Update August 25, 2025

We’re happy to share that we have entered into a signed agreement with Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) to be paid at the same rate per animal through the remainder of 2025. This is news to celebrate, as it means we have a plan for stray, abandoned, and seized animals in our community for the rest of the year. 

However, the challenge remains that we are being underpaid for the mandated government services we provide. As a contracted vendor to PHMDC, we believe we should be compensated fairly for the essential services we deliver — just like any other government vendor. Based on current intake, our true cost to administer this contract in 2025 is roughly $1,355,724, leaving a shortfall of $724,467. This funding gap has been a long-standing issue, but in recent years it has grown far more severe — to the point that we can no longer continue absorbing the difference. While we are deeply grateful to our donors who have helped carry this burden, we believe these essential government responsibilities should be primarily government funded. 

There’s also been some confusion that we’re asking PHMDC to cover our entire organizational budget, but that’s not correct. While our total annual budget is $8.1 million, our request is simply to be funded at the actual cost it takes to provide the services outlined in this contract. Each year, thousands of stray and impounded animals come through our doors because of this contract, including lost pets, animals whose guardians have been hospitalized, arrested, or passed away, aggressive dogs from dangerous investigations, and victims of neglect or abuse. 

We are efficient and maximize every dollar received, leveraging donor support, item donations, and over 1,000 volunteers to provide top-quality care. 

PHMDC reached out last week to schedule a meeting. We look forward to discussing a more equitable contract for 2026 — one that values our professional staff, supports our community, and ensures excellent care for every animal in need. 

Thank you for standing with us as we continue to provide life-saving services and advocate for fair funding for animals in our community. 

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Every year, thousands of stray and impounded animals come through our doors because of this contract with PHMDC, including lost pets; animals whose guardians have been hospitalized, arrested, or passed away; aggressive dogs from dangerous investigations; and neglect and abuse cases. For many of these animals, DCHS is their only safety net. 

Contract funding has barely moved in 15 years—increasing just 0.9% — while inflation has soared 47%, stretching every dollar thinner as we continue to provide critical care to stray and impounded animals. We run a lean, efficient operation, thanks to dedicated volunteers working along staff in nearly every aspect of our mission of helping people help animals. 

For decades, we’ve provided critical public services like stray animal sheltering and rabies prevention under the PHMDC vendor contract with the City of Madison and Dane County. This year alone, those contract services are projected to cost us more than $1.3 million, yet were only budgeted for $390,000. 

But here’s the catch: the contract only covers the stray hold or impound period. After that, if an animal isn’t claimed by their family, they legally become DCHS’s responsibility—and that’s where our community's donations make all the difference. Because of our donors, these animals get a second chance. They receive spay/neuter surgeries, dental work, or other necessary medical care. Some need behavior help or extra socialization. All deserve a safe place to stay until they find their new home.

Donor support also helps people keep the pets they love—or rehome them without ever entering the shelter—through services like pet food assistance, humane education, Pets for Life outreach, microchipping, ID tags, and more. To be clear, we are not asking the City or County to fund these non-contract services. Our full organizational budget is $8.1 million, and the public contract covers only a fraction of the work we do. Generous supporters help carry the rest—and we are so thankful. 

We’ve let local officials know that, at current intake levels, DCHS is on track to exhaust our 2025 contract funds as soon as the end of August. Without emergency funding or immediate changes, we will no longer be able to accept or care for stray, abandoned, or impounded animals under this contract. 

Thanks to our community members who raised their voices—elected officials are listening. Your advocacy led to growing public awareness, media attention, and forward movement toward a solution.

We are now optimistic that an amendment to the 2025 contract will be approved in the coming weeks. While this is not yet final, it’s an important step forward, and we are continuing conversations with City and County officials to work toward a more sustainable funding model.

We are so grateful for your support and advocacy.

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Learn more about Animal Sheltering Terminology

View DCHS's Annual Reports:  2024    2023     2022

In 2024, PHMDC's directed its Animal Service Officers NOT to pick up or transport sick, injured, or orphaned wild animals reported by the public unless they pose a significant risk to health and safety. Read more here.

WPR

CityCast

Capital Times

Capital Times Editorial

Click on the boxes below to read about just a few of the stray and impounded animals DCHS has helped over the past few years: