"The best way to get an animal:" More than 100 find "furever homes" as MADACC "Empties the Shelter"



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- MADACC -- the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Center held an "Empty the Shelter" event this weekend, and more than 100 animals found "furever" homes!

MADACC, which faces constant capacity challenges during the warmer months, asked the community to help find homes for every adoptable dog and cat that was not reclaimed by their family and was 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.

MADACC was able to hold the event after receiving a $15,000 grant from the ASPCA specifically to be used for an impactful adoption event. These funds were used to sterilize, vaccinate and microchip around 150 animals for the event.

Debbie and Neil Hansing adopted a cat during the two-day event.

"He's got an upper respiratory infection. That don`t bother us," Debbie Hansing said.

Armed with medication, Debbie and Neil Hansing were ready to nurse their new best friend back to health.

"Make sure it has a loving home and companion. We just lost our other cat so I wanted to get another to replace it," Debbie Hansing said.

Filling their void and helping to empty the shelter, Debbie and Neil Hansing left the shelter this weekend with little Julius.

"Give them love, is what they need. Just makes me glad that another animal is not going be destroyed or on the streets," Debbie Hansing said.

More than 120 cats and 30 dogs were available for adoption at MADACC’s two-day adoption event -- including kittens, cats and dogs from five months old and up.

Waived adoption fees included spay/neuter surgery, microchipping and vaccinations. A $12 license fee applied for all Milwaukee County residents. Adopters had to complete in-person adoption counseling.

"We waived all the fees for the available animals that we have available right now. We get 13,000 animals a year. We can have anything from 10-20 cats and dogs come in every day," Kathy Shillinglaw with MADACC said.

Pam Saari went home with a cat from MADACC this weekend.

"I feel better. There's so many animals out there that need homes. It's the best way to get an animal," Saari said.

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.

CLICK HERE for more information on MADACC, and to view animals available for adoption.

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