SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano County Humane Society was one of several shelters across Wisconsin that stepped in to help after nearly 400 animals were rescued from a property in Juneau County last week.
According to the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office, deputies found 393 animals on a property in Plymouth Township, including dogs, goats, horses, chickens, and rabbits. The animals were voluntarily surrendered, and multiple rescues and humane societies were called in to help provide care and shelter.
Shawano County Humane Society Executive Director Pam Nowak says her team didn’t hesitate to help, even though the operation was hours away.
“It was a big endeavor for the fact that we’re two and a half hours away,” Nowak said. “Finding a volunteer to drive there, coordinating everything, and figuring out how many animals we could take, we’re a small shelter, but we moved things around and made it work.”
Nowak says Shawano County took in four dogs from the property, and all four have already been adopted.
“Three of them were gone within a day,” she said. “One volunteer even adopted hers that same night. The fourth will be adopted after she’s spayed. These situations really pull on people’s heartstrings.”
She added that large-scale rescues like this one show how crucial teamwork and collaboration are among animal shelters and rescues across the state.
“It’s the community stepping in, all kinds of people offering to help, that makes things so much easier,” Nowak said.
In all, 126 rabbits, 35 goats, 5 horses, 136 chickens, 10 puppies and 81 dogs were removed from the property. Two individuals were arrested and booked on numerous animal neglect charges.
The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office says the case remains under investigation. In total, 11 rescue organizations helped coordinate the transfer and care of the animals, including the Shawano County Humane Society, Brown Paws Rescue, Copper Paws and Rescue, and others.
Comments