13-05-2025
MADACC is at 'critical capacity' with nearly 200 dogs. Here's how you can help
With 194 dogs under its care but only 149 kennels, the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission is at critical capacity and urgently seeking help.
The publicly funded shelter, at 3839 W. Burnham St., does not turn away any animals — meaning, along with stray animals in Milwaukee County, the shelter will also take in pets who are lost or in need. The influx of pets has pushed the shelter's "space and resources to the limit," MADACC said in a May 12 news release.
'We are pleading with the community: if you've ever thought about adopting or fostering, now is the time. Every animal who leaves safely makes room for the next," said Kate Hartlund, MADACC community engagement coordinator, in the news release.
Most urgently, MADACC asks people who have lost a pet to check the shelter daily. Found animals are posted on the shelter's website, but MADACC encourages visiting the shelter in-person to look for your lost pet as soon as possible.
'These animals have no one else — when they come to us, we're their safety net,' Hartlund added. 'But we can't do it alone. We need our community to step up, whether it's opening your home to a pet or simply sharing our message."
Here's how else you can help MADACC.
If you're able to, you can also help out the shelter by adopting or fostering a pet. Milwaukee County residents can even do a five-day, "test-drive" adoption to see if an animal if the right fit for their home, Hartlund told the Journal Sentinel in January.
Adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekends, no appointment necessary.
Find more information about adopting or fostering an animal here.
Adults over 18 and children between 13 and 17 accompanied by a guardian can volunteer at MADACC.
You can complete the online application form online at Once your application has been accepted, you will be invited to sign up for an orientation, and volunteers must commit to a six-month schedule at minimum.
Here are a few other ways to help the shelter:
You can donate directly to the shelter, or purchase items from the MADACC Amazon and Chewy wish lists to support animals.
: You can reshare posts from MADACC adoption Facebook page, which showcases animals currently available for adoption.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee animal shelter at 'critical capacity,' seeking urgent help
