Change Ahead for Countryside Human Society

The New Year will bring a lot of changes for Racine County’s Countryside Humane Society, a non-profit organization that first opened in 1992.

Countryside is being taken over by the Wisconsin Humane Society starting Jan. 1 and also getting a new director.

Officials of the Wisconsin Humane Society have announced that they will acquire the assets of Countryside Humane Society and assume the responsibilities for animal care, animal control and adoption services for the 4,000 animals in Racine that Countryside handles every year.

Countryside Humane Society’s leadership approached the Wisconsin Humane Society in early 2012 about a possible acquisition, according to the humane societies. The two organizations have worked over the year to solidify plans for the acquisition.

“We are grateful for the work CHS has done for the Racine community over the years and are excited to expand our lifesaving services to Racine County,” said Anne Reed, executive director at WHS.

“The acquisition will bring the resources of the oldest and largest humane society in the state to the animals and citizens of Racine County. More animals’ lives will be saved as a result of the acquisition, and we will have the opportunity to create a more compassionate community by offering new programming for both children and adults.”

The Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus will serve under the leadership of Alison Fotsch Kleibor, the new director of the Racine campus.

Prior to this appointment, Fotsch Kleibor, who has been with WHS for six years, served as WHS’s counseling services manager in Milwaukee. Fotsch Kleibor said that the same philosophy and protocols practiced at the WHS’ other shelters will be instituted in Racine starting on day one.

“At the new Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus, our commitment to animals will remain the same as it is at our Milwaukee and Ozaukee Campuses,” explained Fotsch Kleibor.

“We don’t impose time or space limits; we are there for every animal in the adoption program for as long as it takes to find a new home. We will bring to Racine the processes and approaches that have made that commitment possible.”

On Facebook, community members said they look forward to the organization having a new director and were optimistic about the changes.

"There are caring employees and volunteers I know that give 100 percent but I am glad that they are starting fresh at the top," "Beth David said.

"I've heard many great things about the Wisconsin Humane Society and I'm very excited for this transition. I know there are many caring employees and volunteers currently at CHS but, I'm glad they are starting fresh at the top too. Also, I'm anxious to find out how I can get involved with WHS in any way I can,” Gretchen Mohr said.

“That's great news, finally we'll have a better society running animal care here. And hopefully they'll be able to find all the animals homes,” Jon Netzinger said.

Donations for transition

Donations are currently being sought for the January transition. WHS has already begun initiatives to immediately improve the shelter, from projects like installing a new heating and ventilation system, to launching an expanded adoption program, to remodeling surgical areas to better serve sick or injured animals.

At the top of WHS’s wish list are cat and dog toys, Kong dog toys, heavy-duty 33-gallon garbage bags, pet-friendly sidewalk salt and monetary donations.

Donations can be dropped off at the Racine or Milwaukee shelter, and monetary donations can be made online at www.wihumane.org.

The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) is the oldest and largest shelter in Wisconsin, according to a press release from the organization. The non-profit organization was founded in 1879 and currently operates shelters in Milwaukee and Saukville, Wis. WHS offers adoption services, educational programming, spay/neuter clinics for animals from low-income households, retail products, volunteer programs and dog training classes. The Milwaukee shelter also houses the state’s largest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.