Q. Are you a no-kill shelter?
A. As a government run animal control agency, MADACC is an open admission—or open door—animal shelter.
This means that we will not turn away any animal that comes to our doors. Many of these animals are healthy, good natured dogs, cats and small animals who go up for adoption or are transferred to one of our many placement partners for adoption. However, there are animals that come to our facility sick, severely injured, or too aggressive or behaviorally unsound to be placed up for adoption. Many times for these animals, euthanasia is the only humane outcome. Many no-kill (or limited admission) shelters sharply limit the number and type of animals they will take. If they’re near capacity, they’ll refuse to take in additional animals, forcing the owners to find another place for the animal. Many no-kill shelters will never accept animals that will be difficult to adopt, such as older or injured animals. Other no-kill shelters may house animals for years in small cages which is not humane. There’s nothing wrong with no-kill shelters or rescues, as long as they’re honest about their limitations — especially the limited number of animals they’re able to help. However, until we end the pet overpopulation problem in our community, a full-service, open-admission shelter that accepts all animals, even when euthanasia is the only humane outcome, is a necessity.
Q. Can I surrender my animal to MADACC for adoption?
A. Owned animals should be surrendered to Wisconsin Humane Society.
Please contact them for more information by calling 414-264-6257.
Q. What should I do if my dog or cat bites someone?
A. Anytime a dog or cat bites a human and the skin is broken, there is a potential for rabies exposure.
In the case of cats, even a scratch can expose someone to rabies. If an animal has bitten the health department in your municipality should be notified and the animal must be quarantined for 10 days. If the victim needs medical treatment, the medical professional may report the bite to the local authorities. If your animal is the one who has bitten, you’ll have to make a decision about your pet’s future. Confinement for 10 days is required by law. Some municipalities may allow you to quarantine the animal either at your home (with permission from health department and if your pet is up to date on a rabies vaccine) or require the quarantine to be done at MADACC. The potential for rabies exposure is serious and you are legally liable. You must make the best decision for your situation. We don’t normally put animals that have bitten up for adoption. There are fees associated with having your animal held at MADACC for a bite quarantine. Contact us for more information 414-649-8640.
Q. I have found a stray animal during hours that MADACC is closed, what should I do?
A: See this page for more information
Q. How many animals am I permitted to have in my municipality?
A. Number of Animals Allowed per household in Municipalities in Milwaukee County.
- Bayside: Maximum of 3
- Brown Deer: Maximum of 2
- Cudahy: Maximum of 3
- Fox Point: Maximum of 3
- Franklin: Maximum of 2
- Glendale: Maximum of 3
- Greendale: Maximum of 3
- Greenfield: Maximum of 2
- Hales Corners: Maximum of 3 dogs, 3 cats
- Milwaukee: Maximum of 4 adult dogs, cats and/or rabbits, 5 with permit
- Oak Creek: Maximum of 3 dogs, no cat limit
- River Hills: No restrictions
- Shorewood: Maximum of 2
- South Milwaukee: Maximum of 3
- St Francis: Maximum of 2 dogs, 2 cats
- Wauwatosa: Maximum of 3
- West Allis: Maximum of 2 dogs, 4 cats
- West Milwaukee: Maximum of 2
- Whitefish Bay: Maximum of 2 dogs, 2 cats
Animal Fancier Permits
Check with your municipality if they offer a fanciers permit which will allow you to legally have more than the limit permitted.
In the City of Milwaukee, no more than 4 adult dogs and/or cats are allowed in any one dwelling unit. In single and 2-family dwelling units, a fourth or fifth dog and/or cat can reside if the owner/tenant has an Animal Fancier Permit obtained through the Department of Neighborhood Services. There is a cost to obtain the Animal Fancier Permit and an annual inspection of the dwelling unit is required. More frequent inspections may be allowed on a complaint basis. Animal Fancier Permits are not allowed in multiple dwelling units. Anyone violating this will be subject to prosecution. Contact Department of Neighborhood Services for details and applications at 414-286-5771.
Q. There is a dead animal on the road, can I call MADACC to pick it up? My animal died, can MADACC pick it up?
A: MADACC does not perform removal services for dead animals located on the side of the road or in other public areas, nor do we provide removal services for companions that pass away at your residence.
Should there be an animal carcass in a public area in need of removal, please contact your municipality for information on the proper agency to refer your request to. If you want to bring a deceased animal to MADACC for cremation, we provide that service for $25 and cannot provide ashes to you in return.
Q. My animal is sick, can MADACC take care of it?
A: MADACC is unable to offer veterinary services to owned animals.
Sick animals should be brought to your veterinarian immediately. Please click here for more options. If ultimately, you are unable to afford to take care of your animal, you may want to consider surrendering your animal to a shelter or rescue who have the resources to care for animals with more advanced medical concerns. Even in those circumstances, it may be determined that euthanasia may be the most humane option for an animal with a critical injury or illness.
Q. Why does it take so long from the time I call Animal Control to the time they arrive?
A: MADACC does its best to handle all calls in a timely fashion.
There are many calls for stray animals all through the county, so wait times can take longer during peak times of the day and certain times of the year. We also prioritize emergency calls from police and other enforcement agencies, which could add to your wait time. If you have caught a stray animal that you are comfortable handling and are able to safely put it into your car and transport it, you may bring the animal to MADACC.
Q. Do you board animals?
A: MADACC does not provide boarding services, we simply do not have the space available.
Please check your yellow pages or search the internet for boarding facilities.
Q. Do cats need to be licensed?
A: Every dog and cat that is over 5 months old and resides in any municipality of Milwaukee County needs to be licensed.
Many residents are unaware that dogs AND cats need to be licensed in Milwaukee County, but we are one of the few places that does require cats to be licensed.
Q. How long are licenses good for?
A: Dog and cat licenses are good for one year, and are valid in any calendar year from January 1 – December 31.
Licenses are not prorated, so even if you purchase a license in November or December of a calendar year, you will need to pay the entire fee AND need a new license effective January 1 of the next year. All animal licenses in the State of Wisconsin expire on December 31.
Q. I am having a problem with wild animals around my home, what can I do?
A: MADACC handles DOMESTIC animals only!
We are unable to assist residents with nuisance or sick/injured wild animals. Sick and injured wildlife ONLY may be taken to the Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. If you have found a sick or injured wild animal, please click here for more information. The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) website has many resources for individuals who have found a wild animal in need. If you would like to contact WHS by phone for specific questions about a wild animal, please call 414-431-6137. Nuisance wild animals can only be removed by a licensed wild animal removal service and we recommend you make certain the service you hire will use only humane techniques for this endeavor. You can find several local companies in the yellow pages or by doing an online search.
Q. If I have lost a pet how long will MADACC wait to allow me to adopt a new companion
A. MADACC waits 30 days before adopting a family a new pet to allow their pet some time to return home.
MADACC wants owners not to have a potential situation where they will need to rehome an animal should their pet return home up to 30 days after they go missing. Certainly there are outlier animals that return home weeks, months and years later, but to be safe, MADACC recommends a minimum of a 30-day wait to adopt a new animal if you have lost an animal.
Q. How many animals can one household adopt at a time at MADACC?
A. MADACC wants your new companion to get the attention they need and the time to adjust to a new home.
MADACC will reserves the right to limit the number of dogs that can be adopted into a home at any given time. Each decision will be based on the animals in question.
MADACC will allow a household to adopt up to three kittens or two adult cats (as long as municipal pet limits are not exceeded) on one visit.
