Jul 31, 2020

10 Years of Saving Lives in Maddie's Felines In Treatment Center

SHARE:

Since October of 2010, Dane County Humane Society has been treating cats with ringworm in their state-of-the-art facility.

In 2003, under the direction of UW-School of Veterinary Medicine veterinarians Sandra Newbury and Karen Moriello, a group of volunteers worked out of a cramped 1960’s pink trailer behind DCHS’s main shelter. Inside, they were developing a program for successfully treating cats with ringworm in a shelter setting. For more than six years the groundbreaking Dermatophyte Treatment Program (DTP) offered a second chance to more than 400 cats who were treated and cured of ringworm.

By 2009 it was evident that the trailer could no longer serve as a home to the DTP. The roof leaked, the floor had holes, the windows were drafty and it had numerous fire code violations. Plans were drawn up for a new state-of-the-art center and fundraising began.

In October 2010, DCHS welcomed its first patients into the new spacious and modern treatment facility. Now named Maddie’s Felines In Treatment (F.I.T.) Center, the facility boasts a beautiful design that provides the cats a peaceful home while under treatment. Volunteers have plenty of room to work and upgrades included laundry, a dishwasher and a restroom.

Over the years more improvements came. In 2013, we enhanced our cleaning protocols. In 2018, caging was expanded, giving each resident three times the space they had before. This improved our ability to treat large litters as well as moms with kittens.

In 2019, Dr. Moriello retired from the vet school and DCHS vets took over reading and monitoring resident cats’ treatment cultures. We no longer had to transport our cultures to the vet school so we could start them the day we took them. This allows us to monitor treatment in real time and helped cut our average length of stay to an amazing 25 days!

As we observe the 10th anniversary of Maddie’s F.I.T. Center, we celebrate more than 1,245 cats that have healed thanks to this amazing program.

Next Story

May 24th, 2023

Feline in Treatment Captures Dypper’s Heart

Maddie’s F.I.T. program healed a kitten so he could have a second chance and find his new beginning.

Full Story

Next Story

May 19th, 2023

Felines in Treatment Program Turns 20!

Help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of DCHS's innovative Felines in Treatment program!

Full Story

Next Story

May 12th, 2023

Help 50 Cats Heal

DCHS received 50 cats from a Madison hoarding situation, and we need our community's help to provide them with immediate medical care.

Full Story

Next Story

Apr 25th, 2023

Celebrating Ruth Vetter Day

April 26th marks a special day at Dane County Humane Society (DCHS).

Full Story

Next Story

Apr 21st, 2023

Spring is in the Air

DCHS's Wildlife Center staff and an intern share a few of their favorite patient stories so far this year.

Full Story

Next Story

Apr 21st, 2023

Swan Success, Pelican Pending

DCHS's Wildlife Center has exciting news to update our supporters about our social media-famous Swan and Pelican!

Full Story