruminants. Outside of work, Dr. Kirkland enjoys spending time with her animals, including her two German Shepherds and four cats. She also enjoys reading, writing, drawing, and photography. Dr. Kirkland chose to transition to shelter medicine because she believes strongly in expanding access to veterinary care for underserved and lower-income communities. She also values the important role shelter medicine plays in supporting communities, promoting responsible pet ownership, and reducing stray animal populations. She is passionate about helping animals receive the medical care they need to heal, thrive, and ultimately find a new family.

    About Dr. Lederer

    After graduating with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2007, Dr. Rebecca Lederer worked at the Cat Hospital of Chicago, the Tree House Humane Society, and Paws Chicago. During veterinary school, she helped with a program that fostered the pets of women who were victims of domestic violence. Dr. Lederer completed a week-long training at Humane Alliance in Asheville, NC in 2009 and enjoys high-volume surgery settings. In her free time, she enjoys playing softball and spending time with her cat, Pandora.  

    About Dr. Leistikow

    Dr. Devan Leistikow received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2020. Prior to this, she received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. While in veterinary school, she gained valuable experience performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter with the Madison Cat Project (Trap-Neuter-Release). After graduation, she worked in a feline-only practice at the Cat Care Clinic in Madison. Dr. Leistikow’s passion to help her community is what drew her to the Wisconsin Humane Society. In her current role, you’ll find her helping animals at both the Spay/Neuter Clinic in West Allis and the WHS Milwaukee Campus. Dr. Leistikow enjoys spending her free time gardening, watching “Let’s Plays”, and taking her greyhounds out on the town. 

    About Dr. Lubin 

    Dr. Lubin received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. Following graduation, Dr. Lubin completed a small animal internship in Illinois at VCA Aurora & VCA Berwyn Animal Hospitals. After her internship, Dr. Lubin worked in private practice before joining the local animal shelter. Dr. Lubin received additional training in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter at Humane Alliance in Asheville, NC in 2016. She has worked in shelters and spay/neuter clinics ever since, and she wouldn’t have it any other way! Her passion for shelter medicine has motivated her to seek further education in the form of a master’s degree in shelter medicine through the University of Florida. Dr. Lubin practices both at the WHS Spay/Neuter Clinic and at the Milwaukee Campus. She enjoys spending her free time walking her dogs, tending to her cats’ every need, and finding any reason to enjoy the outdoors. 

    Looking to spay/neuter an outdoor feral or community cat? Our West Allis clinic offers Trap Neuter Return (TNR) services by appointment only. For program guidelines and scheduling availability, participants must call 414-323-6163. Sorry, but online requests and walk-ins cannot be accepted as appointments are limited.

    Monday – Friday: By appointment only; no walk-ins will be accepted. CLOSED on holidays and weekends. 
    Please refer to your appointment confirmation email for detailed check-in and check-out instructions. 

    • Cat drop-off: 8:00 a.m. | Cat pick-up, same day: 4:45 p.m.*
    • Dog drop-off: 8:30 a.m. | Dog pick-up, same day: 3:45 p.m.*

    *Please note: the clinic is not staffed overnight. If you do not pick up your animal before we close, a $39 boarding fee will be charged and your animal may have to spend the night.

    Need your pet’s medical records from a previous appointment at the WHS Spay/Neuter Clinic? Click here to request your pet’s records! Please consider selecting the email option to help us save on SMS texting charges. Thank you!

    The Spay/Neuter Clinic is operated by the Wisconsin Humane Society, an independent non-profit. If you would like to support our mission, there are many meaningful ways to make a difference:

    • Donate: You can click here to make a monetary contribution; every dollar makes a difference.
    • Wish List: Every item donated from our Amazon Wish List means more funding we can put toward the animals in our care.
    • Spread the Word: One of the most valuable ways to make a difference doesn’t cost a penny – tell your friends about the clinic! Word-of-mouth referrals are crucial to our success.

    Special thanks to our supporter:

  • Spay Neuter Assistance Program

    Spay Neuter Assistance Program

    Our income-qualifying Spay Neuter Assistance Program is designed to reduce pet overpopulation by providing low-cost spay/neuter services to the communities we serve.

    Income-qualifying Criteria:

    To be eligible for the Spay Neuter Assistance Program, you must demonstrate financial need by meeting one of the following criteria below: You may be asked to furnish proof on the day of your appointment. 

