Every year approximately 8-12 million companion animals are relinquished to shelters in the United States and approximately 65% of those animals are euthanized.  Unfortunately, the pet-overpopulation crisis in the US comes as a surprise to most Americans.  Irresponsible pet owners flood our nation's shelters with animals when they are no longer committed to caring for them, while these same shelters struggle with the misconception the animals inside are "unadoptable".

Sadly, the term "shelter animal" has a negative connotation with many Americans.  People are under the assumption that shelter animals are sick, old and have behavioral problems.  The truth is that the many pets being destroyed daily are healthy and loving animals.  These once loyal companions are abandoned for numerous reasons, often because their owners were not prepared for the lifetime commitment to their pets.

By adopting a shelter animal or one from a rescue, you can be proud of the fact that you are saving a life.  The rewards that you will receive in return are priceless; a lifetime of love and companionship.

Rock County Humane Society 222 S. Arch Street Janesville, WI 53545 608-752-5622 www.rockcountyhumanesociety.com	Beaver Dam Humane Society 210 Stoddart St. Beaver Dam, WI 53916-1355 262/723-3899 www.dodgecountyhumanesociety.org	Kenosha County Humane Society 7811 60th Ave. Kenosha, WI 53142 262/694-4047 www.safeharborhumane.org
Lakeland Animal Welfare Society Hwy 67 S., P. O. Box 469 Delavan, WI 53115 262/723-3899 www.lakelandanimalshelter.org	Dane County Humane Society 5132 Voges Road Madison, WI 53718 608-838-0413 www.giveshelter.org	Elmbrook Humane Society 21210 Enterprise Ave. Brookfield, WI  53045 262-782-9261 www.ebhs.org
Marathon County Humane Society 316 E. Kent St. Wausau, WI 54401 715/845-2810 www.catsndogs.org	Washington County Humane Society 3650 Highway 60 West Bend, WI 53095 414/677-4388 www.washingtoncountyhumane.org	Green County Humane Society 1500 7th Ave Monroe, WI 53566 608/325-9600 www.greencountyhumane.org
Jefferson County Humane Society W6510 Kiesling Rd. Jefferson, WI  53549 920/674-2048 www.gojefferson.com/HumaneSociety	Wisconsin Humane Society 4500 W. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI  53208-3156 414/264-6257 www.wihumane.org	Sauk County Animal Shelter 618 Hwy. 136 (across from K-Mart) Baraboo, WI  53913 608-356-2520 www.saukhumane.org