No living animal should go unwanted. Yet, every day
across America, they pour into
animal shelters…their eyes reflecting the fear and uncertainty
in their lives.
At a glance, can you tell what they have been through?
Suffering has many faces…a dog spending countless nights
searching for a warm place to shelter them…a mother cat seeking
solace and food for her family in an abandoned building…a lonely
senior animal given up by its family, not knowing why it has
come to this unfamiliar place.
We live in a state known for its beauty, yet the plight of
unwanted animals is far from beautiful. Over 5,000 animals are
homeless in Washington County alone, and the numbers continue to
grow. We need your help to continue to carry out our important
mission. We can’t do it alone.
Our Mission
The mission of The Washington County Humane Society is to
protect animals from suffering and cruelty, to provide care
for animals afflicted by neglect and abandonment, and to
enhance the lives of animals and people through education,
adoption and compassion.
The WCHS...
Rescues and cares for nearly 3,500
animals each year
Is a private, nonprofit
organization serving animals and people since 1968
Does not euthanize for space and
does not put a time limit on
adoptable pets
Receives no government funding or tax
dollars and is not a United Way agency
Receives no funding from, and is not
affiliated with, any state, national, or other humane
organizations
Relies heavily on the generosity
of our supporters
We Need Your Support Because We...
Take in
surrendered and stray animals, proving them with inoculations
and testing
Reunite lost animals with their loving guardians
Treat illnesses in-house with outside veterinary support, and
provide emergency veterinary care for animals in need
Perform low cost spay/neuter surgeries with our
Barn Buddies
program and Feral Cat TNR
(Trap/Neuter/Release) program to reduce pet overpopulation
Work extensively with potential adopters to ensure the best
possible matches, and provide follow-up consulting services to
those families as well as others calling for assistance
Offer
educational programs to schools at no cost to teach children
about responsible pet care and bite prevention
Provide teachers and students with access to our Resource Room
for research materials (videos, books and lesson plans) on
animal-related issues
Offer presentations to community groups about the role of the
Humane Society in our community
Brighten the lives of nursing home and hospital residents with
our Pet-A-Pet Therapy program
Are contracted with Washington County for stray dog pickup,
and contracted with 12 out of 20 municipalities for stray cat
and injured/ill wildlife pickup
Provide free care and shelter for the companion animals of
domestic abuse victims in our Safe Pets/Safe People program
Act as an animal sheltering facility for the Red Cross in the
event of a local disaster
Provide dogs at no charge to Service Organizations such as
Dogs for Independence, PAWS With a Cause, and U.S. Customs
Work closely with wildlife rehabilitators prior to re-release
Are a driving force for greater legislative protection for
animals throughout Wisconsin
Programs & Services
Barn Buddies
Barn Buddies
offers an inexpensive opportunity to protect the health and
well-being of your outdoor barn buddy, while helping to limit
cat overpopulation in our county. For just $50 (male) or $60
(female), your lovable mouser will get spayed/neutered,
receive a parasite treatment, and rabies and distemper
vaccinations.
Feral Cat TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release)
Washington
County
cats are spayed/neutered, receive a rabies vaccine, and have
their ear tipped for identification purposes.
Purina Pets for Seniors
This program allows senior citizens (60 years and older) to
adopt an animal at a reduced price or no charge at all!
Buddy System
Take two wonderful, loving cats home for the price of one! We
will be happy to help you find just the right pair you are
looking for.
Dog Training
We provide year-round, low-cost
dog training classes
to assist dog owners and prevent pet relinquishment.
Crematorium – “A Lasting Memory”
The passing of a family pet is never easy. To help ease the
pain during this difficult time, we offer private or group
cremation services. We also offer
beautiful urns
as a memorial for your beloved pet.
The Washington County Humane Society was formed in West Bend
in January, 1960,
when twenty-six people who were concerned
about the well being of the county’s animals got together.
It was a totally volunteer organization whose members
responded to lost or stray animal calls. In 1968, the
organization was incorporated.
WCHS originally shuttled strays to the Milwaukee shelter,
but because of the large number of animals in Milwaukee, the
chances of adoption were not good. In 1978, the shelter
opened its present 2-acre site beside the Polk Town Hall on
State Road 60 sandwiched between Jackson and Slinger.
Animals now had a home where they were protected and cared
for, and where owners could reclaim their lost pets. During
its first year of operation, the shelter cared for less than
1,000 animals, and for many years, this facility adequately
served the animal population of Washington County.
The needs of the shelter continued to grow, and in 1994, a
capital campaign began. The animals moved into the new
addition in August 1996. The facility is now energy
efficient, safe for the animals and staff, and welcoming to
the public. The building is constructed of concrete and
steel, and kennel size for the dogs was increased. An
enclosed courtyard allows canine residents to freely run and
play with staff, volunteers, and prospective owners. The
administrative offices are located in the old portion of the
building which was renovated in 2002, and the original dog
training facility continues to provide a source of income
through low-cost training classes, fundraisers, and room
rentals. A crematorium was added in 1998, and we offer
group and private cremations to the public, as well as area
veterinarians.
The Washington County Humane Society recently celebrated our
42nd anniversary, and feel we have accomplished so much over
the years. We are a member of the Wisconsin Federated
Humane Societies, and are proud of our cooperative
relationships with shelters around the state. We believe
that working together strengthens all of us and continually
moves us closer to a better world for the animals in our
care. We couldn’t have done any of this without our amazing
supporters, so we are eternally grateful for their continued
support.
