Dane County Humane Society Reviews

I adopted my beautiful cat Arya(now Cami) from the humane society almost 3 years ago. She was known as the kitty with the tea kettle tail. She is very well loved, and in her forever home!

The folks running the shelter are slow to help and seem clueless. Very disappointing experience

We got our wonderful Zen there! Couldn't be better!

I found an abandoned bird nest on a construction job and took it here. They had a very good team of volunteers who educated me on the process. I'm so grateful organization's like this exist.

Happy to have our dog but after paying $275 adoption fee you expect the dog to have received basic vet care. We brought our dog home and found out he had severe round and hook worm infestation. When we complained they actually told us that our dog vomiting up worms was a good sign. Well, another $200 in vet bills later, and several terrible messed around our house, we have a great dog. It is inhumane that they did not provide basic vet care to our dog. He was a stray. They should know better than to not check for worms.

Animals are very taken care of, and siblings are able to have multiple cages with their brothers and sisters, to freely roam around. Prices are a bit much but these animals have been vaccinated and dewormed, even spayed sometimes. We took our kitten home the day we found her. She is forever happy, energetic, and the sweetest kitty.

The staff were both compassionate and helpful. They seemed to care about the animals and want them to have opportunities to go to a good home.

We went to check out a few animals because we wanted to find a good fit for our lifestyle. We were deterred from adopting because the cats were all in cages with glass where we couldn't attempt to interact with them until we were put on a list. After waiting for 45 minutes we still hadn't been seen by anyone. It's a poor layout.

Great place! The bark and wine fundraiser was great!

We went in to adopt a cat. After looking at several and choosing one the help took our carrier to the back to load the little guy... but brought out a different cat!!! Not the cat we had chosen! Then told us the cat we had played with and chosen was already taken!!! We left and went to Janesville humane shelter where we adopted 2 friendly cats who are now a joy and delight!

Great, caring refuge for animals and those who love them.

They were very helpful, especially the wildlife unit!

Very helpful staff walked us through the adoption process and made sure we were comfortable with everything. Great work done here!

The dog I got there is licking me and wanting to play. Come on... adopt a pet.

I am allergic to some cats but wanted to see if one of their sweethearts would be a good fit. He wasn't, and I ended up being super allergic, but the staff were very kind and accommodating throughout the whole process. The adoption center and meeting room were clean and lovely, and everyone I spoke with was very helpful!

I am happy they found my baby a new home just wish they would have taken a picture with his new family it would have put my heart at ease. I really pray he went to a good home. If anyone on here adopted a sweet boy from TX named Beamer please share a pic and let me know he is doing good.

I volunteered at DCHS for a year & a half, and adopted my cat from them. The staff and volunteers really care about the animals, and celebrate every time one is adopted. The animals are well cared for (clean cages, good food, vet care, individual attention, etc.) and given special training if needed (for instance, if a cat is very shy, s/he is gently encouraged to feel more comfortable with people). The adoption fees help cover the costs involved in caring for the animals while they're at the shelter (shots, neutering/spaying, food, etc.), with donations covering the balance. DCHS is a wonderful organization that helps animals and people find each other.

Great placed took my dog when i had to go to hoaptial and i had no one to take here I couldn't afford the fees and they waved them

We adopted our dog through the Dane County Humane Society. They were really nice, fast, and we were allowed to take home our wonderful dog the day that we met him! Dane County Humane Society provided all the previous owner paperwork, a first night kit, and later followed up with additional rabies and microchip information that we forgot to discuss about on the initial day. Total cost was ~$300, which I thought was a reasonable asking price because pets are expensive initially and long term. Overall, my experience was very good and positive!

The staff is always willing to talk with you about the animals. Closed every Wednesday.

I have adopted all of my pets from shelters. And I never been at a shelter that volunteers for low-cost/free clinic, but adopting a dog can cost up to a $400 fee? I wish they drop the adoption fees.

