Federation Resources

Press Release: WFHS members help rescue 200 dogs from Cazenovia ranch
For Immediate Release: Appleton, Wis., June 1, 2009

Vans loaded with empty animal carriers and crates began to line up at the security checkpoint on the grounds of Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) early Sunday morning. The mission? To move two hundred dogs from temporary quarters at DCHS to humane societies and animal shelters throughout Wisconsin.

The dogs came to the Madison's animal shelter on May 19 and 20 after a search warrant was served on a property in Cazenovia, Wisconsin owned by Jennifer Petkus. Under the direction of the Richland County Sheriff's Department, over three hundred dogs were seized and taken to Dane County Humane Society.

Working in partnership with Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies and national humane organizations, Dane County Humane Society processed each animal through an intake procedure. Assisting in the efforts was the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the American Humane Association (AHA).

A Veterinarian saw each animal as they arrived at the tent city erected on the property of the Madison shelter.  Animals were given initial treatment for a multitude of physical problems.

Tawana Hanamann, a staff member at Fox Valley Humane Association in Appleton, volunteered for three days on the site. She said, "I never saw so many rotten teeth, eye and ear infections and matted coats in all my life. The condition of some of these dogs was absolutely appalling. It's just criminal to allow animals to get to this point."

Dr. Rick Lord, the staff Veterinarian for Sheboygan County Humane Society was one of many state shelter employees and Veterinarians who arrived on the scene to help. "In my years of practice I've seen some pretty bad things, but I've never seen so many dogs in one place in such bad shape. Many of them were really suffering."

Dane County Humane Society shouldered the responsibly for the dogs as the initial court documents were filed. On Friday, May 29, 2009, Petkus signed over approximately two hundred of the dogs to the shelter.

This action allowed Dane County Humane Society to begin to move the dogs to other facilities.  Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies (WFHS), a statewide association for animal shelters in Wisconsin, stepped in to help.

"The Federated was established in 1927, " said Debby Lewis, WFHS President. "We've handled some large cases in our history, but never anything like this. We knew it was going to be a challenge but we also knew we could manage it."

And manage it they did.

Fourteen Wisconsin animal shelters took in the two hundred homeless dogs on May 31, 2009. Assisting in the transportation were members of the all-volunteer Badger Animal Rescue Transportation Services (BRATS).

Lon Stetler, founding member of BRATS, said, "I served in Viet Nam in 1968. The scene when I arrived at Dane County Humane Society reminded me of a military MASH unit. Everybody had a job to do and they were all doing it...and well."

One by one, the vans pulled in and were loaded by volunteers and members of the Emergency Animal Relief Services (EARS). The dogs were made comfortable in crates and kennels lined with blankets to prepare them for their trip to their destination shelter.

In just six and a half hours, all two hundred dogs were on their way to a new life.

The following Wisconsin animal shelters participated in the rescue mission:

Adams-Friendship – Adams County Humane Society – www.AdamsCountyHumaneSociety.org
Appleton – Fox Valley Humane Association – www.FoxValleyPets.org
Eau Claire – Eau Claire County Humane Association – www.ECCHA.org
Green Lake – Green Lake Area Animal Shelter – www.GreenLakeAreaAnimalShelter.com
Juneau – Dodge County Humane Society – www.DodgeCountyHumaneScoiety.org
La Crosse – Coulee Region Humane Society – www.CouleeHumane.org
Madison – Dane County Humane Society - www.giveshelter.org
Menomonie – Dunn County Humane Society - www.DunnCountyHumaneSociety.org
Neillsville – Clark County Humane Society - www.cchs-petshelter.org
Oshkosh – Oshkosh Area Humane Society – www.OAHS.org
Sheboygan – Sheboygan County Humane Society – www.MySCHS.com
Slinger – Washington County Humane Society – www.WashingtonCountyHumane.org
Waukesha – Humane Animal Welfare Society – www.HAWSpets.org
Waupaca – Humane Society of Waupaca County – www.WaupacaHumane.org  

Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies has started an emergency fund to help shelters cover some of the costs for on-going treatment the dogs need prior to adoption. Donations should be made directly to the participating shelters or to:

Animal Care Emergency Fund
c/o WFHS
N115 Two Mile Road
Appleton, WI   54914

Over seventy dogs will remain at Dane County Humane Society. Some are being held as part of the on-going case against Petkus that may include felony animal abuse charges. 

But for the two hundred dogs that left Madison to get a fresh start, Sunday was a very good day.

Contacts:

Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies
Deb Lewis – President
N115 Two Mile Road
Appleton, WI   54914
Phone 920-733-1717 Ext 101
E-mail:   deb.lewis@foxvalleypets.org  

Dane County Humane Society
Pam McCloud-Smith – Executive Director
5132 Voges Road
Madison, WI 53718
Phone 608-838-0413 Ext 111
E-mail:   director@giveshelter.org

Dear Friends and Members of Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies, 2008 was an exciting year but it pales in comparison to what your Federation has planned for 2009! It’s shaping up to be an incredible year and we wanted to make sure that all of our friends and fellow animal advocates are involved in the plans. April 30th is our  Caregivers Seminar in Wausau. Remember this is FREE to all WFHS members! Our registration brochure (PDF) is now available. Contact Dawn King at gusking@charter.net for more details on the seminar.   October 7-9 is our annual three day Badger States Conference in Waukesha hosted by Melanie Sobel and Lynn Olenick. See our registration form (PDF) or contact Melanie at msobel@madacc.com and Lynn at lynn@hawspets.org for more details. Your Federation promises another FABULOUS conference filled with dynamic national and local speakers and current hot topics.   Want to stay in touch between conferences. Well we have the answer. Email us at lshinkan@foxvalleypets.org and we’ll add you to the newsletter and email alert list.   WFHS members can join our Shelter Support group hosted by Chuck Wegner where we provide support and problem solving skills to shelters in need. Our current group meets quarterly around the northern portion of the state. You can contact Chuck at petshelter@email.com   Keep up to date on the work of our legislative liaison Eilene Ribbens working tirelessly to enact puppy-mill legislation in our state by visiting www.NoWisconsinPuppyMills.com   These are just a few of the things that are going on during 2009. Make sure you watch our site to keep up to date and in the loop. The WFHS is always looking for new and energized board members. If you think you just might be that person you can fill out an application found on our board of directors page. But to participate in any of these things you need to be a member so to get started fill out a membership form found on the federations resources page and join a group of passionate hardworking animal advocates who are making a difference each day one animal at a time!

Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies, Inc. provides education, training, information, support and networking opportunities for organizations, agencies and individuals dedicated to promoting and advancing humane care, treatment and respect of all animals.