The Hendricks Family Foundation recently awarded the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin a challenge grant to support the Pets Go Home Campaign. The $1 million challenge will match gifts of $100,000 or more and will be paid over five years. “We love our pets,” said Konya Schuh, Secretary/Treasurer of the Hendricks Family Foundation. “We believe animals deserve to be well cared for and they deserve to find a loving home. The Human Society does a great job but they need a new facility. It’s time.”

The capital campaign is seeking to raise $4.325 million in support of the construction of a “right-sized,” 16,500 square foot new shelter located on Highway G between Janesville and Beloit. The new facility, situated on 44 acres of park-like property, will allow the shelter to efficiently provide outstanding care for all pets and expand programs and services offered to the community. New features will include: expanded and separated cat/kitten and puppy/dog areas for intake, lodging, recovery and play; sufficient intake and exam rooms; a surgery suite that includes dental and x-ray resources; grooming and retail areas; and a Community Room for rental, educational programs and public services.

Approximately $3.1 million has been raised to-date. A ground-breaking was held on July 12, 2021. Construction is anticipated to be completed by March, 2022. “We are incredibly honored to receive the generous support of the Hendricks Family Foundation. This meaningful gift will help inspire other donors during the last leg of our capital campaign by encouraging additional significant gifts through the matching opportunity,” said Jim McMullen, Executive Director for the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin. “We couldn’t be more thankful and are excited that construction has begun. Together we will make our new home a reality and will continue to help pets go home again.”

“We structured this gift as a challenge because we need others to join us to help make this happen,” said Diane Hendricks, President and Chairman of the Board. “We want to encourage the community to help get this campaign over the finish line.”

The mission of the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin is to provide shelter and humane care to lost and homeless pets, reunite lost pets with their families, promote positive pet adoptions and educate the community in order to inspire compassion and responsible pet guardianship. Currently, the Humane Society serves approximately 5,000 animals per year. The new facility will allow for increased collaboration with area rescues, expansion of the number of pets served and continuation as one of the largest, most successful adoption centers in the state of Wisconsin.

Support of this project by the Hendricks Family Foundation allows the Foundation to invest in efforts that contribute to the growth and development of a strong and vibrant community.