The Main Shelter and Thrift Store are closing at 4:00 pm Friday, March 24, for a special event. Adoption visits are first-come, first-served. We recommend checking our current waitlist prior to your visit. Most other services are by appointment only, including reuniting lost animals, surrendering a pet, wildlife rehabilitation, and more.

Executive Director

Pam McCloud Smith

While Pam has led Dane County Humane Society as the Executive Director since 2002, her history with the shelter began long before. Pam, having had a passion to help animals since she was a child, started as a DCHS volunteer in 1989. In 1991 she became the shelter accountant as well as an on-call humane officer from 1992 - 2000. She has been an active member of the Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies board of directors since 2004 and currently serves as the board president.

Birds hold a special place in Pam’s heart, and she currently has four: cockatiels Chico and Chip, and parakeets ChaChi and Chili Pepper – all DCHS alumni. Her two dogs, a hound mix named Copper and Odie the Dachshund, were also adopted from DCHS. Pam’s 16-year-old son Jacob shares her love of animals, including fish, gerbils and his bearded dragon Apollo.

Under Pam’s leadership, DCHS has become a local and national leader in industry-wide changes, creating a world that is a better place for animals with a humane ethic of empathy, care and appreciation for all living things. She is responsible for planning and oversight of DCHS’s $4 million annual operating budget and for all operational functions and programs. Pam loves being part of a community of people working to make DCHS a great organization and resource bringing people and animals together. She is excited to continue to enhance and expand services and operations, all while looking ahead to our 2021 centennial celebration!

(608) 838-0413 ext. 111

Leadership

Pam McCloud Smith

Executive Director

Doug Brown

Assistant Executive Director

Sarah Byerley

Director of Animal Operations

Amy Good

Director of Development and Marketing

Sara Hoven

Accountant and Building Director

Laurie Ringquist

Director of Customer Service