Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center

By: Kris Majdacic

Facing Challenges but Focusing on the Animals

The Milwaukee Animal Rescue Center (ARC) is a small adoption center in the Southridge Mall that provides unique services to dog and cat adopters while facing numerous challenges.  “We sit in the middle of being a shelter and a rescue,” said Executive Director Amy Rowell.  The animals available for adoption at the center are unclaimed strays from animal control agencies.  “We will help out any Wisconsin shelter that wishes to transfer adoptable animals,” according to Rowell.  “This means we sometimes get animals that need help the most.”  The organization does not discriminate based on breed, age, or health.  It also does not take surrenders from individuals.  The goal is to be an outlet for overburdened shelters and humane societies that need the most help.

Established in 2005 to help Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission with adoptions, ARC currently rescues dogs and cats from multiple local and statewide animal control agencies after the animals have been found and held for seven days.  After the waiting period (when the animals can be claimed by their owners), the animals are available to be transferred to organizations who want to place the animals.

The dogs are placed in foster homes, medically prepped for adoption, and taught basic manners until placed in permanent homes, while all the cats are brought to the ARC’s Southridge location for processing and placement on the adoption floor or transfer to foster care until adoption-ready.   The ARC hires outside veterinary services and relies heavily on its volunteer staff to foster ill or recuperating animals.  All dogs can be brought into the center for viewing and adoption by appointment.  ARC is located on the second level of Southridge mall, which presents its own challenges.  “We are accessible to everyone,” said Rowell.  “We have the constant struggle of trying to discern visitors with good intentions for adoption, donation, or volunteer service and those who are trying to distract us from our work.”   ARC has a “sleep-on-it” adoption policy to cut down on impulse adoptions that may occur especially in a retail environment. 

ARC’s volunteer programs include the following:

PAWS (Providing Adopters with Support), which pairs special needs and senior adopters with a trained volunteer who provides support throughout the lifespan of the companion animal.  This can include house calls to clip a cat’s claws or even scoop a litter box.

MYPAW (Milwaukee Youth Promoting Animal Welfare), which lets Milwaukee youth learn about animals through fun, educational, hands-on experiences and off-site field trips.

The Spay/Neuter Wisconsin program, which has the goal of overcoming the overpopulation crisis of animals through large-scale, reasonably-priced spay/neuter opportunities.

Annual fundraisers include a Bowl-a-thon, a Pancake Barkfest, and the “Spayghetti & No Balls” Bash.  See the ARC’s web site at http://milwaukeearc.org for dates.

The adoption fee for all pets (puppies, kittens, dogs, and cats) is $100 and includes:
• Spay/neuter
• Microchipping ID protection
• Vaccinations
• Heartworm testing for dogs   and Felv/FIV testing for cats
• Preventative treatment for   fleas and worms
• Care for any illness/injury as   required
• 30 days of free pet health in-  surance (some restrictions   may apply)

ARC makes a commitment for life.  If the adoption fails at any time for any reason, adopted animals are always accepted for return.  There is no charge for this service.  ARC also holds frequent health and behavior seminars at no charge to adopters.

For 2010 and beyond, ARC’s goal is finding a dedicated, part-time volunteer coordinator, and it has  hopes of renovating the Southridge space to more closely match the needs of the animals.  The public can always help with tax-deductible monetary donations and donations of clay cat litter and paper towels.

Since 2005, the organization has placed over 2,000 animals otherwise destined for euthanasia.

The ARC is open:
Tuesday noon-7 p.m.
Wednesday noon-7 p.m.
Saturday noon-4 p.m.
Sunday noon-6 p.m.

It is also open by appointment.