Anniversary

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Growing a Humane Community: 60 Years Strong

This year is HAWS’ 60th Anniversary. Like many things, we’ve gotten better with age!

Over these six decades, HAWS has grown into a vibrant community organization. Since our incorporation on July 22, 1965, we’ve impacted the lives of tens of thousands of pets and their people. Our facilities and programs have continued to expand to ensure we meet the needs of the citizens of Waukesha County and beyond.

And we’re just getting started. The future is bright!

Throughout 2025 we’ll be sharing memories, stories, hopes and dreams – the 60 things we love about HAWS. We’ll be celebrating the individuals, groups and initiatives that have made HAWS the leader in animal welfare: an open-admission, no-kill shelter dedicated to strengthening the relationship between animals and humans through adoptions and education – making a more compassionate community possible.

We are incredibly thankful to have reached this milestone, and invite you, our greatest source of support, to join us in a year of reflection and celebration!

60 Things We Love About HAWS

#29: Donations of Treats/Food/Supplies!

#29: Donations of Treats/Food/Supplies! Old Mother Hubbard isn’t the only one whose cupboard was bare. HAWS’ team can face shortages of key supplies – and always, of course, at...

#28: Caring Kids – Diana Boettcher Award Winner

#28: Caring Kids – Diana Boettcher Award Winner Each year HAWS gives out the Diana Boettcher Youth Community Kindness Award. This award is presented in memory of Diana Boettcher,...

#27: Fosters – Medical Cases

#27: Fosters – Medical Cases Sixty years ago, HAWS began caring for homeless animals. Space, resources, and most of all, funding were limited. (While “love don’t cost a thing,” most...

#26: Emerging Leaders

#26: Emerging Leaders HAWS’ Emerging Leaders are young professionals in the public and private sector with a passion for animals and growing a humane community. They show their commitment...

#25: Hooves & Flights and summer cleanup

#25: Hooves & Flights…and summer cleanup! Each spring, HAWS staff and volunteers do a thorough cleanup of the stalls, arena and public areas of our Schallock Center for Animals,...

#24: Friends of HAWS

#24: Friends of HAWS The Friends of HAWS volunteer group is dedicated to supporting our mission through community involvement and fundraising activities. They act as ambassadors, promoting HAWS’ goal...

#23: Spay-Neuter Initiative Program (SNIP) Clinic

#23: SNIP Clinic HAWS original Spay-Neuter Initiative Program clinic opened in 2001. Prior to opening, adopters were required to sign a contract to have their new pet spayed or...

#22: Local Rescue Partners

#22: Local Rescue Partners We’re all in this together. Teamwork makes the dream work. All for one, one for all! In summary – we can’t do this alone. HAWS...

#21: Eaton shows everyone how to Pause with HAWS

#21: Pause With HAWS Time spent with animals is proven stress relief. Just ask our friends at Eaton, who have hosted “Pause with HAWS” events annually for many years!...

#20: HAWS Education Partners – Teacher Appreciation Week

#20: Teacher Appreciation Week Animals are often the best teachers! At HAWS, we use both shelter pets and alumni ambassadors to present educational programs that are helping to grow...

#19: HAWSfest!

#19: HAWSfest! Now known as HAWSfest, this activity-based fundraiser held at Sussex Village Park is filled with fun. Activities include a lure course, dog dash, dozens of vendors with...

#18: Trap, Neuter, Return

#18: Trap, Neuter, Return Cat overpopulation used to be a huge problem in Waukesha County, a county full of farms and undeveloped areas. Groups of cats, known as colonies,...

#17: VOLUNTEERS!!!!!!!

#17: VOLUNTEERS!!!!!! HAWS doesn’t exist without volunteers – literally and figuratively. We were founded 60 years ago by a group of volunteers who saw a need and acted on...

#16: Delivery Drivers

#16: Delivery Drivers Who DOESN’T love getting a package delivered?! One way internet commerce has helped HAWS is through online shopping. People can log on to Amazon, or Chewy.com,...

#15: Adoption Success Stories

#15: Adoption Success Stories We really do love when our adopters send us updates on their HAWS Alumni pets! “Back in September, Modern Woodmen did a service project...

#14: Dog Dock

#14: Dog Dock As if the HAWS Schallock Center for Animals weren’t already amazing, it also is home to our private Dog Dock! This fenced swimming area is another...

#13: Kitten Season – Fosters

#13: Kitten Season – Fosters Kitten Season means all-hands-on-deck fostering – HAWS welcomes hundreds of litters of kittens (and sometimes their mommas) each year from early spring into late fall....

#12: Behavior Department 1:1 Consults

#12: Behavior Department 1:1 Consults Some behavior issues are best worked out individually. Our Behavior/Training team is here to help pets and their people through a variety of behavior...

#11: Angelina’s Easter Eggs Fundraiser

#11: Angelina’s Easter Eggs Fundraiser Angelina’s Ristorante in Delafield does one of the most FUN-draisers for HAWS each year: Easter Eggs on the Ceiling. For a small donation, restaurant patrons...

#10: HAWS’ Board of Directors

#10: HAWS’ Board of Directors HAWS’ Board of Directors is a group of volunteers who donate their time to guide the organization in many different ways! While they oversee our...

#9: Employee Appreciation Day

#9: Employee Appreciation Day At HAWS, our team is the heart of everything we do in animal welfare. Each employee, from animal caretakers to essential behind-the-scenes roles, plays a vital...

#8: Training Classes – especially Basic Manners

#8: Training Classes – Basic Manners Communication is key in all relationships. Understanding each other goes a long way! Basic Manners is a six-week-long foundation class that teaches skills such...

#7: Media Partners

#7: Media Partners When HAWS needs to get the word out – about a pet in need, an adoption special, a special transport, a fun event – we are lucky...

#6: Summer Camp Registration…Open NOW!

#6: Summer Camp Registration…Open NOW! Yay, Campers! NOW IS THE TIME TO THINK SUMMER – HAWS Summer Camp! Education is an integral part of HAWS’ mission, and we want to...

#5: Milwaukee Admirals Dog Day Games

#5: Milwaukee Admirals Dog Day Why would you take your dog to a hockey game? It seems like an odd pairing – bring your dog indoors to an arena...

#4: Blanket donations keep HAWS’ Herd warm

#4: Blanket Donations Keep HAWS’ Herd Warm Snow falls softly from above, slowly covering the field. Horses graze nearby, making this a picture-perfect winter moment. But wait: it’s Wisconsin. Winter...

#3: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – our animal rescue helpers!

#3: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day – our animal rescue helpers! When a resident calls to report an animal in distress, our rescue team is grateful for the assistance from local...

#2: HAWS Brings Happy Tails to YOU!

#2: HAWS Brings Happy Tails to YOU! Our Mobile Adoption and Outreach teams are always ready for a road trip to a local business, to give our adoptable pets...

#1: Dog Walkers who brave the cold…

#1: Dog Walkers who brave the cold… HAWS’ Dog Walkers are the most dedicated bunch around. As an open admission and no-kill shelter, HAWS is committed to adopting all pets...