<![CDATA[Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies - Member Spotlight]]>Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:01:14 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Shelter Spotlight]]>Thu, 04 May 2023 19:14:50 GMThttp://www.wisconsinfederatedhs.org/member-spotlight/shelter-spotlight2032622Watertown Humane Society
  • WFHS member since:  2019
  • 4.6 star rating on Google reviews
  • 10,000 followers on Facebook
  • Manager: My name is Heather VanDam and I started volunteering here probably 15 years ago, I was hired on as an adoption counselor basically because I was here all the time and they said we should probably pay you for all this time, I was officially hired in Sept. of 2018.   After going through the UW Shelter Medicine program in 2019 we developed some new roles including Executive Director, I have filled that role since its creation.  

On your Facebook page I see that you are doing a campaign for a shelter renovation project, can you tell me more about that?  
To our core we believe that when we know better, we must do better.   Our shelter, all be it sufficient, has many flaws when taking into consideration our climate and all the newer science behind animal sheltering.  For example, our dog kennel is designed where our dogs all face each other, which as we all know increases kennel noise and stress and can quickly deteriorate a dog’s personality and comfort.  

For us it is so much more than the physical state of the shelter, which of course needs some updating as well, for us it’s all about creating a safer, healthier environment for the animals to live in while they wait to be adopted.    Beyond the opportunity for easier sanitation, our new space will give our more reactive dogs a haven from being near other dogs which will make it much safer for our canine companions to access the dogs for their much-needed walks and one on one time. 

We are most excited about the plans for a very large indoor play area for all those times in Wisconsin that it just isn’t the most comfortable to be outside with the dogs.  With the financial help from our supporters, we are certain we can provide the best possible steppingstone to a better life for the animals in our care.  

Game show fundraiser- very unique and looks like it would be a lot of fun- what can you tell me about it?
We are very excited to offer again this year the Furry Feud!   This family style game show features teams competing against each other in a game very similar to the popular TV game show the Family Feud.  Teams dress up in costumes and represent their team theme with style while they have their chance to compete for the title of Furriest of them All!  

The event features amazing silent auction prizes and signature cocktails; it really is an incredibly fun event that serves as our largest fundraiser of the year.   Join us for the fun on August 19th 2023 at Turner Hall in Watertown.   www.whsadopt.org/furryfeud 

Spay/Neuter program- recently celebrated 100th patient- congratulations!  Is this a new program, how does it work, how long in the making, etc?
Like most shelters we have struggled to find spay/neuter appointments for the animals in our care.  In October of 2022 we worked diligently to buy equipment and convert a small storage room into a surgical suite, and we have the honor of working with Dr. Brooke Groskopf who is on staff now for two days a week. 

Although the plan for the surgical suite started to support our shelter animals, we started to realize that pet owners were struggling to find and afford this care for their own pets as well.   Dr. Brooke and our team of Vet Techs can provide safe and efficient spay/neuter surgeries at a lower cost to approximately 60 animals per week, which of course not only is helping our animals get adopted faster but by being able to offer this service to the public we have seen that it has provided some much-needed financial relief for pet owners and essential medical care for the pets in our communities. 
​
We are proud of the service we can offer to the public and the gratitude we receive from our clients is incredibly rewarding.  We have quickly outgrown that little storage closet suite and have plans to improve on this surgical space during our renovation project that we hope to break ground on in 2023, more space means we have more capacity to help the animals who need us! 

Are there any programs or initiatives you are currently offering that you are really proud of?  What can you tell me about that program/initiative?
During Covid we started a very small and informal food pantry here at the shelter.   We are proud of the much-needed support that this has provided for the pet owners of our community since its opening.   With the new renovation this food pantry will be given some dedicated space that will allow us to expand its offerings and continue to aid those in need.   

Name one way you pivoted during COVID that was successful for you- maybe even something you’re still doing/offering now?
As we all know our entire world changed during Covid, for us one of the best things that happened was the trend of appointment only.   We are a very small staff, we only have two members of the adoption team on staff during open hours, and it can be busy and distracting.  By requiring an appointment for animal visiting we have been afforded the time to prepare for the day’s events, and lessen our distraction during adoption appointments.   We truly feel we are more effective and thorough when our time is slotted to a specific animal and its adoption.   

What are you looking forward to in 2023?
With the building initiative underway, we are most excited to work towards that.   During this whole process we support each other with the plans to not be bigger, just be better.  
]]><![CDATA[shelter spotlight]]>Tue, 28 Jun 2022 17:33:31 GMThttp://www.wisconsinfederatedhs.org/member-spotlight/shelter-spotlight​washburn county humane society 
Picture
  • WFHS Members since 2011
  • 4.9/5 rating on Google reviews
  • 5.6k followers on Facebook
  • Manager almost 2 years: Ali Chartrand
  • New logo debuted 2020
  • Annual intake? 600-700
  • Staff members? (FTE vs PTE): 1 FTE, 3PTE + manager

Can you tell me more about the SNAP program?
            SNAP stands for Spay Neuter All Pets.  How it works: The shelter pays $50.00 towards the spay or neuter for animals owned by a Washburn county resident, up to 2 animals per household with an income requirement.  WCAHS verifies with the owner’s veterinarian that they will accept the shelter’s payment toward towards the procedure.  The program is funded off of donations received while they are available; WCAHS hasn’t had to turn anyone away yet.   Last year they had 30-40 applicants.  This is not an actual spay/neuter clinic but the shelter and their community coming together to assist with the cost for low income families.  The shelter markets the program on their website otherwise it’s by word of mouth or phone calls to the shelter.

