PURPOSE
• EDUCATE the public about the humane treatment and care of animals and act as an informational resource on pets and the responsibilities of pet ownership
• PROMOTE awareness of pet over-population, its tragic consequences and the importance of spaying/neutering pets
• PROVIDE temporary care for homeless pets
• FIND permanent suitable homes for abandoned and unwanted animals
• REUNITE lost pets with their owners
• ASSIST our community in resolving animal problems by working with law enforcement in cases of animals abuse and neglect
SERVICES
Surrendered animals: Individuals wishing to surrender an animal should contact the shelter at 715-635-4720 prior to coming in.
Stray or Lost animals: Stray animals can be brought to the shelter during regular operating hours. If you find a stray at any other time call your township or city police to assist you. WCAHS does not pick up animals. WCAHS keeps a lost and found log of reported missing pets. Call the shelter and the Sheriffs Department to report a missing pet.
Adoptions: WCAHS works to place animals in permanent good, loving homes. Adoptions fees include all necessary vaccinations, de-worming and spay/neuter.
Injured animals: Anyone finding an injured animals is asked to contact WCAHS for advice on medical attention.
Cruelty: To report cruelty to animals call the Washburn County Sheriffs Department at 715-468-4720 or 715-468-4700
S.N.A.P. Program
Most of us alter our pets to help control unwanted litters of puppies and kittens that keep adding to the current pet overpopulation problem, not just in our area but across the country. Did you know there are many other reasons why it is important to have your pet spayed or neutered? Un-neutered dogs and cats are much more likely to roam in search of a female in heat. They also mark their territory by spraying strong smelling urine on surfaces both outside and inside your home. Most un-spayed female cats in heat will exhibit behaviors such as yowling and urinating more frequently, sometimes all over the house, advertising for mates. Often they will attract males from great distances that will gladly "mark" their territory all around the female’s home. The same is true for female dogs in heat. Males will come from near and far in search of a mate, plus she will generally have bloody discharge for over a week.
Did you know your altered pet will also live a longer, healthier life? Neutering your male cat or dog by six months of age prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias. Spaying your female cat or dog significantly reduces the risk of developing breast tumors, mammary cancer and eliminates the chances of ovarian and uterine cancer and uterine infections which can be common in older animals.
The best time to get your pet altered is between three to five months of age. Altering them at an early age will help avoid the behavior problems mentioned above.
There is no reason to wait to spay or neuter your pet! For more information about our SNAP program or to request an application, contact Washburn County Area Humane Society, 1300 Roundhouse Road. Spooner, WI 54801, 715-635-4720. You can also print an application by clicking on the links below. Please download both the cover sheet and the application. We hope you will become one of the many responsible pet owners who are helping to control the pet overpopulation problem in Washburn County by having your pet spayed or neutered!
ABOUT US
Washburn County Area Humane Society (WCAHS) was established in March 1994 and incorporated in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit corporation. The shelter has 10 cat kennels, a cat “play-room” and a number of additional larger wire kennels. There are 12 inside dog kennels and 12 outside covered runs including a play yard. All animals are kept indoors at night and in extreme weather conditions.
WCAHS is the official pound for stray animals in Washburn County but also provides shelter on an average to over 700 homeless animals annually.
We advocate animal population control and offer spay/neuter assistance to qualifying fixed or low income families through our S.N.A.P. (Spay and Neuter All Pets) program. We also see that every animal adopted from WCAHS is spayed or neutered and vaccinated before they go into their new home.
WCAHS is a no-kill shelter. Euthanizations are only performed at local vet clinics and only when an animal is too sick to survive or has aggression issues that make the animal unsafe to adopt out to the community.
WCAHS relies primarily on funds donated by individuals with some assistance from the County, cities and townships for the strays. The money we receive is used to help feed and care for the animals, provide any necessary medications and medical procedures and for the general operating costs of the building. Donations can be designated for a specific category such as the S.N.A.P program, building addition, memorial or “in honor of” and the *Chester Fund which is used to help shelter animals requiring special medical treatment.
WCAHS has a staff of two full time and three part time employees. In addition, we rely heavily on volunteers who give their time to walk dogs, play with cats, assist with shelter duties such as cleaning, folding laundry, yard work and assisting with the many fundraising activities throughout the year, just to name a few. WCAHS also has a foster care program where qualified individuals/families can volunteer to care for an animal until the animal finds a permanent home. Any person interested in volunteering or fostering is encouraged to contact the shelter to learn more about any of these opportunities.WCAHS is a no-kill shelter. Euthanizations are only performed at local vet clinics and only when an animal is too sick to survive or has aggression issues that make the animal unsafe to adopt out to the community. WCAHS relies primarily on funds donated by individuals with some assistance from the County, cities and townships for the strays. The money we receive is used to help feed and care for the animals, provide any necessary medications and medical procedures and for the general operating costs of the building. Donations can be designated for a specific category such as the S.N.A.P program, building addition, memorial or “in honor of” and the *Chester Fund which is used to help shelter animals requiring special medical treatment. WCAHS has a staff of two full time and three part time employees. In addition, we rely heavily on volunteers who give their time to walk dogs, play with cats, assist with shelter duties such as cleaning, folding laundry, yard work and assisting with the many fundraising activities throughout the year, just to name a few. WCAHS also has a foster care program where qualified individuals/families can volunteer to care for an animal until the animal finds a permanent home. Any person interested in volunteering or fostering is encouraged to contact the shelter to learn more about any of these opportunities.