About Us
What We Do
Countryside Humane Society is a non-profit organization that provides animal control, adoption and other community services for Racine County residents, and cares for approximately 5,000 lost, abandoned, and surrendered animals each year.
We provide humane care and treatment, and work to foster the well-being of all animals through education, information, investigation, and action.
Our volunteer Board of Directors, elected by the membership, establishes the policies and operational guidelines for C.H.S. Many additional volunteers donate their time and talents. Together, paid staff and volunteers operate our Shelter and Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, provide counseling for animal behavioral problems, raise funds and help educate our citizens about responsible pet ownership.
Our Humane Officer has the authority to investigate abuse and neglect
cases, seize animals and prosecute when necessary. With this authority,
and the assistance of our Humane Agents, our officer can effectively
enforce the state and local laws that were designed to protect animals.
Their duties are as varied as reuniting pets with their owners, trapping
elusive dogs and cats, or responding to calls about domestic stray animals
or injured wildlife.
We provide twenty-four hour pick-up of injured animals. If you find an injured stray outside of our regular hours, please contact your local police department. They will contact us regarding the pick-up.
We provide humane education to schools and interested groups.
We are a non-profit, tax exempt organization.
Tax dollars are not used to support Countryside Humane Society.
Funding is received from pet licensing, memberships, donations from individuals, fund raising events and grants.
Mission Statement
The mission of Countryside Humane Society is the prevention of cruelty to, and the abuse of animals, and to promote responsible pet ownership.
In order to carry out this mission, the Society will maintain an animal shelter for the purpose of temporarily housing animals that are unwanted, surrendered or stray. Reasonable efforts will be made to reunite runaway pets with owners. Reasonable efforts will be made to place unclaimed, adoptable animals with responsible adoptees.
The Society will actively promote programs that tend to reduce the population of unwanted animals. Examples of such programs are humane awareness, spay/neuter programs, pet licensing and identification programs.
The Society subscribes to the philosophies and recommendations of the American Humane Association and the Humane Society of the United States and maintains accreditation in these national organizations.
How we came to be
In the fall of 1992, Countryside Humane Society was founded by the joining of two existing animal concern organizations, Animalov and the Animal Welfare League. Each of these organizations contributed people and resources to form Countryside Humane Society (CHS).
This newly formed society established strict guidelines for animal welfare, the adoption of animals into good homes, a neuter and spay program, and goals consistent with the welfare of all animals. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, CHS earned the right to manage animal control services and sheltering of animals for all municipalities in Racine County.
Countryside Humane Society found a suitable location on Chicory Road, in a former potato warehouse. Racine County leases this property to CHS for use as an animal shelter and operating center. In July of 2002, CHS purchased the shelter and property from Racine County. In addition, CHS bought the home and property to the east of the shelter for future expansion.
Countryside Humane Society has been determined, from the beginning, to take prompt and responsible action to stop animal neglect and abuse. To that end, CHS employs Humane Officers and Agents. Our Officers investigate neglect and cruelty complaints, and are empowered to issue citations where appropriate. Our Agents perform the tasks necessary for animal control, which includes picking up strays, feral animals and injured wildlife. We provide services of all kinds to our community, including helping people to understand the needs of their animals, counseling people on how best to care for their animals, and information regarding local requirements, such as licensing. We work closely with law enforcement officials and Health Departments, following up with extensive reporting. Our Officers have the authority to proceed with charges and seizure of an animal if a situation does not improve.
Countryside Humane Society runs an organization that serves the best interest of animals and their owners. To accomplish these goals, some of the many services that CHS provides are:
- Educational presentations to schools and community groups, and other outreach opportunities
- Lost and found pet assistance
- Careful screening to insure that families are making a lifetime commitment to the animals they take into their homes and lives
- Commitment to increase adoption rates and to reduce of rates of euthanasia
- Neuter and spay of all animals that are adopted from CHS
- The opportunity for low cost neutering and spaying of cats and dogs for all families residing in Racine County, even if the animal was not adopted from CHS
- Foster care of animals with special needs, to help them become more adoptable
- Cooperative relationships with other animal shelters and rescue groups
- Fund raising efforts to raise much needed funds in order to provide all needed services, and to heighten awareness of animal care and welfare
Countryside Humane Society’s commitment to animals is evidenced by the work of the Foster Care and Education Programs. The Foster Care Program allows animals that are ill, injured, traumatized, un-socialized or too young to be placed immediately into adoptive homes. In a Foster home, the animals will find care in a quiet and loving environment. The Education Program provides visits to schools, medical programs, correctional facilities, community groups and more, with a strong emphasis on the humane treatment of all living beings. Poor treatment of animals is often an indication that the people in a family are not receiving the care they need and deserve.
Countryside Humane Society makes every effort to provide a safe, healthy environment for all animals, and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Educating the community on the value of neuter/spay, vaccinations and regular medical care, licensing, leashing, and more, are vital and continuing goals for the Shelter.