Stray animals are accepted from contracted municipalities only. These contracts with the municipalities have legal requirements on when and how SWCHS can receive an animal, which may require the police department or Town Chairman to be directly and solely involved. Others require SWCHS to maintain available spaces for the municipality. Not all municipalities have contracts and as a result, refusal of a stray from a municipality without a contract is possible. SWCHS understands the frustration when this happens, however, we must honor our legal obligations.
Found Pets
If you’ve found a stray animal and it is safe to do so, check for an ID tag and contact the owner immediately. If no tag is present, consider taking the animal to a veterinary office or humane society to scan for a microchip.
Animals in SWCHS care
Animals are posted to our Facebook Lost and Found page.
A $35 reclaim fee will be charged for the first 24 to 48 hours of care for animals submitted to SWCHS. An additional $10 will be added to the reclaim fee every day after the 48 hour mark. Stray animals are not adoptable for up to one week to give owners time to locate and reclaim their lost pet.
Lost Pets
If your pet goes missing please call the Humane Society immediately to file a missing pet report. Please send us a photo of your pet and a description so we can identify your pet if it enters the shelter.
Posting your missing pet on social media is a great way of getting others involved in finding your lost pet faster. Popular sites include:
- Dogs: https://lostdogsofwisconsin.org/report/
- Cats: https://m.facebook.com/LostCatsofWisconsin/
- Pets: https://www.helpinglostpets.com/v2/OrgPet.aspx?oid=963
- Pet: https://search.petfbi.org/report.html
If you have lost your cat remember that cats like their own odor. Put their litter box outside. DO NOT put food. You will end up with more than just your cat.
If your have a lost dog try putting a recently worn piece of clothing outside. Remember dogs can smell up to 3 miles away.
View our gallery of lost pets below. If you think your pet may be at the Humane Society please call us immediately. Owners will need to show proof of pet ownership and pay any fees associated with reclaiming a lost pet.
Laws pertaining to stray animals: