Year after year, there are more and more dogs that are left homeless, abandoned, and neglected, and there is only one thing that can help this situation.
There is, of course, a need to educate people on proper pet ownership and how to take care of their family members, but only one thing can help lower the number of dogs in shelters—adoption.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of high-kill shelters that simply euthanize dogs because of overpopulation and a lack of funding, but fortunately, there are also those rescues and shelters that truly care about the animals and will do anything in their power to help and provide them with their forever homes.
Every dog deserves to live a happy and healthy life, after all, they are man’s best friends and were created to be the ultimate human companions.
So, if you are looking to adopt a dog, check out our ultimate list of 14 admirable dog rescues in Wisconsin! Read on to find some adorable pups who are waiting for their forever home!
14 Dog Rescues In Wisconsin
1. Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
Fetch Wisconsin Rescue is a non-profit organization, 501(c)(3), that is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitation, and surrendering. Since April 2013, they have saved more than 3,500 dogs from all over the Midwest.
Their mission is to save unwanted, neglected, and abused animals, as well as provide shelter for surrendered dogs whose owners are unable to take care of them anymore. They make sure to get to know each dog, provide him with the best care possible, and find him the best forever home.
They aspire for the dogs to become confident and well-balanced and for their volunteers to be firm and assertive pack leaders. If you would like to become a volunteer or foster a dog, you can also do that through Fetch.
To adopt a dog, head to their website and start your journey by making an adoption application, this will help them learn a little bit more about you, your family, and your lifestyle, so they can find you a dog that perfectly matches all your needs.
Adoption Fee
All proceeds from adoption fees go to the care of dogs in the rescue.
• Puppies from 8 weeks to 12 months: $400
• Adult dogs from 13 months to 7 years old: $350
• Senior dogs from 8 years and older: $200
Rescue Information
Address: PO Box 930572, Verona, WI 53593
Phone: (608) 561-3827
Email: [email protected]
Website: Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
Facebook: Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
Instagram: Fetch Wisconsin Rescue
2. Wisconsin Humane Society
The Wisconsin Humane Society is an independent, non-profit organization that was founded in 1879 and has been saving animals for more than 140 years.
They have shelters in various counties of Wisconsin, as well as one clinic that specializes in spaying/neutering. The Wisconsin Humane Society is the largest shelter in the whole state and annually saves more than 40,000 animals.
Their core values include compassion, respect and kindness, a positive approach, innovation and forward-thinking, professionalism, and equity.
Besides adoption, they also have a foster program, a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a dog training program, a pet food bank, and youth programs for children, to teach respect, compassion, and animal care.
Adoption Fee
The Wisconsin Humane Society adoption fee for dogs goes from $75 to $449. Some of the higher fees are due to the support and care required for certain animals, as many of them need additional support for various medical and behavioral conditions.
Rescue Information
Address: 4500 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53208
Phone: (414) 264-6257
Email: [email protected]
Website: Wisconsin Humane Society
Facebook: Wisconsin Humane Society
Instagram: Wisconsin Humane Society
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3. Lakeland Animal Shelter
The Lakeland Animal Shelter is another one of the private, non-profit and self-funded organizations and cares for more than 3,000 animals annually. Their goal is to provide each dog with a new family and home.
They offer several services to help the community, such as:
• adoption and education services
• care for the animals in need
• surrendering services (must call and schedule an appointment beforehand)
• assistance to the local enforcement agencies
• investigation of animal cruelty
Adoption Fee
Since they rely solely on donations and private funds in order to be able to care for the animals, they have to charge a certain adoption fee.
Current adoption fees for the dogs in the Lakeland Animal Shelter range from $56.50 to $450, depending on the dog.
Rescue Information
Address: 3615 State Road 67, Delavan, WI 53115
Phone: (262) 723-1000
Email: [email protected]
Website: Lakeland Animal Shelter
Facebook: Lakeland Animal Shelter
Instagram: Lakeland Animal Shelter
4. Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue
Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue (an all breeds dog and cat rescue) was founded in 2005 by Allison Davies in order to stop the high number of high-kill shelters. Their focus is on helping animals and alleviating overcrowding in shelters.
Their all-time mission and desire is:
• to find forever homes for all animals that come in their shelter
• to support the community and educate people on responsible pet ownership
• to enable affordable spay/neuter services and care
In order to adopt a dog, you first need to submit an application form, which you can find on their website. The adoption also includes a rabies tag, a digital packet (adoption contract and medical records), and different kinds of information about the pet.
Adoption Fee
Depending on the breed and the age of the dog, the adoption fee can range between $240 and $600. Their adoption fees include spaying/neutering, microchipping, and up-to-date and age-appropriate vaccinations.
