Dane County Humane Society

06/17/2025

Missy was featured on 94.9 WOLX and 105.5 Triple M this morning as their Pet of the Week, and she’s so ready to meet you! Our Adoption Center is open until 7pm on Tuesdays, so there's still plenty of time to come visit.

Missy is a 3-year-old Staffordshire Terrier with a big heart, big ears, and an even bigger bounce when she’s happy. She may be a little shy at first, but give her time to feel safe and her goofy, playful side shines through. She loves her stuffies, sploots like a pro, and is already house-trained!

She’s lived with cats, dogs, and kids before, and she’d thrive in a calm, peaceful home where she can relax and be your loyal sidekick.

Missy is part of our Lonely Hearts Club, so her adoption fee is reduced. She might be hanging out in an office, so just ask at the adoption center desk if you’d like to meet her!

giveshelter.org/lhc

06/17/2025

For this with Madison Minutes, we'd like you to meet Aoli. This 2-year-old shepherd mix came to DCHS at the end of May on a transfer from an overcrowded shelter in Alabama. While he was adopted soon after, it wasn’t the right fit, so DCHS is helping him find a new home. Aoli is a friendly pup who loves playing with toys, especially fetch, and running around outside. He can pull at times when walking on leash, but has been improving through training. Aoli knows sit very well, especially when he gets to earn a treat. He’s a spirited pup who can sometimes be a little loud and jumpy, but that’s because he gets excited. Aoli is still learning and is eager to please. He’s looking for a patient family who will give him time to acclimate to his new home while working with him on his positive reinforcement training. Aoli wants to be their best companion. Will you be his? To learn more about Aoli, visit www.giveshelter.org/adopt

06/16/2025

Looking for a unique or meaningful gift? Check out Da Goodist Doggies Tarot Deck & Da Biscuit Makers’ Blessings Oracle Deck!

This heartfelt project by artist Amy Froelich combines original digitally collaged art, storytelling, and real rescue pets (paired with their heroic humans), plus a booklet that shares their stories and card meanings.

The best part? 50% of every sale is donated to animal shelters and rescues. Be sure to enter "Dane County Humane Society" as the shelter of choice when placing your order!

Visit www.etsy.com/shop/dagoodistdoggies to learn more and purchase your new tarot or oracle deck!

06/15/2025

Have you ever wondered what an adoption fee covers? DCHS is a private, donor-supported nonprofit that relies, in part, on adoption fees to help pay for the cost of comfort, care, and, if necessary, medical needs and behavioral rehabilitation. Adoption fees also cover:

For dogs:
• Spay or neuter surger
• DA2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), Rabies (when age appropriate), and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations
• Flea and tick treatment and dewormer
• Heartworm test for adult dogs
• Microchip
• Additional vaccines and veterinary care as needed

For cats:
• Spay or neuter surgery
• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) and Rabies (when age appropriate) vaccinations
• Flea and tick treatment and dewormer
• Microchip
• Additional vaccines and veterinary care as needed

For rabbits:
• Spay or neuter surgery
• Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 vaccinations

To view adoption fees and see available animals, click on the link in our comments.

06/14/2025

Thanks to you, compassion shows up in powerful ways every day at DCHS: a volunteer gently coaxing a shy cat out of hiding, a wildlife rehabilitator healing an injured animal, an adopter falling in love with a pup who’s been waiting too long for a second chance.

Whether it’s a car ride, a walk in the woods, or a night on the couch, for a shelter dog, even a few hours out of the kennel can be transformative. For Oliver, a goofy young hound mix, some outings and overnights with a few of our compassionate volunteers completely changed his life.

Read Oliver's story, one of several in our Family Tails newsletter, and celebrate healing, hope, and the kind of resilience that inspires all of us to keep going. At the heart of these stories and the data in our 2024 Annual Report is a simple truth: because of YOU, these animals received the care they needed and the futures they deserve.

You can make 2025 another compassionate year for animals coming to DCHS and in our community by making a contribution today. Thanks to a generous matching gift from Linn Roth and Jean Martinelli, you will DOUBLE your impact up to $10,000 when you give before July 15th!

Give now: https://donor.giveshelter.org/page/family-tails-2025

Read Oliver's story: https://www.giveshelter.org/news/olivears

Peruse Family Tails 2025: www.giveshelter.org/reports

06/14/2025

Meet Willa! This sweet young adult dog is so ready to find her new family. She loves to play, especially with squeaky toys, and she’s never one to turn down a tasty treat. Willa can be a little shy when meeting new people, but with some time and encouragement, she’ll warm up and show you just how goofy and lovable she really is.

