This week, we’re spotlighting MADACC, officially known as the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission.
They open their doors to roughly 13,000 animals every year. Yes, you read that right.
We talked with their Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator about how it all started, what they’re up against, and what people should really understand before bringing a pet home.
How did MADACC get its start?
MADACC opened August 1, 1999 to provide animal care and control services for the 19 municipalities (cities and villages) of Milwaukee County, after the Wisconsin Humane Society terminated its contract with the county to provide animal control services.
How long has MADACC been operating? What are the biggest challenges the shelter faces?
Since August of 1999.
I could write a book on the challenges.
Overcrowding: More animals come in on a daily basis than leave. Longer stays, especially for larger dogs, lead to increased kennel stress, lowering their adoptability.
Staffing shortages: It is an incredibly difficult job that not many people can do and, honestly, no one works in animal welfare because it pays well. The stress and burnout are real.
Funding/Resources: Since we are a government organization, there isn’t extra money for things like marketing, enrichment for the animals, new programs, etc. Two years ago, I threw a Volunteer Appreciation Party on a $0 budget by calling in a bunch of favors from local business owners I know. Anything extra that we want to do for the animals, staff, or volunteers, we have to make happen. We are fortunate to have Friends of MADACC in our corner.
Medical and Behavior needs: Animals arrive with untreated, costly medical issues that we need to address, but worse is when animals arrive with behavior issues that their previous owners allowed to continue, or they were never trained. Now they are at the shelter and we are expected to fix the behavior or ask new adopters to take on that behavior.
Public Perception/Education: People still view us as the bad guys a lot, no matter how many positive changes we make. People still view animals from the shelter as “broken,” which they definitely are not. Other people expect the “perfect” pet and get upset when the first night home doesn’t go as they expected. Many times, people have very unrealistic expectations that they put on a new animal and then blame the animal when those expectations aren’t met.
What’s the mission behind MADACC?
To provide animal regulation and care services that protect the health, public safety, and welfare of people and animals in Milwaukee County.
What other animal resources does MADACC provide?
Dog and Cat Licensing. All dogs and cats must be licensed and the license needs to be renewed each year, kind of like your car registration.
Low-Cost Spay/Neuter for Milwaukee County residents only, currently offered through Friends of MADACC. If interested, Milwaukee County residents can email Friends of MADACC at info@friendsofmadacc.org to sign up.
End-of-Life Services.
Microchipping.
Low-Cost Vaccines for Milwaukee County residents only. Vaccine appointments are Wednesdays and Fridays and must be scheduled and paid for in advance. The schedule for the following month is posted during the last week of the current month.
What should you know before adopting any animal?
When someone is thinking about adopting an animal, it is important to understand and remember that you’re making a long-term commitment. Animals can live 10 to 20 years, and everything in your life will be impacted: your lifestyle, housing options, schedule, and finances.
Even if you adopt the animal during a fee-waived adoption event, pets require ongoing expenses like food, routine and emergency veterinary care, grooming, training, and supplies. They also need daily time, exercise, enrichment, and patience, especially during the adjustment period as they settle into a new home.
Every animal is an individual, and some may have unknown medical or behavioral histories that require extra support. Choosing a pet whose energy level and needs match your home and lifestyle, and committing to responsible ownership through proper care, identification, and training are key to building a successful, lifelong bond.
In return, adoption offers incredible rewards: unconditional love, companionship, improved mental and physical health, a sense of purpose, and the deep satisfaction of giving an animal a second chance at a safe, loving home.
All of that being said, some of the best adoptions I have seen have been impromptu, spur-of-the-moment adoptions.
How does MADACC work?
We operate lean. Very lean.
With about 40 staff members, give or take, and roughly 200 active in-shelter volunteers, our team is small but mighty and feisty. And that doesn’t even include our incredible foster families, who we truly could not do this work without. Our volunteers and foster homes are absolutely essential to everything we accomplish and every life we save.
Based on national shelter statistics, an organization with our annual intake should ideally have 80 to 100 staff members. We’re not even close to that number, which makes the dedication of our volunteers and fosters not just appreciated, but absolutely vital to our mission.
What is it like volunteering at MADACC?
Volunteering at MADACC is so many things. It can be tough, both emotionally and physically, but it’s also filled with laughter, joy, and endless animal snuggles. Most of all, it’s incredibly rewarding.
No matter how challenging things get, helping animals in need always makes it worth it. After five years, I’m constantly inspired by the dedication of the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to create positive change. Together, we truly make a difference, and my time volunteering here means the world to me.
— Emily Kinsman
What’s your favorite part about what you’re doing?
That has to be helping shy animals learn to trust and watching that transformation unfold. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the joy an animal can bring to a person, and the healing and happiness a person can bring to an animal in return.
I also love getting out into the community, meeting the people and pets we serve, and building lasting partnerships that strengthen our entire community. At the heart of it all, what matters most to me is being able to make a difference in lives, human and animal, no matter how small that difference may seem.
What can people expect when going to MADACC?
At MADACC, people can expect a team that truly cares. Our staff and volunteers work incredibly hard every day to care for animals and support the people who come through our doors.
While not every visit is an easy one, we meet each situation with compassion, respect, and a genuine desire to help. Whether we’re reuniting a family with their lost pet or helping someone find a new best friend, our focus is always on doing what’s right for both animals and the community we serve.
Anything else we should know?
At MADACC, we’re not the MADACC of the old days. We’re more than just a shelter. We are a second chance for animals who have been abandoned or lost their families, a place where people can reclaim their beloved pets, and a trusted community resource offering low-cost vaccinations and support.
Every day, we work to make a difference for both animals and people, helping build stronger, more compassionate connections in our community.
I have so many favorite stories, but the ones that stand out most are when people come together to give an animal a second chance. Those moments renew my faith in humanity and remind me why this work matters and why it is so important to keep going.