WAUKESHA, Wis. — It’s been a busy October for the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) in Waukesha.

HAWS has received two pet transports this month from shelters down south, impacted by both Hurricane Helene and Milton. 

What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin animal shelters are taking in displaced pets impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton

  • HAWS took 13 cats and kittens, as well as 19 dogs and puppies

  • In total, 145 cats and dogs were transported to Wisconsin from down south

HAWS Communications Specialist Jen Smieja said the animals that came from the Hurricane Helene transport have since been adopted.

“It was amazing,” Smieja said. “That flight was on a Tuesday or Wednesday. We were crazy busy that weekend. We had 100 adoptions over that weekend. Not just the transport pets, but the other pets that have been here at the shelter for other reasons.”

Now, a new group of dogs and cats, displaced by Hurricane Milton, is here in the Badger State. Smieja said there are 52 dogs and 93 cats, which will be shared amongst eight different shelters across Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Southwest Airlines, Greater Good Charities and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue teamed up to make the transport happen. 

HAWS took 13 cats and kittens, as well as 19 dogs and puppies. Smieja said she isn’t worried about them getting adopted, especially after the success of the first transport.

“People really have been reacting,” Smieja said. “People have been responding to not only the need of the adopters because of this weather craziness going on but also just the animals in general. People are really responding to the idea that now is a good time to adopt and they’re coming in to adopt and we’re so thankful.”

Julia Steiner saw the post online about more hurricane-affected animals coming to the state in need of homes. Though she didn’t end up leaving with one of them, she said adopting shelter animals is something she tries to prioritize in general.  

“There’s a lot of animals that need homes,” Steiner said. “I think it’s really important to take a look at what’s out there. If you have the means to expect an animal and give them everything they need to flourish and grow up, why not?”

Smieja said while many want to help or assist in hurricane clean-up efforts, many aren’t able to, so adopting a rescued animal can be another great way to give back. 

She said she’s thankful for the partnerships HAWS has with others so it can continue taking in dogs impacted by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and Milton.

Along with HAWS, the other shelters who took in animals are:

 

  • Elmbrook Humane Society
  • Humane Society of Jefferson County
  • Washington County Humane Society
  • Dane County Humane Society
  • Green County Humane Society
  • Eau Claire Humane Association

 

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