    • Forward card or proof of state Medicaid
    • Quest card or proof of state food assistance
    • Wisconsin Works
    • Letter confirming current unemployment compensation
    • Social Security letter or statement
    • Proof of income demonstrating yearly household income at or below 150% of the poverty line.

    To qualify for SNAP, your animal must meet the following criteria:

    • Must be between the ages of 3 months and 7 years old.
    • Must weigh between 2 pounds and 100 pounds to be eligible for surgery. 
    • For appointments at the Green Bay, Kenosha, and Racine Campuses: your animal must be up to date on both rabies and distemper (FVRCP for cats and DHPP for dogs) vaccinations at the time of your appointment. You will be asked to furnish proof on the day of your appointment. It is highly recommended that dogs also be up to date on Bordetella as well, although it is not required. Check here for information about our next low-cost vaccine clinic. 

    Your animal will not be eligible for surgery through the SNAP program if any of the following apply: 

    • Known or suspected adverse reaction to anesthesia
    • History of having a C-section
    • Diagnosis of diabetes,  FeLV+, currently heartworm+, heart murmur or heart condition, or other serious illness. 

    Because safety is our priority, these conditions would make your animal ineligible for surgery at WHS. We recommend you follow up with a private veterinarian. There are other medical concerns that may make your animal ineligible for surgery, and this determination can be made any time up to and including the date of surgery. If WHS determines that your animal is ineligible for our services, a full refund will be provided for services paid. 

    Rescheduling Policy 

    Out of courtesy to those interested in the SNAP program, we can only permit one canceled or rescheduled appointment. If a second appointment is canceled, it may be at least 6 months before we can schedule another time for your animal to be seen.

    Book an Appointment

    If you have read the above and meet the qualifications, please use the button below to make an appointment online. Please note: appointments book very quickly due to our limited capacity.

  • Trap Neuter Return (TNR)

    Trap Neuter Return (TNR)

    The TNR program serves community/outdoor feral cats for a nominal fee. Any Wisconsin resident who wants to have a feral cat spayed or neutered, and who agrees to our guidelines, is welcome to participate. 

    Check out our TNR FAQs for more detailed information!

    Important Notes:

    • Every cat who receives surgery through this program will be painlessly ear-tipped under anesthesia during their surgery. This is to indicate to concerned parties who spot them outside that this cat has already been spayed or neutered, is not a lost stray, and does not need to be trapped or caught.
    • This program is solely for unsocialized, feral cats who cannot live indoors. If a social, easily-handled cat is brought in for TNR services, WHS reserves the right to intake them as a stray (if found within the county) and hold them for the mandatory stray holding period to attempt to reunite them with an owner. If an owner is not found, the animal can begin their journey toward our adoption program. If a social cat is held, we do not charge for TNR services. 
    • Please note that due to the currently elevated risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) transmission from birds to cats, we are unable to accommodate surgeries if a cat is from a dairy/poultry farm, has been exposed to a backyard flock, has been exposed to sick/deceased cats, or is showing any neurological symptoms of illness (circling, stumbling, seizures). Thank you for your understanding.
    • For the safety of staff and the comfort of the animals, all cats must arrive in a trap.
    • Walk-ins are not available. Surgery is by appointment only.
    • Drop-off occurs in the morning, and you’ll pick up same-day in the late afternoon.
  • Pets for Life

    Pets for Life

    The Wisconsin Humane Society’s Pets for Life program reaches animals and families in underserved Milwaukee neighborhoods with little to no access to pet care resources. We maintain a consistent community presence and build relationships through door-to-door outreach, provide free pet care services, and remove barriers like transportation and cost so families can provide important care to the animals they love.

    Our Pets for Life program serves people and animals in Milwaukee’s 53206 and 53205 zip codes and Amani, Franklin Heights, Halyard Park, Harambee, Metcalfe Park, Midtown, and Walnut Hill neighborhoods, where not a single veterinary clinic currently exists. Through door-to-door outreach, our team provides free spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, and other resources while building trust and relationships with community members.

