Remember when deer and coyotes outnumbered Dodges and Chevys in Waukesha County?

So much has changed throughout Waukesha County, it’s no surprise that animal populations have changed right along with the rest. Where once dogs were the predominant species in our care, HAWS today serves more cats. And, with small animals becoming more common as pets, almost 10% of HAWS residents are birds, reptiles, rabbits and rodents.

Our facility is operating today at maximum physical capacity for animal care, public education and customer services. To better serve the animal and human residents of Waukesha County and to keep up with the changing times, we need to expand and reconfigure our current shelter building.

Since we're utilizing practically every square foot of our existing space, we’re also looking to expand to better meet today’s animal care standards. Our plan will expand our capacity by adding on to our building, and redesigning the existing structure will allow us to more safely care for each animal's needs.



Why Expand Now?

On the heels of receiving the largest single-contribution in our 42-year history (JS Online, 8/11/07) we feel it is the best time to go forward with plans to expand our shelter building. In July, HAWS announced receipt of a gift from the Lester R. and Marie J. Howitt Winzenried estate. In 2002, HAWS was the beneficiary of an estate gift from the late David and Kathleen Merkel. These 2 gifts, plus continued fiscal responsibility by the HAWS Board of Directors, make this the opportune time to grow.

Facility expansion plans reflect the changes in the county, along with animal shelter management advances, since our last major renovation in 1992. The construction plan, approved by the HAWS Board of Directors in early 2006, calls for the addition of 5,400 square feet in new space along with the reconfiguration of the existing 13,500 square foot facility.

Animal care standards have changed a great deal over the last 15 years, including advances in veterinary medicine to improve quality of care for sheltered animals. So, our plans include separate housing areas that will limit interaction between species. Plans also call for improvements in our ventilation to reduce the chances of disease transmission. The bottom line: a healthy, stress-free pet has a greater chance of being adopted into the right family.

HAWS is also about education. We present a variety of courses and outreach offerings each year to help our clients and the general public better understand the impact that animals have in our lives. An educated adopter can make a better informed pet choice and be better prepared to adjust to life with their new family member. And, with classes and other resources available to them, the adopter can be assured of a life-long, quality relationship with their companion animal.

While we are making interim improvements to ensure basic maintenance, our goal is for major construction to begin Spring/Summer 2008, lasting approximately one year. Watch us grow!