They do a great and much needed job. They are always appreciated .

Saw a purple spotted hyena there. He can read my thoughts. We merged minds. Then I saw it. The reason for life. I and He are one. He and I are none. We are no longer just me or He. Now are me and He. He will come when we need him most, and He and I are powerful. He is Law, and his name Billy Bob Joe.

Volunteers are great! It was a busy day and they were understaffed but they managed to get it done and answer our questions about adoption. Adoption fees + microchipping were $500 for a puppy which is a lot in my opinion...but hey, the money runs the operation right? They have a nice second hand shop to grab some essentials like collars, dog beds, crates, and cat & dog toys etc for a donation of whatever amount you choose. That's a nice perk. I would recommend adoption here to anyone. Also they have a great wildlife rehabilitation center where I have brought more than one injured animal.

saw some improv that could have been improv'd upon.

Their adoption fees are a little high but they make sure the animals are healthy, clean, and have all of their shots. They also provide help if there are problems with the new pet. Much better organization than the other rescue I want through. They are really nice folks.

Well kept, quality establishment, knowledgeable, friendly staff!

The volunteers here were very kind and very helpful. My adoption councilor talked with me a lot about my new cat and about introducing him to my old cat. They all seemed to work very hard to have the process be successful rather than simply move people and animals through quickly. This was my second time adopting here, and I've been very happy.

Amazing staff and volunteers. Incredible wildlife rehabilitation program.

They were great! They made the process fast and easy!

Adopted our fur baby from here. Great facility, large, clean, and nice outdoor space. They also offer training classes at a discount if you adopted your dog from them. With our dog, they were very thorough going over his history with us (was adopted once before and returned to the humane society after terrorizing the previous owners cat). There's no pressure to adopt on the day you go in. We went in just to browse then fell in love with our dog, but didn't want to rush into a decision. We put down a deposit on him so we could have time to think about it a bit more, make sure we were prepared to bring him home etc. then went back a day or 2 later (I think the deposit is only good for one day, unless they're closed the following day or something like that). Overall, great experience. One of the trainers who introduced us to our dog gave us some training tips and we're excited to start classes with them soon! (but register early, the classes do fill up far in advance)

Adopt before you shop!!! These people genuinely care for these animals

Such a great place. Went in a few years to just take a look at some pups and we actually got to take an older white german shepard out for a walk. I love how much love the staff has to go around.

My husband and I adopted a dog 4/2/19. We love him so much and he loves his new home. Thank you DCHS. For letting us adopt our dog.
The Steele s

They were so helpful, and listened to every question we had while our Jadah kitty for spade. Recovery time was reluctantly fast and the staff are so caring. We are hopeing to adopt a friend for our kitty soon so she has a friend to play with.

Went to drop off dog kennel that I no longer needed. Friendly helpful service from the moment you walk in the door.

Way more potential adoptive parents then available animals, was a clean place and friendly volunteers.

Love their work! Friendly people, animals are well cared for. Get over there if you can offer an animal a home

I adopted my amazing cat, Alder, from here. The staff is very sweet, and you can take your new family member home the same day you meet them.

The DCHS has always been the place to go for a pet. I hadn't been here since I was a kid, but it hadn't changed too much. When you find an animal or two you can put on the list to meet them. It is very busy on Saturdays and Sundays. This was a Sunday and I was the last one able to out my name on the list at 215pm. They close at 5 so it was going to be quite the wait. The staff tells you any information they have on the animal and anything that might not make them a good fit in your home. They have a screen in the hall to let you know your wait time and see who is before you and their animals they're interested in. My first two choices were already on other people's lists and they were both adopted before I could meet them, which is okay they need happy homes! I was also prepared with back up options just in case, which worked out for the best. After waiting until after close I was taken back to the staff area because this little boy was a special case and very shy. The woman that helped me explained how to hold him and how to handle the situation. In his little "purrito" I fell in love with this shy purr machine. Ravioli was ready to head home that night so the staff stayed late to get the paperwork set, give me all the instructions and advice to help Rav adjust, and make sure I had all the things to take care of him for the evening (they sell a package of items for $45 to set you up and proceeds go to the DCHS). The staff member even helped me carry everything out to the car. Yes it's a long wait on busy days, but it is so worth it. The staff truly cares and one staff member even checked in with me from time to time. This is a place that provides a much needed service in a very good way with wonderful people. I know they helped me meet a wonderful boy who is changing my life for the better.

