What it does
Our mission is to foster compassionate human and animal connections; forge safe, healthy, and thriving communities for animals; provide care and transitional sheltering to animals; provide leadership and guidance to the animal sheltering community and the public.
Dchs's animal services include open-admission animal intake, customer service, daily care, and behavioral support of animals, medical treatment, spay/neuter and other surgical services, humane euthanasia, and participation in the sheltering animals of abuse victims (saav) program. In addition, dchs worked with madison and dane county animal services to ensure it properly fulfills the services outlined in its contracts with these municipalities. In 2025, medical staff and volunteer veterinarians performed 3,998 surgeries.
Dchs's wildlife center is a specialized program that aims to promote the health and welfare of wildlife through rehabilitation, professional training, and public education. Licensed rehabilitators care for sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals found in southern wisconsin year-round. In 2025, dchs staff and volunteers helped 3,158 wild animals of 154 different species, including songbirds, mammals, raptors, waterfowl, reptiles, and amphibians.
Dchs's adoption and reception services include customer service and animal adoptions at dchs's main location and dchs's thrift stores. The main adoption center also offers pet supplies and various dchs branded merchandise for sale to individuals adopting animals as well as to other patrons. In 2025, 3,302 animals were adopted. Dchs's 2025 animal save rate was 91%.
Leadership
Pamela Mccloud SmithExecutive Director
Douglas BrownAssistant Executive Director
Amy GoodDirector of Development & Marketing
Uri DonnettLead Shelter Veterinarian
Sara HovenController & Building Director