Wisconsin Rescue Saves 50 Animals, Needs Adopters by Sunday

Shelter from the Storm Animal Rescue in Wisconsin pulled off a massive save this week, rescuing 50 animals from neglect just as winter weather swept through Juneau County. Now they need the community's help to give these animals their next chapter.

The rescue began Thursday when the Juneau County Sheriff's Department received a report about dogs tied on short chains. Rescuers discovered 45 cats, four dogs, and one rabbit living in neglectful conditions.

All 50 animals are now safe at the shelter's veterinary clinic, receiving care and warmth. But the rescue faces an unexpected challenge: their clinic space needs to return to normal operations by Monday morning.

"We need to get them all out of here by Sunday night, which is a little bit crazy considering the sheer volume of animals we're housing right now," said Payton Pritzl, the shelter's Chief Operating Officer. Regular patients with scheduled appointments depend on that space for veterinary services.

The shelter is urgently seeking foster families and adopters who can open their homes this weekend. Fostering even one animal creates space and gives that pet a calm environment to decompress from their ordeal.

The Ripple Effect

Pritzl hopes this rescue opens eyes across Wisconsin. Animal neglect isn't just something that happens far away or in other states.

"Things like this happen right here in our own backyard," Pritzl explained. She wants community members to stay alert and report suspected cases of animal cruelty, because early intervention can prevent suffering.

When one person makes that call to authorities, it sets dozens of lives on a better path. The person who reported those chained dogs likely saved lives before the worst of winter arrived.

The rescue shows what's possible when shelters, law enforcement, and communities work together. Fifty animals went from dangerous neglect to safety in days.

Anyone interested in fostering or adopting can visit Shelter from the Storm's website for information on how to help these animals start fresh.