Willa spent time in a foster home where she quickly became best friends with the resident dogs, often following them around and joining in on playtime. She also did well around the foster’s cats. Willa would thrive in a home with another dog to help show her the ropes and a patient adopter who can keep building up her confidence. She isn’t too sure about leashes yet, so a home with a fenced yard would be a real bonus. Willa is also looking for a home without small kids, as they can be a little overwhelming for her.

If you’ve got a big heart and room in your home, come meet Willa and see if you’re the person she’s been waiting for. Our adoption center opens at 11 am today (6/14)!

06/14/2025

After being featured on the John And Gordy In The Morning on 92.7 WMDX earlier this week, Morty had an idea to kick off his own show. Add Morty to your family and you could enjoy Friday Fun with Morty, Mornings with Morty, Adventures with Morty, Father's Day with Morty(?!), and so much more!

This goofy adult hound mix is friendly and leans in for pets. He enjoys exploring, rolling in the grass, and going for walks and hikes. He walks well on leash. He's met a few dogs in the shelter, some he likes to fence run with and others he's fine with just coexisting, but introductions should be done slowly. Morty is looking for a family who will spoil him with fun adventures and companionship.

To learn more about Morty, visit www.giveshelter.org/adopt or stop by our Adoption Center between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm this weekend to meet him.

06/13/2025

Looking for puppy snuggles? Meet Fargo (black and white) and Fergie! These nearly 3-month-old puppies had so much fun meeting new people and exploring at their Pet of the Week segment on WKOW 27. You can catch their segment here: https://www.wkow.com/news/pet-s-of-the-week-meet-fergie-and-fargo/article_f9c1a5e1-af0b-4b9b-887a-51a671ece42f.html

Fergie and Fargo, both females, are friendly, curious, and playful, but sometimes they can be a little shy. They already know sit, especially when there's a yummy treat to earn. Fergie and Fargo are looking for separate families who will work with them on their puppy training and build their confidence while spoiling them with playtime, treats, and snuggles. To learn more about them, visit www.giveshelter.org/adopt or stop by our Adoption Center, which is open until 7:00 pm today (June 13) to meet them.

06/13/2025

Time is scurrying away! Critterpalooza ends this Sunday, June 15th, and that means your chance to adopt an adorable critter at 50% off is almost gone!

There are still a few adorable, quirky, and lovable little ones waiting for their person to come along. They’ve got big personalities, curious noses, and plenty of affection to give — all they’re missing is you.

Our Adoption Center opens tomorrow (6/13) at noon, so scamper in and see who’s ready to join your family. Don’t let this chance hop on by — these critters are too cute to miss!

06/12/2025

Looking for the perfect way to spend your Friday afternoon? Visit Black Sapphire Tattoo this Friday (6/13) for their Flash Sale from 12pm-8pm. They will donate a portion of the proceeds to DCHS!

Then, stop by our East Side Thrift Store to shop and show off your new tattoo or piercing. It's a great way to treat yourself while making a difference for animals in need!

Need a new tattoo?!
Of course you do...

Stop by our East side store neighbors at Black Sapphire Tattoo next week for a flash tattoo on June 13th!
While you wait for your turn to get inked, you can shop at our store across the parking lot.



Black Sapphire Tattoo is also collecting canned cat and dog food for us to help feed shelter pets! On your way to get cash for your tatt and tips, consider grabbing a few cans to help feed some hungry fur balls.

06/12/2025

Tomorrow (6/12) starting at 4pm, The Biergarten at Olbrich Park is hosting a benefit night for DCHS!

All profits from the evening will be donated, and additional donations will be accepted at the register. After two reschedules, we're hoping the weather holds out for a fun night by the lake in support of animals in need!

P.S. Still figuring out dinner tonight (6/11)? Head to Red Robin in Monona. Mention DCHS or show the fundraiser flyer and 20% of eligible food sales will be donated to DCHS! They're open until 10pm!

Learn more at: www.giveshelter.org/events

06/11/2025

Can we get a round of ap-paws for May's Volunteer of the Month, Lydia Loessin?

Lydia has been a dedicated FIT (Felines in Treatment) Center Feline Caretaker since January 2024, and in just a few months, she’s contributed over 70 hours of hands-on care to cats recovering from ringworm. While ringworm is a common and treatable condition, it’s also highly contagious and requires a long and involved treatment process, including medicated baths, daily cleaning, and close monitoring.

At DCHS’s FIT Center, over 95% of the care these cats receive comes from volunteers. Caretakers like Lydia are the heart of the program—not only providing daily care, but also offering enrichment and emotional support to cats who are often with us for an extended stay. Lydia consistently goes above and beyond for the cats in treatment and brings a calm, thoughtful presence to every shift.

She’s also a kind and welcoming teammate, and we’re so lucky to have her on the FIT Center team. Thank you, Lydia, for your compassion, commitment, and all you do to help these cats heal!