Lakeland Animal Shelter

Lakeland has been caring for animals for 53 years

Non-profit organization operates boutique to help raise funds

by Heather Ruenz

STAFF WRITER

The Lakeland Animal Welfare Society Inc., a non-profit organization, was founded in 1968 by nine people who decided they could no longer accept the lack of care for homeless animals in Walworth County.

Their original mission was “to be dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals and to providing relief for animals that are suffering.”

In 1978, the Lakeland Animal Shelter was built and since that time, has seen more than 60,000 homeless animals pass through its doors, according to the organization.

The shelter’s mission statement was updated to adequately represent the fact that the shelter’s “legacy and our ongoing work enrich the lives of both people and animals throughout our community.”

While it’s a no-kill shelter – animals are only euthanized if they are too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be suitable for adoption and rejects euthanasia as a means of population control – shelter representatives believe use of the terms ‘kill’ and ‘no-kill’ are neither constructive for animal care agencies or informative for the public.

“(They) can actually be damaging to the humane animal movement as a whole. We therefore resist being labeled in this way,” the organization states.

Annually, Lakeland Animal Shelter accepts more than 3,000 stray or neglected animals and staff do not limit the intake based on health, temperament or age.

“Each of these animals is treated with respect, kindness and compassion throughout their stay with us which can range for one week to more than a year in some cases,” it states.

In addition to there not being a time limit on how long it houses and cares for each animal, Lakeland’s practices are consistent with the belief that each animal in its care deserves a chance be adopted into a new home. This belief does not simply apply to those animals that are healthy and of acceptable temperament upon intake, according to the organization.

“We go to great lengths to rehabilitate animals that we receive that are, or become… unhealthy, sick or of unacceptable temperament into animals that

9 Lives Boutique is a resale shop in Lake Geneva that is operated by volunteers to help support the Lakeland Animal Shelter.

FILE PHOTO Spirit of Geneva Lakes

are healthy and of appropriate temperament for the adoptive home to which they are going,” it states.

Services Lakeland Animal Shelter provides includes the following: care and intake of stray, abandoned and unwanted animals; animal cruelty and neglect investigation; adoption placement services for unclaimed and unwanted pets; animal rescue assistance to local law enforcement agencies; and education services on the subject of humane animal care. Volunteers are vital

Volunteers play a critical role at the Lakeland Animal Shelter.

“Without our volunteers, we would never be able to provide the current level of programs and services to assist the animals and the community,” the organization states.

Below are some of the many volunteer opportunities available at the shelter:

• Dog walking – get some exercise and help four-legged friends do the same. “Our dog walkers provide exercise and mental stimulation to each of our ready for adoption dogs on our five-acre land,” the shelter’s website states. The property is also equipped with three smaller pen areas for “drop the leash” time, or its fenced in pastures for some “off leash” time for those dogs that won’t jump the fence. Dog walkers must be willing to learn and use commands from the Bright Futures Obedience class. Training is set up with the volunteer coordinator or a current, experienced dog walker; • Cat room monitor – stay indoors and spend time with a furry, feline friend. Volunteers provide supervision and assistance to potential adopters while spending time with the cats and maintaining the cleanliness of the cat room. Must be at least 18 years of age however, there are cat room monitoring assistant volunteer

from right: Eva came to the shelter as a stray in mid-2021. She had been wandering in the Kettle Moraine State Forest until she made her way to the road where she was rescued. Eva was in rough shape, according to shelter staff, so small meals were started to help her gain weight back; Droplet, a 2-month-old kitten, is an example of the type of animals available at Lakeland Animal Shelter. For current animals available for adoption, visit the website at lakeland animalshelter.org.

COURTESY LAKELAND ANIMAL SHELTER Spirit of Geneva Lakes positions for those younger than 18; • Animal-assisted therapy allows volunteers the unique opportunity to provide a beneficial service to both animals and people. The therapy is increasingly used to boost the mood and morale of those in resident care facilities. By bringing a shelter dog or cat to visit one of these facilities, volunteers can see that people from diverse backgrounds – and facing a wide range of physical, emotional, and psychological struggles – find not only comfort, but also growth and healing through animal-assisted therapy. “The premise is simple: the bond between humans and animals reaches beyond words, and an animal’s presence can offer a powerful level of comfort and companionship that is unconditional and runs very deep,” according to the website; • Outreach team – one of the best ways to increase awareness about the needs of homeless animals in the community is by joining the shelter’s outreach team. Volunteers are able to participate in this program by bringing adoptable animals to various locations throughout the community to increase exposure to those who may not be aware of them; • Bright Futures training and obedience – be an integral part of helping homeless dogs find new homes. In this program, volunteers are able to work a specially designed, six-week obedience course for shelter dogs as instructed by a professional trainer. The volunteer dog handlers work with dogs in the shelter to correct behavioral or social issues, as well as working on basic obedience commands. This position does require an understanding of canine behavior and confidence in working with shy, scared, or abused dogs.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, visit the website and complete and submit the Volunteer Profile form or contact the coordinator by emailing volunteer.las@ gmail.com. Adopt an animal

Lakeland animal shelter often has 100 or more animals – mostly cats, kittens and dogs – listed as available for adoption. The animals available are constantly changing so it’s advised to keep an eye on the website and follow the shelter’s Facebook page where adoptable animals are often profiled.

Those interested in adopting are asked to fill out an Adopter Profile in advance and are reminded that currently, appointments are required to see an animal. Relying on donations

More than 70% of its annual funding to support the animals, programs and services at the shelter comes from private donors.

“Without this support, we would no longer be able to provide this quality care to the homeless animals of our community,” the organization states.

There are numerous options for donating including operation rescue, paying down the mortgage, the capital campaign and planned giving.

For the bargain shoppers, there is the 9Lives Boutique, a resale store owned and operated by Lakeland Animal Shelter since 2007. All merchandise is donated and all profits support the animal shelter. The store is at 835 Geneva St., Lake Geneva.

The website contains lists of items the shelter is in need of – ongoing and urgent – as well as stores in the area where donations can be dropped off.

Lakeland Animal Shelter is at 3615 State Road 67, Delavan. Shelter hours are noon to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. For more information, call 262-723-1000, visit lakelandanimalshelter. org or follow the shelter on Facebook.