The service was very friendly and helpful. They made the process of adopting a kitten incredibly simple and smooth for my friend and made sure she understood what the society did for the pet, what they offered in their store, and what she would still need to have done later as the kitten grew up.

Found our sweet Hooper(formally Felipe) here and he is doing so well with our exhisting cat. DCHS was wonderful helping me find the right kitten and walking me through the paperwork.

It was a very nice place everyone wad very nice. Very organized with where the pets were housed. Looked very disciplined on how the pets eat and what they est. Thier names were on the outside of there cages-homes.

I love this place.. I love cats. We go here. This time we bought two black cats. Beautiful.

Simply a fantastic animal shelter. We've adopted 3 dogs - Sabrina in 2002, Tiny in 2015, and Odie in 2017. All have been wonderful members of our family, and came with detailed information about the animal and any health concerns or issues, so we we're informed right from the start. DCHS does such a great job getting dogs adopted that they often take dogs from other shelters down south. Staff and volunteers are always top notch and willing to help as well.

I'm so happy to be enrolled in the Dog Training class for my new human-canine relationship. Nikki and Olivia have given me all sorts of confidence that they have dealt with all my questions and concerns.

This is evidence that the DCHS is more than a rescue/adoption center. They are committed to "fur-ever" homes for all peeps and pups.

I found a dog and reported it to the shelter while keeping him safe at my home. The owner had also reported his dog lost the same day, in the exact same location. The humane society had never made the match or contacted us. It was 4 days later that I found the owner myself by returning to the location with the dog and he spotted us. This is the 3rd negative experience I have had with them. I recommend Underdog pet rescue which is way more organized and they do not kill animals.

Thank you for all of your hard work, A true asset to Dane county.

Very few small dogs & seniors. Could not get on a list to adopt. First come, first choice. Seems odd that pet rescue & adopting favors foster care with a lenghty process.

We got an amazing dog at the Dane County Humane Society.

The Dane County Humane Society is a great place to find an animal in need of a forever home! The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. They walk you through the steps of an adoption and offer great resources for after you bring your new animal companion home. The training classes they offer are excellent as well!

Here's the deal people, the DCHS is a state funded organization that is nothing more than an extension of our current social and economic society. If it's run down and under-organized that's because we as a community let it get that way. It would be one thing if it was a private business, however that's not the case. Sure it's easy for all of us to complain and ridicule this place from our computer chairs, but are you doing anything to actually improve the situation? All I see is a bunch of complaints and no action. If you don't like how it's being run than do something about it. Send a leter to your city mayor or advocate for more tax dollars to be invested in DCHS. Again this predicament is nothing more than the by product of our state and society. Everyone is quick to point the finger and blame, yet do nothing to change the situation or attempt to look at it from a different perspective. Also pets aren't something you just buy for your own selfish pleasure, they're companions that take a lot of responsibility and work. If you can't take care of your pet DON'T GET ONE OR TAKE IT TO DCHS expecting them to be your own personal pet hotel. TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!
EDIT: BTW I have adopted a cat from DCHS and it was one of the few smart decisions I made in 2015. She's been such a positive influence in my life, and even cuddles with me when I'm feeling down. I change her water everyday including her food and litter box. These are things everyone needs to do including providing a stable long lasting home. If you can't provide these things or are unsure about your future living situation, DON'T ADOPT!!!!

high adoption fees. Unfortunate for families that have a home filled with love but not hundreds to dole out to adopt. breeders sell dogs for around the adoption price.

