Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin

What Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin does

Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (HSSW, formerly Rock County Humane Society) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1910 and headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin. The organization operates a single no-kill shelter on a 44-acre campus opened in June 2022, situated between Janesville and Beloit. It serves Rock County and surrounding areas, handling pet adoptions (dogs, cats, and small critters), low-cost spay/neuter and wellness veterinary services, lost and found pet services, and community pet retention and food assistance programs. HSSW runs specialized programs including the Working Cat Adoption Program (since 2013), Doggy Day Out, Better Together pet retention, and a Community Pet Pantry, with municipal animal control contracts covering 24 jurisdictions.

The organization is funded through a mix of private donations and grants (35-40% of annual budget), adoption fees, low-cost veterinary service revenue, municipal contract payments, and in-kind gifts. Pricing for adoption fees ranges from $15 for small critters to $255+ for young adult dogs, and veterinary services are priced at discounted community rates (e.g., $117 for cat spay/neuter, $219 for dog spay/neuter). The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer: in-person shelter visits during open hours, online adoption applications, community outreach events, and a multi-tier Pet Spotlight corporate sponsorship program. Distribution is anchored at the physical shelter and supplemented by online pet listings and municipal service contracts.

HSSW is governed by an independent Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Jim McMullen. It holds the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency (2026) and the Forward Janesville Community Improvement Award (2023). The organization maintains active partnerships with Petco Love (grant funding and lost-pet technology integration), Athletes for Animals (grant funder), Mounds Pet Food Warehouse (free adoption kits), and GoodPup (free dog training for adopters), alongside a network of over 150 volunteers described as the largest foster network in the region.

Name

Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin

Legal name

Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin

Website

https://petsgohome.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin is a no-kill animal shelter in Janesville, Wisconsin serving Rock County. It provides pet adoptions, low-cost veterinary services, lost pet reunification, and community pet support programs across 24 contracted municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Veterinary Services (541940), Veterinary Services (54194)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Low-Cost & Community Veterinary Clinics (HLAMAAAE), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

Keywords

• Community pet support
• Animal shelter services
• Pet adoption programs
• Low-cost veterinary care
• Animal welfare nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Janesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Private donations and grants constitute 35-40% of annual budget, making up the majority of funding alongside adoption fees, contract services, and in-kind gifts.
2. Adoption Fees: Fees for adopting animals including dogs ($155-$255+), cats ($40-$200), and small critters ($15-$85). All animals come spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and dewormed.
3. Surrender Fees: Fees charged when pet owners surrender animals: Dog $70, Puppy $35, Cat $55, Kitten $25, Litter $75-$100, Small Critter $27.
4. Veterinary Services: Low-cost spay/neuter services and wellness/vaccine clinic appointments. Spay/neuter ranges from $117-$297+ depending on animal type and size. Wellness visits include $46.42 deposit.
5. Live Trap Rental: $20 deposit plus $25 rental fee for live animal traps to trap lost cats.
6. Contract Services: Municipal contracts with 24 municipalities in Rock County area to provide animal sheltering services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin operates a no-kill animal shelter that provides pet adoption services for dogs, cats, and small critters, low-cost veterinary care including spay/neuter and wellness/vaccine clinics, lost and found pet reunification, foster placement, animal control services under municipal contracts, and community pet-retention programs such as the Community Pet Pantry, Better Together, and Temporary Pet Placement.

Product overview

The Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin operates as a private nonprofit animal shelter offering a comprehensive portfolio of animal welfare services. The core service is pet adoption (dogs, cats, and critters) through same-day adoption processes. Supporting services include veterinary care (low-cost spay/neuter and wellness/vaccine clinic), lost and found pet services, community assistance programs (Community Pet Pantry, Better Together for pet retention, temporary foster placement), rehoming services, and volunteer/foster networks. The organization also runs specialized programs including the Working Cat Adoption Program (since 2013) for barn cats, Kids' Corner educational programs, and various donation/fundraising mechanisms. The portfolio operates as a unified shelter services model rather than a technology product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Working Cat Program: A program instituted in 2013 for cats who may not be comfortable in traditional home settings but would thrive as working cats to local homeowners, landowners, and businesses for pest control.
• Asher & Sam Project
• Help Me, Heal Me Fund
• Snips & Ear Tips Fund
• Doggy Day Out (DDO)
• Better Together Program
• Sophie's Gift

Products and services

• Pet Adoption Services Comprehensive adoption program offering dogs, cats, and small critters with same-day adoption processes, behavioral and medical screening, and post-adoption support including vaccines, spay/neuter, and microchipping.
• Working Cat Adoption Program Specialty adoption program placing cats unsuitable for traditional home environments as working cats at barns, stables, warehouses, and other properties where they provide pest control services.
• Home to Home Rehoming Platform Platform that connects community members looking to rehome pets directly with potential adopters, allowing pets to bypass shelter intake and reduce animal stress during transitions.
• Spay & Neuter Services Low-cost spay and neuter surgical services for community cats and dogs, including outdoor cat packages, vaccines, and complex surgery options, priced at $117 for cats and $219 for dogs plus large-breed surcharges.
• Wellness & Vaccine Clinic Low-cost wellness and vaccine appointments providing routine preventive care including exams, vaccinations, heartworm tests, and nail trims for community pets.
• Lost Pet Services Lost pet reporting, matching, and reunion services including microchip scanning and integration with the Petco Love Lost facial recognition platform to help reunite lost pets with owners.
• Found Pet Services Found pet reporting and intake services for strays from contracted municipalities, holding pets for the five-day stray period required by Wisconsin State Law.
• Community Pet Pantry Food and supply distribution program open to all community members in need, supported by an Amazon partnership that ships pet food and supplies to the shelter for distribution.
• Live Trap Rental Rental service for live animal traps used to safely trap lost cats, with a $20 deposit plus $25 rental fee and a two-week initial rental period.
• Foster Program Foster care network placing approximately 1,000 animals annually including kittens, puppies, medical needs animals, and small animals; HSSW supplies all food and medical care.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities including canine companions, feline friends, Petco cat care, youth programs, housekeeping, surgery snugglers, and event volunteers, with a four-hour monthly minimum commitment.
• Better Together Program Pet retention program helping families keep their pets by providing temporary foster placement, financial assistance for pet deposits, veterinary bills, and pet food for community members in need.
• Temporary Pet Placement Temporary foster placement service for pets while families seek pet-friendly housing, supporting domestic abuse survivors with up to 90-day foster periods.
• Doggy Day Out Program Community-based outings program allowing volunteers to take shelter dogs on two-hour excursions to reduce kennel stress and improve adoption outcomes.
• Pet Rehoming Services Surrender consultation and managed admission services for pet owners who need to rehome their pets, with the Home to Home program offered as an alternative to traditional surrender and surrender fees ranging from $25 to $100 depending on animal type.
• Kids' Corner Programs Youth education programs including Camp Unleashed (ages 6-13), Birthday Paw-ties, the Wags & Tales Reading Program, field trips, tours and presentations, and community service projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000-5,000 animals served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Petco Love LostcoreTechnology or IntegrationLost pet database with facial recognition technology used for reuniting lost pets with owners. HSSW uses platform for lost/found pet reports.
• Mounds Pet Food WarehousecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides FREE Adoption Kit to all cat and dog adopters from HSSW at their Janesville location.
• GoodPupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDog training app providing HSSW dog adopters with FREE 30-minute training session and 20% off lifetime membership. HSSW receives referral donations.
• Defy Domestic Abuse BeloitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDomestic violence shelter partnership for Better Together program helping survivors with pets find pet-friendly housing.
• Charlie’s PlaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrange tier Pet Spotlight Partner - pays adoption fee for one dog monthly.
• CORE Association ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrange tier Pet Spotlight Partner - pays adoption fee for one dog monthly.
• Dollar General JanesvilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrange tier Pet Spotlight Partner - pays adoption fee for one cat monthly.
• Kayser Chevrolet Buick GMCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrange tier Pet Spotlight Partner - pays adoption fee for one dog monthly.
• Beloit Mattress CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeal tier Pet Spotlight Partner - sponsors care for two pets monthly.
• Carl's PlaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeal tier Pet Spotlight Partner - sponsors care for two pets monthly.
• Hesser ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeal tier Pet Spotlight Partner - sponsors care for one pet monthly.
• Raising Cane'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTeal tier Pet Spotlight Partner - contributes to pet care during shelter stay.
• Timber Hill WineryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRed tier Pet Spotlight Partner - provides social media promotion and fundraising support.
• NBC 15 WMTVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreen tier Pet Spotlight Partner - features Pet of the Week on-air.
• 92.3 and 98.9 The BeatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreen tier Pet Spotlight Partner - features Fur Baby Friday on-air.
• Janesville GazetteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreen tier Pet Spotlight Partner - features Pet of the Week in print.
• Lifestyle Focus FitnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner hosting Flow for Furbabies yoga event benefiting HSSW.
• Forward JanesvilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness organization that awarded HSSW the 2023 Community Improvement Award.
• Badger Veterinary HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal veterinary hospital with Dr. Steven Servantez serving as former Board Vice President. Provides medical expertise to HSSW.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Wisconsin Humane Society: Wisconsin's largest animal welfare nonprofit operating shelters in Milwaukee, Green Bay, Kenosha, and Madison. Comparable to HSSW as a regional no-kill shelter providing adoptions, low-cost vet care, and community education in the same Wisconsin market.
• Fox Valley Humane Association: Wisconsin-based no-kill animal shelter in Appleton serving the Fox Valley region. Comparable as a regional Wisconsin shelter with adoption, low-cost spay/neuter, and community programs analogous to HSSW.
• Lakeshore Humane Society: Wisconsin-based no-kill shelter in Manitowoc County offering adoptions, surrender services, and community education. Comparable as a similarly sized regional Wisconsin shelter with overlapping service offerings.