On your Facebook page it looks like you had some decal work done, can you tell me about that?
            Rio, a volunteer who fosters kittens for the shelter does a lot of painting in her free time.  Shelter Manager Ali wanted a mural painted in the shelter’s Meet and Greet room.  Ali initially had plans to work with a local school for the artwork and then COVID-19 happened. Ali commissioned Rio to do the artwork instead!  WCAHS used all of Rio’s own ideas- she made two sketches for the project and WCAHS approved them both!  The time and supplies to make this dream a reality was all donated- no expense to the shelter and they have received a lot of positive feedback.  It took maybe 2-3 weeks to be completed but it will be adding so much fun and enthusiasm to the shelter for years to come.  The best part?  The animals featured in the artwork were based off of current pets in the shelter- WCAHS staff will always remember those pets who have been immortalized on the shelter walls. 

Were you able to have your 26th anniversary celebration?
            WCAHS was still able to host their 26th anniversary celebration with modifications and unfortunately not nearly as much success due to COVID-19.  Each year they host an event called the Tree of Lights which includes an Open House.  They have a live tree donated each year that is decorated along with the front of the shelter.   Individuals can donate to get their name on the tree of lights- any size donation is welcome.  The donation can be made in memory or in honor of a person or pet and people are able to view the tree whether the shelter was open or not- it was accessible to everyone.  Instead of being able to host the Open House, have raffles and prizes, snacks and lunch, etc. WCAHS was only able to do the tree this year.  An event that typically comes in at just under 10k brought in barely 2k this year.

How has COVID impacted your shelter?
            WCAHS is currently only allowing staff in the shelter; no volunteers and visitors by appointment only.  They are doing online applications and scheduling visits once the application has been approved.  Adoptions haven’t really slowed down but Shelter Manager Ali misses the spontaneous adoptions that would happen on site when someone came in to visit a pet and fell in love.  WACHS staff has had to take on a lot of new roles previously held by WCAHS volunteers.  WCAHS staff are working their butts off and missing their volunteer crew.  Fundraising has also been impacted.  For the first time this year WCAHS did a calendar fundraiser that was spearheaded by Vice President of the Board of Directors, Abby Johnson.   WCAHS was able to raise approximately 3k from voting and submissions to the calendar.  They are currently in the process of selling their finished product and of the 150 ordered they have about 20 or so left, selling for $15.00 each.  They do plan to bring the calendars back next year as well.  In addition to not being able to have their 26th anniversary celebration they were also unable to hold their annual bowling tournament or Halloween parade.  One thing Ali was able to tout was that she doesn’t have staffing issues; her staff, though small, has been flexible and awesome.  WCAHS as many other shelters felt the pain of 2020.     

Are there any programs or initiatives you are currently offering that you are really proud of?  What can you tell me about that program/initiative?
            WCAHS has an after school program partnership with their local middle and elementary school in which students are able to come in and clean litter boxes, sweep, check food and waters, re-feed shelter pets and more.  The students get to learn about pet ownership and responsibility.  This program has been put on hold due to COVID-19 but Shelter Manager Ali really enjoys this program and the adoptions that happen because of it; the kids go home and tell their parents about a pet they met and the next thing you know the parents are calling the shelter and it’s all over but signing the adoption contract!  Ali says that seeing the kids and hearing all of the questions they ask and what they tell you about their own pets at home is very rewarding and fun.  The school handles registration and there are limited spots available.  When the program was running the kids were coming two days per week.     

What are you looking forward to in 2021?
            Shelter Manager Ali is really looking forward to getting her volunteers back.  She is hoping they can really buckle down and come up with new, creative fundraising activities to offer.  No one knew we would be finding ourselves in this situation and now there’s a new normal to adjust to.  Ali is looking forward to new ideas and opening back up more to the community, as well as community interaction and making sure the shelter is a safe place to come.

What would you say your shelter struggles with the most?
            Shelter Manager Ali feels that she struggles most with the task of finding fosters that are willing to take on the shelter’s sick animals or pregnant moms.  She has a steadfast crew of loyal fosters who help without any questions asked but during kitten season it is hard to find a place for pregnant cats, which means kittens end up being born in the shelter.  WCAHS has limited isolation space so it can be a struggle with URI and trying to nurse the fragile back to health.  Ali wishes her foster base was a lot bigger.

What benefits have you found from your shelter’s WFHS membership?
            Ali hasn’t done the in-person events or conference and hasn’t attended any webinars.  She feels that it’s hard to get away; the shelter is so small and it’s hard to find the time.  The days are going by so fast, especially without volunteers in the shelter and such a limited staff.
]]>