The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer
Established in 1965, HAWS assists over 6,000 animals and welcomes more than 31,000 human visitors annually. As an "open admissions" shelter we lead the community in animal welfare and assure sanctuary for all animals in need, regardless of age, health or temperament. HAWS is a non-profit, entirely donor-fund organization with an active humane education program, and both wildlife and companion animal rescue services for Waukesha County.
HAWS License #267280-DS
The Impact of Success
This summer, we’re turning over the HAWS blog to our writing intern, Meg, a student at UWM. We hope you enjoy her insights as she discovers “all things HAWS.”
As I sat at the HAWS’ front desk during the first day of my internship, I began to wonder what it must be like for the employees and volunteers at HAWS to hear success stories. I couldn’t imagine the sense of accomplishment they must feel when they hear these stories that they helped make possible.
While observing the activities going on throughout the day at HAWS, I soon discovered that every worker and volunteer at this organization is essential. Without these devoted people, the shelter would not be the same, and the many success stories would not exist.
Midway through my thoughts of HAWS’ amazing cause, I overheard a recent dog adopter say, “I can see her confidence building every day.” The adoption counselor immediately responded to the man with a proud smile. I knew at that moment the counselor felt the sense of accomplishment that I had been imagining. My heart was warmed at seeing the happy adopter standing next to his new furry family member.
After my first day at HAWS I knew how lucky I was to have the opportunity to intern for this wonderful cause. I realized not only was I lucky to have the opportunity to make an impact on this cause, but also I was lucky to have the opportunity for HAWS to make an impact on me. I have already developed a deeper appreciation for the kindness in people’s hearts and their devotion to our furry friends.
By the way - save the date for HAWS 6th Annual Pet Fair in Menomonee Falls and 4th Annual Ride for Rover! On August 17th we're again merging these 2 great events into 1 amazing day for HAWS! Join us!
(Adopt A) Cat Month at HAWS
June is known in the pet world as Adopt A Cat Month or Adopt A Shelter Cat Month. We’re all over that at HAWS!
If you’re a cat fan or just an animal advocate in general, there are several ways you can help HAWS help cats this month – get involved, donate, help spread the word about our fantastic feline friends.
HAWS’ Kitten Shower is Saturday, June 15. From 11am to 3pm we’ll be celebrating all things kitten – while also getting out information on how you can become a foster home, bring up a well socialized kitten and more. Enjoy cake and a little kitten playtime, too! Don’t forget your shower gift – check out our Wish List for ideas.
Se
veral of HAWS adoptable cats will be participating in the WI-IL Cat Fanciers Show this coming weekend at the Waukesha Expo Center (just down the street from our shelter on Northview Road). Cheer them on to victory in the household pet division…then take one home as your very own.
The Delafield Public Library has a wonderful display dedicated to information all about cats, adoption, proper cat care, and overpopulation issues we’re facing in Waukesha County. Stop by their branch on Genesee Street (Hwy. C) and read all about it!
Vote for Milo until June 22nd: 
A local family has entered their cat in the Petfinder.com contest – if Milo wins then HAWS receives $4500! Here’s the link to vote every day – search for Milo Willms.
By the way – HAWS’ Project Guardian and SNIP spay-neuter programs are fighting the good fight against cat overpopulation every day. Donate and save a life!
Still Haven't Found What They're Looking For (a New Forever Home!)
At HAWS, we don't have a time limit for our adoptable pets. As long as they need us to look, we'll keep searching for that new forever home.
For Kenya and Cosmo, the search continues. On and on and on...
Kenya has been with us at HAWS for almost a year. Yes, a year. She joined our shelter family in August, 2012 as a stray and never left. Not to say she hasn't been out - we've taken her to schools, nursing homes, on TV, and to many special events. She's been primped and paraded, mobiled and modeled. But, alas, this almost 7 year old Pitbull is still waiting for that just right home. Meanwhile, she looks forward to more outings with our Mobile Adoption Center - and time hanging with the Kids 'N Critters Summer Day Camp kids!
Cosmo is another long-termer. While he's only been here since this past winter, he has still seen many kennelmates come and go, possibly because Coz is 9+ years old and a Pitbull mix. He has done the TV show and Mobile Adoption circuit, also, and lately he's been our "face" of Facebook, as various staff and volunteers keep finding him snoozing in silly positions and feel the urge to "share" his bliss. You can bet, tho, he'd be even more blissed-out on someone's couch...
Long-termers, senior pets, stereotyped breeds - these factors can make for a hard sell when it comes to placing a pet. Time and time again, tho, the eventual homes for these animals have reported back to us that the adoption was the best thing they've ever done, and they can't believe how many people missed out on such a great family member.
So, what are YOU waiting for?
By the way - save the date for HAWS' shelter Kitten Shower on June 15th, and Take Your Dog To Work day on June 21st at First Weber - Lake Country. The summer fun has truly begun!
Happy (?) Kitten Season to ALL!
This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season. At HAWS we’re already in the midst of another unofficial beginning – that of “kitten season.”
There aren’t any songs written about it, no greeting cards to buy and send, no notation on the calendar. But every year about this time HAWS can count on being inundated with kittens. Nature has worked it out this way and we’re just going to roll with it!
Battening down the hatches for this truly blessed event means stockpiling cat litter and kitten food and formula, collecting donations of towels and blankets, signing up as many foster homes as possible, getting our volunteer corps braced for the extra cleaning and adoptions staff ready for the uptick in visitors and adoptions. We even hold a Kitten Shower to celebrate (Saturday, June 15th).
(Here’s the part where I “make the ask”: we’d be grateful for your donation! When you’re out shopping in the next few weeks, can you pick up an extra bag of litter or food, or a canister of KMR formula for HAWS? Or, if you just want to allocate a few dollars for us to do the shopping we’d be happy to oblige!)
Meanwhile, back at the blog…
On Monday we had more than 100 kittens in foster homes. On Tuesday that count was down to 86 as several dozen came back ready for adoption! By this evening the in-foster-care number will again change. And again on Wednesday morning, and again on Wednesday evening. You get the idea – so if YOU want to join the foster family ranks, call Kelly at our shelter for info or click on over to our Foster Home Application. We’ll provide the supplies and kittens, you provide the love. Warm fuzzy alert!
Happy Summer, everyone! And happy Kitten Season, too!
By the way – as much as we love kittens, they are symptomatic of the still great problem of pet overpopulation in our County. The many rural areas are fertile breeding grounds for thousands of cats. Please help save a life by sponsoring a spay! And if you know someone who has a cat colony on their property, or just too many cats and could use HAWS’ free Project Guardian spay-neuter service, let us know! Thank you.