Clean and utilitarian. Animals are taken care of, but need forever homes.

I adopted my two cats from here, one of which has a medical issue that they were very upfront and honest about. It's obvious how much dedication they put into caring for these animals until they get their forever home. I have also, sadly, had to surrender a different cat here and they were very sympathetic and kind. I called to check in every so often to see how he was doing and they were nice enough to answer my questions and even inform him when he was relocated to the Madison Cat Project. Everyone I've interacted with has been very friendly and helpful.

It is a safe place to take a stray. The staff is very caring and the facility was very clean. I'm glad they have kids programs!

Prices reflect what the humane society has to spend on these animals. Many come from high kill shelters which require dogs to be spayed or neutered and have all vaccinations before they can leave. Often dogs from these shelters have other health issues, such as heartworm, which require veterinary treatment (heartworm costs about $500 to treat as we learned when we adopted a rescue dog from the south). If a dog comes from a kill shelter in another state, often boarding in quarantine for around two weeks is required before the animal can be taken across sate lines, which is another cost factor.

Staff just seemed completely disinterested and/or hurried

Huge place with many animals,especially cats that need a good home,adoption fee is pretty reasonable for rabbits. there are small critters at this location.staff is very helpful. There are animals without sponsors and could use your help

Lots of cats, dogs, bunnies, birds, and more! The staff were very helpful. You might want to call ahead since the wait time for meeting with an animal can be long if they're busy.

It's a great looking facility... and maybe they do more behind the scenes type work. BUT.... There are very few animals housed at this shelter.... and almost every single one of those is already pending adoption. If you are looking for a pet, I suggest you check out local rescues instead.

They were very helpful and nice however it took hours to see the pets that we wanted to see and others where waiting a very long time too which caused people to walk out. There pets are priced higher than other pet shelters thinking they should be finding these pets homes not asking 400 to 500 dollars for a pet to get one low your prices a couple hundred and these cute babies would have great homes. And the staff needs to get thongs moving waiting hours really.

They take good care of the pets here. I can't always find what I'm looking for but I know someday I will.

Great shelter that really cares for the animals they have. Staff will go the extra mile to ensure animals get to go to a well suited home.

Good people and very knowledgeable. Adorable animals. If you have any sort of questions about pet adoption they have you covered

Thank you for the incredible work that you all put in!

We got our cat here, an I can say with certainty that he is the best cat ever.

Rescued a dog from down south, turned out to have heartworm. The humane society did nothing to help with the thousand dollar treatment costs.
Also, had another dog that we had to find a new home for due to aggression. We called the Humane Society and they wouldn't do an intake for several weeks.
Last but not least, I showed up at 11:56 to pick up my wife who volunteers. I went to look at the dogs while I waited but couldn't come in because they didn't open till 12:00 pm. At 11:59 I asked for the time and they told me I had to wait one more minute before they would let me in.
All of this and my wife has been a volunteer for over a year and we've donated quite a bit financially to DCHS as well. Needless to say both of those stopped.

I've had a fantastic experience here. I've adopted my dog and two small critters from here over the years. The staff really focus on making sure that all animals go home to the best family for them, even the small ''pocket pets", which I appreciate. The building is always clean. If a staff member doesn't know an answer to a question a patron has, they find someone else who does.

Amazing people donating their time to lovely, cute, some sick, need our love type of animals. I found a baby bird who couldnt walk. Leg was broken. They guided me through all i needed to do. Hope they can save him/her. Sooo cute. God is good

They would be doing better if they lowered the prices a bit. If they truly want to save animals a ferret would not be $75. In most shelters I know ferrets are $5. Why go to a shelter and get a ferret that you don't know the back ground of when you can get one from a breeder for the same price?

Very nice ppl there . . .clean place whom have an amazing staff