    Support the Program

    You can make a contribution to support our Pets for Life program using our secure donation form. Your gift of any size directly helps us keep pets in the homes where they’re loved and leaves more room in our shelters for animals who don’t already have an advocate. Thank you for your support! 

    donate here
    We are tremendously grateful to the following donors for their support:

    Humane World for Animals
    Laura J. Niles Foundation
    Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust
    Ralph Evinrude Foundation
    Anon Charitable Trust
    Old National Bank
    James E. Dutton Foundation
    Athletes 4 Animals

  • Lorraine’s Garden

    Lorraine’s Garden

    Lorraine’s Garden, located at the Wisconsin Humane Society Milwaukee Campus, is a final resting place that honors the affection and joy that our precious companions play in our lives. This lovely setting includes a Meditation Garden, Memory Walk, and Columbarium to inter your companion’s remains.

    Columbarium Garden

    Lorraine’s Garden provides a beautiful, respectful way for you to acknowledge the importance of the bond between you and your beloved animal.

    Your animal’s urn will be in his or her own niche in one of the Columbarium Garden walls. A granite plaque engraved with your message in his or her memory will cap the outside wall. You can also consider adjoining multiple vaults to keep your animal family together.

    Fees start at $600 for each 12″ x 12″ granite niche. 

    Cremation

    For those who purchase a niche in Lorraine’s Garden, the Wisconsin Humane Society offers private cremation services for your companion animal under the caring supervision of compassionate veterinary staff.

    The cremation takes place at the Wisconsin Humane Society, and their remains are placed in an urn. 

    Lasting Memorials

    Providing a memorial gift to honor a loved one also helps animals and families served by the Wisconsin Humane Society.

    You may desire to make a lasting tribute to celebrate anyone – person or animal. There are several options to consider, including one or several of the following:

    • Memorial donation for a person or animal
    • Personalized tribute to a person or animal on a brick on the Memory Walk
    • Naming opportunities for items like benches and statuary

    Lorraine Raasch understood the profound bond between people and their companion animals and left resources in her estate for the Wisconsin Humane Society to create a special place like our Memorial Garden. 

    As a lover of Shetland Sheepdogs, Lorraine kept animals in her heart to the end of her life and we are proud to dedicate this garden in her name.

  • Low-cost Vaccines & Microchips

    Low-cost Vaccines & Microchips

    Available at all WHS sheltering locations and our Spay/Neuter Clinic, vaccine clinics give pet owners an easy, low-cost way to keep their dogs and cats healthy and happy – open to everyone!

    Appointments are required; walk-ins cannot be accommodated. If you are bringing more than one animal, you will need to request an appointment time for each animal. 

    • Please have your dog on a leash and your cat in a carrier.
    • Please bring your animal’s prior vaccine history if they have any.
    • All animals must be healthy, not pregnant, and able to be safely handled.
    • The animal’s owner must be present to give vaccination consent OR must complete the e-consent form authorizing someone else to bring in the animal on their behalf. 

    Please call the campus you booked at directly as soon as possible. Thank you! 

    Request medical records

    Please consider selecting the email option to help us save money on SMS texting charges. Thank you! 

    Ready to Book?

    Find a location below and click the BOOK ONLINE button to view upcoming appointments.

    • If there are no appointments showing on the booking page, the clinic is fully booked; however, please check back often to see when more spots become available due to cancellations or additions. 
    • Clinics are hosted approximately twice a month at the Milwaukee, Green Bay, Racine, Kenosha, and Ozaukee Campuses, as well as our West Allis Clinic location. The Door County Campus hosts clinics about once a month.
  • Barn Cat Spay/Neuter Program

    Barn Cat Spay/Neuter Program

    Offered at our Ozaukee Campus, this program is for owned cats who live primarily outside. Any Wisconsin resident who wants to have their barn cat, working cat, or outdoor cat altered is welcome to participate. 

    If you’re looking to spay or neuter a feral or community cat, please click here for our TNR program instead.

    Barn Cat surgeries are offered by appointment at our Ozaukee Campus in Saukville on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m., and pick-up occurs the same day between 3-5 p.m. 

    Important Notes

    • Since this program is for outdoor cats only, every cat who receives surgery will be painlessly ear-tipped under anesthesia during their surgery. This is to indicate to concerned parties who spot them outside that this cat has already been spayed or neutered, is not a lost stray, and does not need to be trapped or caught.
    • Cats must arrive in a carrier of some sort. If your cat is not comfortable with handling and you think you’ll need to trap them, we ask that you only make an appointment once you have already trapped the cat. If a trap was required to catch the cat, they must arrive for their appointment inside the trap, along with a blanket or towel draped on top to reduce their stress during the appointment.
    • Please note that due to the currently elevated risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) transmission from birds to cats, we are unable to accommodate surgeries if:
      • a cat is from a dairy/poultry farm, has been exposed to a backyard flock, has been exposed to sick/deceased cats, or is showing any neurological symptoms of illness (circling, stumbling, seizures). Thank you for your understanding.

