Wisconsin Humane Society, Safe Harbor merger announced

Officials at the Wisconsin Humane Society and Kenosha’s Safe Harbor Humane Society, announced a merger involving the two organizations.

MILWAUKEE - The Wisconsin Humane Society is making its paw print a lot bigger in southeastern Wisconsin. The organization on Wednesday, May 3 announced it is expanding to Kenosha.

What started out as sending resources to Kenosha's Safe Harbor Humane Society a few times a week turned into a full-on acquisition. Safe Harbor found itself in financial trouble in recent months, and the move will continue support for animals, families and staff.

"I’m so appreciative of the support that they’ve provided us," said Amanda Cutler, Safe Harbor's executive director.

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Cutler has worked at Safe Harbor for more than 11 years.

"We realized that we were really in a financial space that we weren’t going to get out of," she said.

Safe Harbor Humane Society (Courtesy: WHS)

Now, Cutler will work for the Wisconsin Humane Society. The merger expands the organization's number of statewide campuses to six.

"This is our fifth acquisition in the last 20 years. This partnership ensures that vital resources and services for Kenosha’s animals and the people who love them will continue without interruption," said Alison Fotsch Kleibor, Wisconsin Humane Society president and CEO.

The Wisconsin Humane Society said its veterinarians will allow the Kenosha campus to find new homes for animals faster.

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"We haven’t had a vet on staff for over a year," said Cutler. "When an animal comes in and they have to wait two weeks to be spayed and neutered, that animal has to sit in the shelter for two weeks unwarranted. Whereas if they’re able to get spayed and neutered the day they become available, they can go home right away."

Safe Harbor's staff will reap the benefits, too.

"Aside from the fact that they’ll actually have health benefits and things that we’ve wanted to offer for years that we haven’t been in a financial position to do so, they will also have the support of true shelter processes," said Cutler.

Wisconsin Humane Society expanding, Kenosha merger announced

Officials at the Wisconsin Humane Society and Kenosha’s Safe Harbor Humane Society, announced a merger involving the two organizations.

It is another place where you can volunteer, foster animals or even adopt. If you are unable to do those things, donations go a long way.

"Our organization would not function without the support and contributions from our community," said Fotsch Kleibor.

Officials said there are currently around 120 animals at Safe Harbor. The merging of the two shelters should be complete by June 1.