The Wisconsin Humane Society dates to 1879 and now runs six adoption campuses across the state, a public spay and neuter clinic in West Allis, and a wildlife rehabilitation center in Milwaukee. It says it serves more than a third of Wisconsin's animals and families. Here is how adoption, surrender, wildlife drop-off, and giving work.
The organization does not use the no-kill label, which it considers unstandardized, but it states plainly that it does not euthanize animals for reasons of space or time and places every safe, healthy animal into its adoption program. It also takes in animals other shelters cannot, which keeps it from claiming a simple no-kill tag.
It holds municipal stray contracts in several counties, including Racine, Brown, Door, Kenosha, Kewaunee, and Ozaukee, and accepts animals from Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control. That mix of contracts is why it functions as an open-door organization across much of the state.
Adoption fees are variable rather than fixed. The shelter says the price depends on an animal's age, medical needs, and how long it has been waiting, and it often runs name-your-own-fee events for adult cats and longer-stay dogs. Each dog and cat adoption includes spay or neuter surgery, a microchip, initial vaccines, a collar, applicable testing, behavior and medical assessments, food, and a certificate for a free vet exam.
Adoption is walk-in based. You visit a campus, join a list if there is a wait, and meet with an adoption counselor; the adopter profile they ask you to fill out is a conversation starter, not a pass-or-fail application.
Owner surrender is accepted on a walk-in basis at all campuses during arrival hours, no appointment needed. Fees are tiered by species, $40 for a single dog or cat and $75 for multiples, $30 or $55 for rabbits, $20 or $35 for small animals, and $75 for exotics. The shelter says fees can be reduced or waived and that it will never turn an animal away for lack of money.
The public spay and neuter clinic in West Allis offers affordable surgery to anyone, not just adopters. Call for current pricing, which the shelter sets to stay below private-practice rates.
Wildlife sets this organization apart from most companion-animal shelters. Its Milwaukee Wildlife Rehabilitation Center treats thousands of wild animals a year from Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Racine counties and is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Call before bringing in a wild animal.
Volunteers can start at 16 on their own, or at 13 to 15 with a guardian, and hands-on animal roles ask for a six-month commitment and a regular weekly shift. Fostering is for adults 18 and older and runs through the Rachael Ray Nutrish Foster Program; the shelter provides food, a crate, medications, and supplies.
The wish list is specific and current: unopened dry and canned cat and dog food, canned chicken, hot dogs, peanut butter, folding wire crates, potty pads, non-retractable leashes, kitten milk replacer, and, for the wildlife center, unsalted nuts, black oil sunflower seed, and unflavored Pedialyte. The organization holds four stars from Charity Navigator with a 97 percent score; its EIN is 39-0810533.
Dogs, cats, rabbits, small animals, birds, and reptiles across six campuses.
Milwaukee center treats thousands of wild animals a year; call before bringing one in.
Affordable surgery in West Allis, open to the public, not just adopters.
Walk-in surrender at all campuses, with fees that can be reduced or waived.
Adult fosters supported with food, crates, and medical supplies.
Low-cost vaccinations serving thousands of pets a year.
Sources: Wisconsin Humane Society (wihumane.org) adoption, surrender, wildlife, and wish-list pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 39-0810533); IRS filings via ProPublica, retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Wisconsin Humane Society and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
More animal shelters and donation guides