    Booking Instructions:

    • Please click the blue button below and then select the “Spay/Neuter” Service to request an appointment. Requests are reviewed and confirmed during business hours (Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.). Please watch for a confirmation email (check your spam folder!) approving your appointment request and important information about surgery day.
    • At any given time, you’ll be able to see our booking availability for the next 7 days. If no appointments are available, please check back often.
    • When requesting your appointment:
      • On Step 2: if you are unsure of the cat’s gender, choose ‘Female’, and give your best estimate for the cat’s weight. Every cat is weighed before surgery and we will update this field if needed.
      • On Step 4: give your best estimate of the cat’s age. For breed, most cats are ‘Domestic Short Hair’.

    • Provide all cats with water.
    • Food should be withheld after 10 p.m. the evening prior to surgery, if possible.
    • On the day of surgery, cats should be brought to their service appointment in secure carriers or live traps. 

    • Full recovery from anesthesia may take up to 24 hours.  
    • Cats must be kept in a safe, warm place away from other animals to recover from surgery. You can use a garage, basement, bathroom, or extra room, as long as it is safe and warm.
    • Post-surgery Food & Water:
      – For adult cats over 5 months of age, offer a little food and water the morning after surgery. If they keep the food down, you can offer more. 
      – For kittens under 5 months of age, offer food the day of surgery once the kitten is fully awake. 
      – All cats and kittens should be provided with water once fully alert.
    • The cat may not urinate or defecate during the first day or two of the holding period.
    • Cats do not require suture removal after the surgery.
    • If any complications arise from the surgery, call WHS for advice. 

    • Male cats must be kept indoors for at least 24 hours post-surgery. Do not release them unless the cat is eating and fully alert.  
    • Female cats must be kept indoors for at least 48 hours post-surgery. Do not release them unless the cat is eating and fully alert. 

    Do not release the cat while they are showing any of these signs:

    • Typical post-surgical behaviors:
      – Deep sleep
      – Head bobbing
      – Wobbly movements
      – Fast breathing
      – Shivering
    • Behaviors of concern: 
      – Excessive bleeding from the incision
      – Inability to lift head by evening
      – Difficulty breathing
      – Any abnormalities of the surgical site
      – Lethargy beyond the first day of recovery.

    If any complications arise from the surgery, call WHS for advice.

  • Humane Euthanasia Services

    Humane Euthanasia Services

    The Wisconsin Humane Society provides compassionate, low-cost euthanasia services to the public at our Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Green Bay Campuses. While you are not able to be present during the procedure, please know that it will be performed by trained staff who have dedicated their careers to caring for animals and will treat them as their own in those final moments.

    Our hearts go out to you during this incredibly difficult time and hope you find some solace in the treasured companionship you’ve shared.

    Service Options

    Humane Euthanasia with Communal Cremation | After the procedure is complete, cremation will occur alongside other animals; communal ashes are not returned.

    Humane Euthanasia with Private Cremation | After the procedure is complete, your pet’s ashes will be collected and returned to you in a secure container.

    Scheduling your Services

    Before scheduling an appointment, please note:

    • This service does not include a veterinary consultation.
    • You will be unable to accompany your pet beyond the Arrivals lobby, as owners and visitors are not able to be present during the procedure.
    • We cannot return your animal’s intact body to you after euthanasia, as home burial is not legal in many municipalities and can pose a safety risk to other animals and the environment— cremation is required for all animals utilizing humane euthanasia services at WHS.
    • For reptiles, amphibians, and birds, please call ahead to verify we can accommodate your request before booking.

    Appointments are highly encouraged, as we may not have certified staff available to perform euthanasia during all hours of operation.

    Find the location nearest you below to schedule an appointment. At our Milwaukee Campus, you can book online, and we can take scheduling requests over the phone at our Green Bay, Racine, and Ozaukee Campuses.

    Please contact your veterinarian for references or search:
     inhomepeteuthanasia.com or inhomeeuthanasiadirectory.com
    Please note that these resources are not affiliated with the Wisconsin Humane Society in any way. We do offer stand-alone communal and private cremation services if you so choose after your pet has passed.