Dane County Humane Society

It's ! Found a baby bird on the ground? Your first instinct may be to help, but many are healthy fledglings learning to fly and become independent. Before stepping in, Dane County Humane Society's Wildlife Center explains when a young bird truly needs help and when it's best to leave it alone.

You found a baby bird on the ground…now what?

Each year, we receive hundreds of calls from concerned community members who found a baby bird on the ground. While it's natural to want to help, human intervention isn't always the best solution.

Many young birds, called fledglings, spend time on the ground as they learn to fly and become independent. Their parents are often nearby, continuing to feed and care for them.

Knowing the difference between a fledgling that should be left alone and a bird that truly needs help can make a difference. Click on the link in the comments to learn how to identify fledglings, when to give them space, and when it's time to intervene.

Ocean was our Pet of the Week this morning on 105.5 Triple M. If you missed her on the radio, we'd love to introduce you.

Ocean is a 13-week-old puppy with the sweetest face and an even sweeter personality. She appears to be some kind of hound mix, with a mostly white coat, adorable brown and black spots, big floppy brown ears, and the cutest wrinkly forehead. She's also the last puppy from a litter of nine still waiting for a family!

Ocean's journey started in Mississippi, where she and her siblings were born to a stray mom who gave birth at a local asphalt business. Thanks to one of our rescue partners, Yellow Rabbit Animal Rescue , the family was safely placed into foster care before they made the trip to Wisconsin for a better chance at finding a loving home.

Shelter life can be a little overwhelming for this gentle girl. The world is still a big place, and Ocean is looking for a patient family to help her build confidence and discover just how fun life can be. She could fit into many different homes and may especially enjoy having another friendly dog around to show her the ropes.

Ocean isn't the only pup hoping for a family. We currently have quite a few puppies available for adoption, with even more arriving later this week, along with plenty of wonderful adult and senior dogs, too. Our kennels are getting pretty packed, so it's a great time to adopt!

Our Adoption Center opens today at 2pm, so stop by and meet your new best friend!

For this with City Cast Madison, we'd like you to meet Rollie, a sweet adult cat. Rollie and two male cats she was living with were surrendered to DCHS earlier this month. Since her arrival, Rollie received a dental procedure to help make her more comfortable, and she was placed on oral medication to manage her diabetes. Through it all, Rollie, who is believed to be a senior, has remained friendly and sweet. This curious girl loves all types of pets, leaning in for cheek and chin scratches or head pets, and purring with happiness. She also enjoys playing with various toys, having her beautiful fur brushed, and curling up on a soft blanket for naps. Rollie is looking for a new home with plenty of places to explore, take cozy naps, and play while being showered with love and attention from her family. To learn more about Rollie, visit https://www.giveshelter.org/our-services/adoptable-shelter-animals/61318751?location=07-Cat%20Pre-Adoptable

PSA: Senior pets are seriously underrated.

Sure, they may have a few more birthdays under their collars (or in their whiskers!), but that just means they've had more time to perfect the art of being wonderful companions.

From playful pups who still love an adventure to affectionate cats who are experts in cozy cuddles, our senior pets have so much love left to give.

Come meet the amazing senior pets at DCHS. Spend a little time with them, get to know their unique personalities, and you just might discover your new best friend has a frosted face and a heart of gold. ❤️

There's nothing quite like the relief of seeing a lost pet back in the arms of the people who love them. This week's is all about those heartwarming moments. ❤️

In 2025, 739 lost pets were reunited with their families at Dane County Humane Society, including 484 dogs, 242 cats, and 13 other companion animals.

That's only part of the story.

Every day, our Front Office team helps people who've lost pets and those who've found them navigate the path back to one another. By providing guidance, sharing resources, and making connections between neighbors, they help hundreds of additional animals return home each year without ever needing to enter the shelter.

Whether a happy reunion happens in our lobby or out in the community, every one is a reminder of what's possible when people come together to help a lost pet find its way home.

Congratulations to our newest dog training class graduates!

A big round of applause to the pups and their people who recently completed our Loose Leash Walking and Good Dog! Fundamentals classes. From building confidence and learning new skills to strengthening the bond between dogs and their families, we're so proud of everything you've accomplished.

Whether you're just getting started with a new puppy, looking to brush up on the basics, or ready to tackle a specific training goal, we offer classes for every stage of your dog's journey. Explore Dane County Humane Society's full lineup of training opportunities and find the perfect fit for you and your four-legged friend!

It's ! Help us put our paws together for the wonderful team from Certco Inc, who recently joined us for one of our Group Volunteer Experiences.

During their time at our shelter, they tackled a big project, labeling hundreds canned food donations with expiration dates to make them easy for our team to identify at a glance. Their hard work helps us stay organized, save time, and focus on caring for the animals.

Thank you to the Certco team for rolling up your sleeves and making a difference for the pets in our care!

Interested in a Group Volunteer Experience? Learn how your team can get involved by visiting: www.giveshelter.org/gve.

Happy ! We have great news to share about Monarch, the Peregrine Falcon!

It’s been about three weeks since Monarch underwent surgery to stabilize his fractured leg after his first flight attempt from Madison Gas and Electric’s Blount Generating Station, and he’s making excellent progress!

Earlier this week, veterinarians determined his leg had healed enough to remove his external fixator and surgical pins. But his recovery isn't done yet.

Monarch will remain on strict cage rest for at least one more week to give his leg time to strengthen. If his recovery continues on track, he’ll move into a mew — a specialized outdoor rehabilitation enclosure — where he'll have limited activity to avoid putting too much stress on his leg.

To read more about his rehabilitation journey, visit www.giveshelter.org/falcon

Your closet called. It’s ready for some DCHS gear.

Choose your favorite design, then customize it with the style and color you like best. Whether you’re looking for a cozy sweatshirt, a classic T-shirt, or something in between, you can find the perfect way to show your support.

A portion of every purchase helps us provide comfort and care to our animals.

Shop today at: www.bonfire.com/store/dchs

Have you ever wondered what an adoption fee covers? DCHS is a private, donor-supported nonprofit that relies, in part, on adoption fees to help pay for the cost of comfort, care, and, if necessary, medical needs and behavioral rehabilitation. Adoption fees also cover:

For dogs:
• Spay or neuter surgery
• DA2PP (Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza), Rabies (when age appropriate), and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations
• Flea and tick treatment and dewormer
• Heartworm test for adult dogs
• Microchip
• Additional vaccines and veterinary care as needed

For cats:
• Spay or neuter surgery
• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia) and Rabies (when age appropriate) vaccinations
• Flea and tick treatment and dewormer
• Microchip
• Additional vaccines and veterinary care as needed

For rabbits:
• Spay or neuter surgery
• Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 vaccinations

To learn more about adoption fees, click here: https://www.giveshelter.org/our-services/adopt/adoption-process/adoption-fees

To see animals available for adoption, visit www.giveshelter.org/adopt or stop by when we're open from noon to 7:00 pm on Thursday (7/22).