Ready to adopt a new fur baby into your home? We can help you find the safest and best places to adopt a pet in Milwaukee, WI.
If you are considering adopting a pet and live in Milwaukee, there are various animal shelters with dogs, cats, and other small animals in need of a loving home. Before you begin the adoption process, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with the typical steps involved and the adoption fees required.
Additionally, you may want to research the different shelters in your area to learn more about their specific policies and procedures. Adopting a pet from a shelter is a wonderful way to give an animal a second chance and provide them with a loving home. So let's get your adoption journey started today.
What Do You Need to Adopt a Pet in Milwaukee?
To adopt a pet from an animal shelter or rescue in Milwaukee, you will need to meet certain requirements. Every shelter is different, but this can include things like providing proof of identification, filling out an adoption application, answering a questionnaire, and possibly undergoing a home visit.
Since the requirements will vary from one shelter to another, it's important to check with the specific shelter you are interested in. Here are the typical requirements for you to adopt a pet from most animal shelters and rescues.
- Age minimum to adopt
To adopt a pet from a shelter, you must meet the age requirement set by the specific shelter. This may vary, but you will typically need to be 18 years or older. However, some shelters may require you to be 21 or even 25 years or older. You will also need to present a valid ID when adopting.
- Fill out the online application
Before beginning the adoption process, you will typically need to fill out an online application on the animal shelter's website. This application will ask for your contact information and may also inquire about your home situation, experience with pets, pet-parenting style, and the size of your home and yard. This information is used to ensure that you are ready to care for a pet and help ensure the animal's safety and well-being.
- Cost of adoption fees
There is a cost to adopt a pet from a shelter. This fee covers the expenses associated with housing, feeding, and caring for the animal, including staffing, insurance, mortgage, utilities, and medical care. The fee you pay may seem high, but it is significantly less than the actual cost of caring for the animal until it is adopted. Non-profit shelters and rescues often rely on volunteers and donors to help cover these costs.
- Have a "meet and greet"
Before you can adopt a pet, you may be required to participate in a "meet and greet" with the animal. This allows you to interact with the pet and see how you get along. It is also helpful to bring any family members or current pets you have to the meet and greet.
- Home visit
In some cases, the shelter or rescue may also require a home visit to ensure that your home is suitable for a pet. This step helps to prevent any pet returns to the shelter in the future.
Cost to Adopt a Pet from an Animal Shelter
The fees for adopting a pet from a shelter in Milwaukee, WI, may include the cost of spaying or neutering the animal and any necessary medical treatments and microchipping. Some shelters offer reduced fees for certain groups, such as senior citizens or military personnel, and may also have discounted prices for senior pets, pets who have been at the shelter for an extended period, or for adopting multiple pets at once.
The adoption fees at Milwaukee animal shelters can vary, so it is important to check with the specific shelter you are interested in to get the most accurate pricing information. Keep in mind that it is always a good idea to inquire about adoption fees before falling in love with a particular pet.
Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC)
Puppies and adult dogs
- All dogs: $75 - $500
Kittens and adult cats
- Adult cats (4 years and older): $25
- Adult cats (1 year to 3 years): $50
- Kittens (6 months - 11 months): $75
- Kittens (2 months - 5 months): $125
- Specialty and purebred cats: $125 - $300
Lakeland Animal Shelter
Puppies and adult dogs
- All dogs: $56.50 - $450
Kittens and adult cats
- Kittens (0-12 months): $75
- Kittens (1-7 years): $50
- Adult cats (8 years and over): $25
Fetch Wisconsin
Puppies and adult dogs
- Pups (8 weeks - 12 months): $400.00
- Adults (13 months - 7 years old): $350.00
- Seniors (8 years and older): $200.00
Where is the Best Place to Adopt a Pet in Milwaukee, WI?
There are several places in Milwaukee where you can adopt a pet from an animal shelter. You'll find humane societies, government-funded organizations, animal shelters, and animal rescues. Below are some of the most popular, reputable places to adopt a pet in Milwaukee, WI. No matter which place you choose, there are tons of loving dogs, cats, and more who are ready for their new forever home.
Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS)
The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is a non-profit animal welfare organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The organization operates a variety of programs and services, including animal shelters, spay and neuter clinics, and wildlife rehabilitation centers.
The WHS provides care and housing for a wide range of pets, including cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, and more. In addition to adoption services, the WHS also offers a range of programs and resources to help people care for their pets, including training classes, behavior resources, and community outreach programs.
Milwaukee Pets Alive
Milwaukee Pets Alive focuses on rescuing animals that have been passed over by other shelters and deemed unadoptable. Their specialty is giving these animals the extra time and care they need, including those with special medical or behavioral needs. This organization stands out for its commitment to a no-kill philosophy, ensuring that every pet has a chance at life regardless of its circumstances.
The uniqueness of Milwaukee Pets Alive also shines through their approach to rescue, which involves pulling animals from traditional shelters and placing them into foster care. This method allows each pet to receive individualized attention and increases their chances of finding a permanent home. To support their mission or to see animals available for adoption, visit their website or connect with them on social media.Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC)
The Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) is a government agency that operates a public animal shelter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The organization is responsible for providing care and housing for stray and abandoned animals, as well as enforcing local animal control laws.
MADACC works with a variety of local animal rescue groups and organizations to help find homes for as many animals as possible. In addition to adoption services, MADACC also offers additional resources and programs to help pet parents care for their pets.
Lakeland Animal Shelter
The Lakeland Animal Shelter is a non-profit animal welfare organization based in Delavan, Wisconsin. The organization operates a small animal shelter providing care and housing for cats and dogs.
The Lakeland Animal Shelter takes in animals without any restrictions based on health, temperament, or age. Because of that, they will have 40-60 dogs and 150-400 cats in their care at any given time. In addition to adoption services, the Lakeland Animal Shelter also offers animal rescue assistance to law enforcement, educational services for pet parents about humane animal care, as well as providing animal cruelty and neglect investigation services.
Rescue Gang
Rescue Gang is a non-profit animal rescue organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The organization is dedicated to saving the lives of animals in need, and they work to find loving homes for each animal in their care. Rescue Gang takes in animals from high-kill shelters, owner surrenders, and stray animals, and they provide care and housing through foster homes.
They are a no-kill shelter and have very strict policies on only taking "owner surrendered" pets in emergency situations to help avoid shelter overpopulation.
Fetch Wisconsin
Fetch Wisconsin is a non-profit animal rescue organization "dedicated to the rescue & rehabilitation of unwanted, neglected, and abused dogs found in shelters across the Midwest, as well as dogs surrendered by local owners unable to care for them." They are committed to saving the lives of animals in need, and they work to find loving homes for each of the animals in their care.
Fetch Wisconsin takes in animals from high-kill shelters, owner surrenders, and stray animals, and they provide care and housing until they find the perfect match of a new, loving home for each and every pet.
PetFinder.com & Adopt-a-Pet.com
In addition to these shelters, you can also find pets for adoption through online resources such as Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet.com. You can view pictures of cats, dogs, and other small pets from numerous animal shelters and rescues nearby. And you can filter through the available pets to find what you're looking for based on species, gender, breed, size, age, and whether or not they are good with children and other pets.
Adopt a Pet in Milwaukee, WI, today!
Now that you've seen just how many places there are to adopt a pet in Milwaukee and you know the potential fees and requirements for adoption, it's time to start the search for your new fur baby!
At Local Pet Care, we're here to help you not only find the best places to adopt but also the best dog-friendly restaurants and the best dog parks in Milwaukee. Plus, we'll help you find the best local pet care professionals right near your home. With all of these resources, you will be set up for pet-parenting success!
For more great articles about dog-friendly activities and pet-parenting advice, check out the Blog at LocalPetCare.com.
