A Timeline of HAWS
We are extremely proud of our humble beginnings and our service to Waukesha County over the past 50+ years. Our team now assists over 10,000 animals each year, and our two facilities welcome more than 35,000 annual visitors. We look forward to all the future holds, for our community and beyond!
1965
In 1965, a group of concerned Waukesha County residents recognized a need for a county-wide humane society and centralized shelter building, where homeless and stray animals could be cared for humanely, and given a second chance. Up until this time, each municipality in the county handled its own animal impounding, creating confusion for residents and no main facility or contact to reconnect lost dogs with their owners.
In July of 1965, the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County was granted incorporation and a search began for a suitable shelter site and design.
1967
In November, 1967 the Waukesha County Board agreed to lease county land on Northview Road in Waukesha to HAWS.
1968
Building plans were finalized and ground was broken in September 1968. Showing true community spirit, many suppliers donated materials to the project, including planning and contracting fees donated by Mike Schallock. Founders such as Romey Schoeninger and Jane Knox painted all the interior walls. The Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity of Carroll College (now Carroll University) even manned shovels to dig drain tile tunnels.
While the shelter was under construction, dedicated HAWS volunteers Jane Knox, Mary Whipple, and Jeanette Saunders used their own vehicles to transport animals in need from Waukesha to Milwaukee’s Wisconsin Humane Society. They handled 21 animals their very first week, indicating the growing need in our community! HAWS’ own shelter couldn’t be done quickly enough!
1969
The shelter for HAWS held its grand opening on July 19, 1969. A dream was realized — a caring place for the county’s residents to bring the animals they could no longer keep, in addition to an excellent location in the middle of Waukesha County to house stray animals looking to reconnect with their owners.
Additions to the building came quickly as needs continued to rise. Expansions in 1973, 1979, 1991, 2009, 2012, and 2017 included areas for training and classes, which illustrated HAWS’ dedication from the very beginning toward community education on animal welfare.
Today, HAWS’ shelter includes a kennel with adoption, stray, quarantine, and special care areas; separate, dedicated wards for dogs, cats, and small animals; a lobby with interview rooms and administrative offices; multi-purpose rooms for events, seminars, and training; and a veterinary medical clinic that provides spay/neuter procedures and comprehensive medical care for shelter animals as well as other community animals in need.
Our staff includes an Executive team as well as a Humane Educator, Certified Dog Behaviorist and Trainers, Mobile Adoptions Coordinator, Veterinarians, experienced Adoption Counselors, Kennel Caregivers, and development and administrative staff. Our present-day facility accommodates over 8,000 animals each year and welcomes more than 35,000 human visitors.
1973
Additions to the building came quickly as needs continued to rise. Expansions in 1973, 1979, and 1991 illustrated HAWS’ dedication toward community education and animal welfare with increased kennel space and a large activity/meeting room.
2009
HAWS Northview Road facility nearly doubles in size. Reflecting the growing needs of all the community’s animals, the expansion includes a bright and spacious cat wing and a dedicated small animal nook. The lobby, intake and adoption areas are separated and enlarged, creating a less stressful environment for both animals and human clients. Plus, an additional meeting room and administrative area allow for program growth.2017
In 2017, with the economy in recovery, HAWS is able to complete all areas of the shelter, to achieve the goal of becoming a No-Kill Community! Highlights include a full medical ward with seven procedure areas, recovery, and waiting rooms, realizing the dream of providing spay-neuter and other veterinary services to the entire community. The behavior room allows for additional life-saving consults and classes, ensuring pets can remain with their owners while working through any issues. Special kennels and flex spaces also allow HAWS to bring in animals from our growing rescue/transport partnerships. Areas for safe keep animals, animals received from hoarding situations, and livestock provide housing apart from the adoption wards. Cats gain a second colony room!2021
The HAWS Schallock Center for Animals in Delafield, WI opens. Envisioning their land to be “dedicated to the education of future generations in humane values and sentiments,” Mike and Jane Schallock entrusted HAWS with their breathtaking 77-acre farm. The Schallocks recognized long ago that the key to Growing a Humane Community lies in youth education and strengthening the animal-human bond. The Schallock Center for Animals offers year-round STEAM opportunities to schools, youth and families and day camp offerings. The peaceful, enriching environment also offers programs for shelter and community pets beyond the traditional shelter setting, as well as expanded training classes such as scent work and agility.