The best way to help animals in our care is with a monetary gift. We never know what animals may come through our doors, so monetary donations give us flexibility to meet our ever-changing needs. Let us do the shopping! We have many partners who give us the best 'bang for our buck' by offering great discounts and bulk pricing.

Make your monetary donation here or stop by the shelter to give your gift in person. 

Taking item donations directly to where they are accepted helps us save on transportation costs, valuable time, and allows us to put them to use quickly. Read below to see what item donations the shelter needs and what donations should be taken to our thrift stores:

DCHS accepts donations of the following items at the Main Shelter only:

• Unopened cans of dog and cat food
• Unopened bags of pet food and treats (especially soft dog treats)
• Leftover medications that are not controlled substances (see below)
• Items from our Wish List

A drop off bin is located just inside the main entrance during business hours. Please do not donate expired items. The shelter has to pay to dispose of these items, diverting funds from our mission.

DCHS Thrift Store accepts donations of the following new or gently used items at their West Side (6904 Watts Road) and East Side (5231 High Crossing Blvd.) stores in Madison:

• Women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing
• Towels, blankets, sheets, and rugs
• Housewares and electronics
• Shoes, purses, and jewelry
• Books and other media
• Yarn
• Good quality, small-to-medium sized furniture
• Pet supplies, including toys, kongs, crates, leashes, collars, and harnesses

See the full list of all items the Thrift Store does and does not accept here.

Both stores accept donations during business hours at their designated "Donation Drop-Off" doors behind their buildings.

Do you have a large QUANTITY of an item(s) to donate like a pallet of dog food or hundreds of tennis balls? Do you have a large SIZED item to donate like a chicken coop or a sectional sofa? Do you have an UNUSUAL item to donate like an incubator or a horse trough? Are you a retail store that would like to donate your OVERSTOCK? 

To help us handle your donation efficiently, click the button below to complete a short form before bringing it to Dane County Humane Society. Staff will quickly review your donation and let you know if we can accept it and where to bring it – to our Main Shelter or to one of our Thrift Stores.  

Note: This form is only for large, unusual, or bulk donations. For general donations, please follow the guidelines on this page.

Please read the list below carefully as there are many items that DCHS cannot accept:

• Prescription, open, or expired pet food
• Expired flea/tick/heartworm preventatives
• Homemade pet treats or toys
• Heavily used or dirty pet supplies
• Cleaning supplies or chemicals other than those specified on our wish list below
• Large, bulky furniture such as sleeper sofas, recliners, mattresses and box springs or large kitchen appliances
• Car seats and cribs
• Expired syringes or needles
• Opened/expired medical fluids

The following drugs are controlled substances, regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. DCHS cannot accept them, and they should be properly disposed of at medication drop-off sites:

• Tramadol
• Phenobarbital
• Diazepan, aka Valium
• Alprazolam, aka Xanax
• Buprenorphine, aka Buprenex
• Butorphanol, aka Torbutrol, Torbugesic
• Morphine
• Hydromorphane
• Fentanyl (patch or injectable)

There are also items that you can purchase or provide from our wish list that help us keep the animals comfortable during their stay with us:

Download the Wish List