Help MADACC "Empty the Shelter!" Adoption fees waived the first weekend in October

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC), Wisconsin’s largest open-admission animal shelter has announced that adoption fees for all dogs and cats will be waived the weekend of October 4th through 5th during MADACC’s first "Empty the Shelter" Adoption Weekend.

MADACC, which faces constant capacity challenges during the warmer months, is asking the community to help find homes for every adoptable dog and cat that was not reclaimed by their family and is now available for adoption during the two-day special event in an effort to create space for the more than 1,200 lost, unwanted and abandoned dogs expected to enter the shelter’s care throughout the month of October.

“Our goal this weekend is to find wonderful homes for each and every healthy, adoptable dog and cat in our facility,” said Karen Sparapani, executive director for MADACC. “If you have been thinking about adding a feline or canine companion to your home, now is the time! Not only will your adoption fee be waived, but you will find a new best friend and save a life.”

MADACC is able to hold this event after receiving a $15,000 grant from the ASPCA specifically to be used for an impactful adoption event. These funds will be used to sterilize, vaccinate and microchip around 150 animals so that they will be able to go home the day they are adopted into new families.

“When you adopt a companion from our facility, you’re saving a life and taking home a dog or cat that has already received all the basic veterinary services completed,” Sparapani continued. “It is so important to our community to have as many animals as possible spayed and neutered, and up to date on important vaccines that prevent parvovirus, distemper and rabies as well as having a microchip to ensure that if your animal is ever lost, we can quickly reunite your animal with you. Choosing to adopt a shelter animal is not only beneficial for the new pet parent or family, it also helps fight pet overpopulation in our community and, in turn, helps save more lives.”

More than 120 cats and 30 dogs will be available for adoption at MADACC’s two day adoption event. There will be kittens, cats and dogs from 5 months old and up available for potential adopters to choose from. Waived adoption fees include spay/neuter surgery, microchip, and up-to-date vaccines. A $12 license fee will apply for all Milwaukee County residents. Adopters must complete in-person adoption counseling.

In order to expedite the process and cut down on wait times, MADACC is encouraging interested adopters to complete a free and non-binding adoption application for preapproval ahead of the event. You can find the adoption application and more information on their website at www.madacc.org or call 414-649-8640.

MADACC currently rescues and assures safe, temporary shelter, veterinary and humane care for nearly 13,000 stray, unwanted, abandoned, mistreated and injured animals each year — more than any other animal control shelter in Wisconsin. MADACC provides a central location for owners to find and recover their lost pets at 3839 W. Burnham St. in West Milwaukee and is open seven days a week, including evening hours on weekdays.

MADACC rescues strays and removes dangerous animals from public areas providing effective animal control services by active enforcement of Wisconsin State Statues pertaining to animal welfare. For more information call (414)649-8640 or visit the MADACC website at www.madacc.org. MADACC is open to the public 7 days a week.