Rescue Information
Address: 1602 Blossom Lane, Madison, WI 53716
Phone: (608) 284-7447
Email: [email protected]
Website: Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue
Facebook: Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue
Instagram: Shelter From The Storm Animal Rescue
5. Furever Friends Sanctuary
Furever Friends Sanctuary, located in Kenosha county of Wisconsin, is a dog rescue with a mission to save the lives of dogs. They encourage rescuing, fostering, and adoption.
With the help of their passionate volunteers, they strive to provide the best possible quality care for rescue dogs until they are able to find them a loving home. No animal deserves the suffering and pain of abuse, neglect, starvation, and abandonment.
Everything that they do is simply for that reason and to provide a happy ending to a lot of poor animals. To see the list of adoptable dogs, please visit their website. You can contact them via email or phone if you have any questions.
Adoption Fee
All adoption fees include up-to-date and age-appropriate shots, microchips, and spaying or neutering. The adoption fees are as follows:
• puppies (up to one-year-old): $450–$650
• one to eight-year-old dogs: $375
• eight-year-old dogs or older: $250
Rescue Information
Address: Kenosha, WI
Phone: (262) 237-8066
Email: [email protected]
Website: Furever Friends Sanctuary
6. Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue
Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue is primarily a volunteer organization that welcomes dogs from all kinds of unfortunate situations and places them in foster homes while preparing them for the adoption process.
Since May 2010, they have found new homes for more than 14,500 animals. They strive to provide dogs with the highest possible quality care and find them perfect people that will give them their forever homes.
Additionally, they make sure to educate the public and community about responsible pet ownership, the importance of rescue, and their specific efforts. One person can make a huge difference in a dog’s life, and that is something they want people to learn.
You can find them on Facebook and Instagram, as well as read more about them and their available animals on their website.
Adoption Fee
Their adoption fees go back into funding the rescue and helping the dogs. They also take in injured and sick dogs that need special medical care, so the fees can be pretty high sometimes. All adoption fees are listed on their website under each dog’s profile.
Rescue Information
Address: 449 County Rd VV , Somerset, WI, United States, Wisconsin
Email: [email protected]
Website: Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue
Facebook: Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue
Instagram: Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue
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7. Neenah Animal Shelter
Neenah Animal Shelter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was opened in 1962 and ever since, has been helping different kinds of animals in different situations and with different conditions.
If the animal has nowhere to go, they will always try to find her a new home and a new life where she can be happy. In 2021, they had a 97% live release rate, and more than 400 animals were adopted.
Their mission is to help abandoned, neglected, surrendered, and hurt animals until they are able to find them a forever home. Additionally, they strive to improve and restore the bond between the animal and humans and will never euthanize any animal because of a lack of space or funding.
If you are interested in adopting their dogs, you must fill out an application form and be approved before being able to meet them in person. Read their “how to adopt” instructions on their website for more information.
Adoption Fee
All their dogs are microchipped, spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and tested for heartworms.
The adoption fee is:
• for dogs of 6 months and under: $400
• for dogs of 6 months to 6 years: $250
• for 7+ year-old dogs: $100
Rescue Information
Address: 951 County Road G Neenah, WI 54956
Phone: (920) 722-9544
Email: [email protected]
Website: Neenah Animal Shelter
Facebook: Neenah Animal Shelter
Instagram: Neenah Animal Shelter
8. Driftless Humane Society
The Driftless Humane Society is a no-kill dog and cat shelter that accepts all surrendered dogs and cats in need, regardless of their health situation, age, or behavior.
They are located in Viroqua, Wisconsin, and are dedicated to finding new forever homes for all healthy animals and those with treatable medical or behavioral issues. They work closely with veterinarians, who provide the best possible medical care for all of the animals.
Their job is to provide the shelter, food, and care that the animals deserve. If you would like to help and support the work of Driftless Humane Society, you can find a monthly wish list of things that they need on their website. Donations are also more than welcome.
You can also come and visit the animals during working hours:
• Monday and Wednesday: 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
• Tuesday and Thursday: by appointment
• Saturday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Adoption Fee
• puppies from 8 weeks to 1-year-old: $300
• dogs from 1 year old to 7 years: $200
• 7+ years old dogs: $100
There is also a $50 alteration deposit, meaning that if the pets are less than six months old and unaltered at the time of adoption, it is the responsibility of the adopter to take care of alteration (spaying/neutering).
Upon receiving the proof of alteration, the deposit will be returned.
Rescue Information
Address: 1150 Nelson Parkway, Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-6955
Email: [email protected]
Website: Driftless Humane Society
Facebook: Driftless Humane Society
Instagram: Driftless Humane Society
9. Underdog Pet Rescue
The Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin was founded in 2012 by Lauren Brinkman after she had been volunteering for ten years for different humane organizations across Wisconsin. She formed a rescue and a vet clinic that cares for homeless animals and animals in need.
It is an animal rescue that is available for all all dog breeds and whose main goal is to help animals in need, try to make their life a happier place and fix their broken relationship with humans.
Under her leadership, the organization has saved thousands of animals with the help of more than 150 foster homes, who work with them and provide support before and after the adoption process.
If you are looking for a new family member, check out the current list of available animals on their website. Apply for the dog that you want. If your application is approved, they will arrange a meet and greet, and if everything is alright, you will be ready for adoption.
Adoption Fee
• Puppies under 5 months: $375
• Adult dogs: $300
• Senior dogs (8+ years): $250
The dogs come with all needed medical care, such as microchips, deworming, spay/neuter, flea treatment, and up-to-date vaccinations.
Rescue Information
Address: 231 S Fair Oaks Ave, Madison, WI 53704, United States
Phone: (608) 224-0018
Email: [email protected]
Website: Underdog Pet Rescue
Facebook: Underdog Pet Rescue
Instagram: Underdog Pet Rescue
10. Lucky Mutts Rescue
Lucky Mutts Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-based dog rescue that has been saving animals since 2015. They specifically focus on animal welfare and dogs that are about to be euthanized because of overpopulation, high-kill shelters, abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
All of the dogs in the rescue receive full medical care, any treatments that they might need, spaying/neutering, microchip, and vaccinations. The dogs have the opportunity to socialize and build their confidence again in trusted foster homes while waiting to be officially adopted.
They have a comprehensive approval and adoption process and make sure to carefully screen every potential owner. Additionally, they educate people on dogs’ needs, what they should expect when adopting a dog, and what some of the requirements are.
If you are interested in adopting from Lucky Mutts Rescue, please fill out the adoption application, which you can find on their website under the adopt tab.
Adoption Fee
Their adoption fee ranges from $200 to $400 depending on the dog. They accept various forms of payment, either by cash, checks, credit cards, or even PayPal.
Rescue Information
Address: 9225 Beloit Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53227, United States
Email: [email protected]
Website: Lucky Mutts Rescue
Facebook: Lucky Mutts Rescue
Instagram: Lucky Mutts Rescue
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11. Diamond Dogs Rescue
Diamond Dogs Rescue, located in Madison, Wisconsin, is a non-profit organization, founded in 2017, that has been helping dogs in need ever since.
They are a completely foster-based rescue, which means that they do not have a physical shelter, but all of their dogs are placed in foster homes that care for the dogs while they are trying to rehome them.
They state that their mission consists of four equally important pillars, which are:
• to save dog’s lives
• to provide dogs with the opportunity to find loving, forever homes
• to be guided by compassion and care
• to always maintain the highest ethical standards in their work.
Their adoption process is basically a five-step plan that consists of finding a dog to adopt from their adoptable dogs, filling out the application, waiting for their call, having a home visit and chat, and finally, meeting the dog.
If you have further questions, check out their website (FAQ tab) or give them a call.
Adoption Fee
Each dog has a carefully determined adoption fee based on his characteristics (age, health status…), which you can find under the individual profiles.
Rescue Information
Address: Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 352-9141
Email: [email protected]
Website: Diamond Dogs Rescue
Facebook: Diamond Dogs Rescue
12. Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary is an animal rescue located in Green Bay, Wisconsin area. Their mission is to provide a lifetime guaranteed loving home for every animal that enters their shelter.
Their motto is “a world where the life of every companion animal matters… every single one”, and this is exactly what guides them in their work. They aspire to change lives while at the same time, trying to improve and grow even more.
There are five equally important parts of their animal rescue and these are adoption, education, spay/neuter, rehabilitation, and sanctuary.
Some animals even get to stay with them forever as a true part of the family, which makes them really happy that they are able to do that.
If you are interested in adopting one of their dogs, check out their website, where you can find a detailed explanation of how their adoption process works.
Adoption Fee
The adoption fee for all puppies and dogs is $350. Fortunately, their dogs find new homes rather quickly, so if you are interested, apply as soon as possible in order to get your desired pup.
Rescue Information
Address: 2255 Fox Heights Lane, Green Bay, WI, United States, Wisconsin
Phone: (920) 634-9701
Email: [email protected]
Website: Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
Facebook: Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
Instagram: Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
13. Tiny Paws Rescue
Tiny Paws Rescue is a small-breed dog rescue that is completely volunteer foster-based. They are dedicated to helping the small dogs in need in their area who would otherwise end up in a high-kill shelter.
Dogs that arrive in their care receive all the necessary medical care (including spaying and neutering), and are then placed in foster homes where they wait to be adopted. The organization relies solely on donations and fundraising support, so if you are able to help, please do.
Besides adoption and foster care, they also offer multiple other programs, such as forever foster homes to senior dogs with terminal illnesses or disabilities and care for terminally ill shelter dogs that do not have much longer left to live.
If you are interested, you can check out their Facebook page for adoptable tiny paws dogs (pictures and bios included), fill out an application, or contact them if you have any further inquiries.
Adoption Fee
The adoption fee includes vaccination, heartworm test, microchip, and spaying/neutering:
• for puppies under one-year-old: $550
• for dogs from one to eleven years old: $450
• for dogs 11+ years old: $350
Rescue Information
Address: Union Grove, WI 53182
Phone: (262) 496-9324
Email: [email protected]
Website: Tiny Paws Rescue
Facebook: Tiny Paws Rescue
Instagram: Tiny Paws Rescue
14. Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue
Bichon & Little Buddies rescue was founded in 2000 as an organization to save Bichon Frise dogs, however, soon, they saw the need for saving other small dogs too, and they decided to expand to other dog breeds such as Chihuahuas, Poodles, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, and many others.
It is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), dog shelter located in Mukwonago, southwest of Milwaukee. The dogs come from various situations, for example, some are surrendered, some are saved from puppy mills, and on the other hand, some are unclaimed strays.
They believe that every dog deserves to have a forever-loving home and for that reason, they do everything in their power to make this happen. For the latest updates, check out their Facebook page, or if you have any further questions, contact them via email.
RELATED: Best Bichon Frise Rescues For Adoption: Top 10 Places To Adopt
Adoption Fee
The Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue adoption fee is between $200 and $500, depending on the age of the dog. The price includes Wi State Sales Tax, spaying/neutering, up-to-date vaccinations, a microchip, and deworming.
If you would like to take an eight-week obedience training class, which can assist you and your new family member to adapt to a new life together, the price of the program is $75. You can opt for Puppy Kindergarten, Adult Beginners, or Small Dogs Big Hearts classes.
Rescue Information
Address: 828 Perkins Dr, Suite 200, Mukwonago, Waukesha County, WI 53149
Email: [email protected]
Website: Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue
Facebook: Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue
Instagram: Bichon & Little Buddies Rescue
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FAQ
1. What Is The Average Cost Of Adoption?
The average cost of adoption in Wisconsin varies from $50 to $500. The higher fees are usually for those dogs that need more care and who stay a longer period of time in the rescue.
2. How Many Animal Shelters Are In Wisconsin?
According to the 2020 report released by Best Friends Animal Society (a national welfare organization), there are 75 shelters in Wisconsin state, with 55 of them being no-kill shelters.
Furthermore, Wisconsin was ranked 17th on the list for saving pets, with more than 56,000 dogs and cats saved that year.
3. What Is The Best Website To Adopt A Dog From?
Besides the rescues that we have mentioned above, there are several online websites where you can also adopt a dog. This is an easy and secure way of finding your furry friend if your local shelters do not have what you are looking for.
Let’s mention some of them:
• PetFinder—an online database of pets for adoption and a directory of 11,000 shelters and rescues all across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
• Adopt a Pet—one of the largest adopting sites across North America and Canada. It is a non-profit organization that allows you to easily find pets to adopt.
• ASPCA—The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the largest humane society in the USA, their mission is to stop animal cruelty, but they also serve as a good adoption place.
• AKC Rescue Network—if you want to find a specific breed, this is the place to be because it allows you to search the rescues all across the country for a specific breed.
4. What Are The Benefits Of Adopting A Dog?
Adopting a dog has many benefits. First and foremost, you are saving a life and providing one more dog with the happy life he deserves.
Additionally, you will be saving some money, helping eradicate puppy mills and pet shops, supporting spaying and neutering, finding a wonderful companion for yourself and the family, and receiving unconditional love.
Final Thoughts
Adopting a dog is a truly good deed. There are so many dogs and other pets in the shelters all across the United States that are just waiting for someone to come and take them.
A dog is supposed to be a man’s best friend, and it is so sad that so many of them are spending their lives in the confined spaces of shelters when they could be living their best lives at home and making whole families happy.
If you have decided to adopt and not shop, we hope that our list of the best dog rescues in Wisconsin has helped you to find a perfect rescue or the shelter where your next furry friend is waiting for you.
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