Direct peers

• Dane County Humane Society: Madison, Wisconsin-based no-kill animal shelter offering adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter, wildlife rehabilitation, and youth programming. Operates within the same Wisconsin market with an overlapping mission, service mix, and donor base to HSSW.

Broad incumbents

• Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): The largest national animal welfare organization, operating as a broad advocacy and shelter-support umbrella rather than a single shelter. Comparable as the parent mission space and policy voice for HSSW's local sheltering work.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization operating the largest sanctuary in Utah and a network of regional partners. Comparable as a leader in the no-kill movement and operator of adoption/vet programs with similar mission alignment to HSSW.
• ASPCA: One of the oldest U.S. animal welfare organizations, operating the ASPCA Adoption Center in NYC and national grant programs. Comparable as a broader-incumbent shelter operator and grant maker in the same nonprofit animal welfare category.

Others

• Petco Love: National animal welfare nonprofit affiliated with Petco that issues grants and operates the Petco Love Lost lost-pet database. Direct partner of HSSW and a comparable funder/ecosystem player in the animal welfare space.
• Janesville Veterinary Clinic: Local veterinary practice owned by HSSW board member Dr. Mike Hotchkiss. Comparable as a private companion-animal veterinary clinic in the same Janesville market where HSSW operates its low-cost clinic.

Emerging players

• Adopt-a-Pet: Largest online pet-adoption platform in North America aggregating shelter listings. Comparable as an emerging digital channel that competes for adopter attention against HSSW's regional shelter model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmIJeuv2qwhNxF-olByt06A
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheHumaneSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/humane-society-of-southern-wisconsin
• Instagraminstagram.com/petsgohome
• TikToktiktok.com/@petsgohome

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin