The city of Shawano is continuing to talk with officials from the Shawano County Humane Society to see if there’s an option beyond shelling out almost $25,000 to help keep the humane society operational.
A notice from the humane society was sent out in July to Shawano County municipalities from Pam Nowak, the society’s executive director, and Dusty Martzke, president for the board of directors. The notice is asking for municipalities to help the humane society in one of two ways.
The first option is for municipalities to pay $2.50 for each resident within their borders, based on the most recent official numbers from the U.S. Census. The second option would seek $500 for every stray dog or cat, or for every dog or cat with a litter, apprehended within municipal boundaries, which would be more challenging for local governments to budget.
For any municipalities that don’t choose from the two, the third option will be that the humane society will no longer accept stray dogs or cats from those that do not contribute, according to the notice. The humane society has set a deadline of Nov. 1 to return contracts, so it’s likely that the city would make its final determination in October.
City Administrator Eddie Sheppard has said the first option would be the preferable one for the city, but he doesn’t like the idea of being asked to do this immediately or risk losing support for stray animals within the city. Shawano’s levy limit is only increasing by $48,000 for 2027, and having to pay $25,000 to the humane society would make it difficult for any other city priorities to make it in next year’s budget.
Sheppard joined other municipal leaders at a meeting with the humane society Sept. 3, and he reported to the Shawano Common Council on Sept. 9 that talks are ongoing, with future plans for city staff to meet individually with humane society leaders and look at options.
“There are a lot of folks that are concerned and seeking to understand why there’s essentially going to be an assessment to the communities for utilizing the humane society and what that would mean moving forward if communities do or don’t agree to it,” Sheppard said.
The humane society operates at an average cost of about $57,000 monthly. In 2025, the humane society took in 578 stray dogs and cats, but only 141 were reclaimed by owners during a five-day hold period. That left the remainder in the care of the humane society, which has to assume responsibility for rehabilitation and medical care.
The humane society spent $349,600 to care for stray animals in 2025, coming to about $800 per stray. Among the expenses were housing and daily care, spaying and neutering, rabies and other core vaccinations, microchipping, necessary medical treatment, emergency veterinary care, adoption preparation and placement, as well as behavioral rehabilitation when needed.
“I think we got a good general understanding of where they were coming from and their financial challenges, but I don’t think they fully understand how municipalities have financial challenges, as well, with levy limits,” Sheppard said. “We can’t just increase fees to fund things. Our hope is that we can help provide them the other side of the perspective. There may be other things the city can help them with or help with their overall mission.”
Sheppard noted the sudden request has been a hot topic for municipal clerks around the area, and it’s uncertain how things will look in the future.
“What they’re asking for is a $25,000 charge for city residents to use the humane society on a per capita basis,” he said. “It’s not little. It’s impactful, especially impactful for our budget.”
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
