News

Adult cats (6 months and over) adoption fees are reduced to $10!

Applications must be submitted in advance (you can find applications on the website www.furrypets.com)

The shelter is still open by appointment only. Please call us with any questions! 

We would like to thank all of the amazing businesses & individuals who donated for our Benefit Auction! Our Fall Auction raised over $7,600 and we are incredibly grateful for all of the support from our community!

Please - if you saw a local business or artist on our Benefit Auction, make sure to support them! These donors make a huge impact for all non-profit organizations. This event could not have happened without the support of the following donors:

Judy Joles Locke

Sarah Christianson

Sally Thayer

Jim Daenicke

Tracy FairFrei

Russell & Nancy Putnam

Mary & Arlyn

Steve & Jill Patraw

Wes & Jayne Schoepke

Marathon Town & Country Store (Wausau)

Juliana Palmcook

Derek Krzanowski

Pam Pophal Albrecht

Power House Lawn & Leisure of Merrill

Northwoods Maple Farm

Deena Rathbun

Polka Dotted Pie (Merrill)

Johnson's of Merrill

Maria's Family Care

Seven Oaks Bodywork & Massage

David & Hope Linke

Sherry Fritz

George & Christine Brahos

Chip's Hamburgers of Merrill

The Beacon of Merrill - Mike Grunenwald, Manager

Jayne Thiel

Jenny Miner

Brad's Guide Service

Lora Reichelt

KC Switlick

Waid's Funeral and Cremation Service of Merrill

In honor of Johanna Osness Hoerstmann by family & friends

 $20 per ticket! Only 350 tickets will be sold!

Saturday, November 28

Merrill Eagle's Club (1205 Lake St)

6pm-8pm Snacks & Door Prizes & Raffles!

Official drawing at 7pm - need not be present to win

Prizes: 1st $300, 2nd $200, 3rd-4th $100, 5th-9th $75, 10th-15th $50

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please call LCHS at 715-536-3459 

We would like to thank the following donors for their support in August! We greatly appreciate your support!

Meghan Stevenson

Lawrence Ekdahl

Cecil Ballou

James Parsons

Candice Jacobson

Nadine Appel

Carol Peterson & Alice Andraski

Diana Berenz

Tina Carrier

Kathleen Nelson

Pamela Welch

Janet Selnes

Heidi Haltinner

Darlene LaBorde

Sharon Fritz

Irvin & Cheryl Fick

Bruce & Kathleen Shepherd

Jean & James Fabry

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Barbara & Andrew Zynda

Dan Lara

Tasha Wassink

Gwen Hardie-Bauer

Network for Good

Amy Hameister 

Richard Jeske

Kathleen Swope

Lorraine & Paul Smith

 Remember to shop at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate to LCHS! We recently received $125.84 as a result of your support! Thank you! 

AmazonSmile Link:

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/39-1278307

We are excited to announce that regardless of the chaos of 2020, LCHS has still worked to achieve our goals of helping animals! So far this year:

22 cats and 62 dogs have been reunited with their owners

17 small animals/reptiles, 310 cats/kittens and 96 dogs/puppies have been adopted

Thanks to everyone who has continued to support LCHS during this time! We are incredibly grateful to all our volunteers and donors! 

We would like to thank everyone who donated in honor of a loved one in August! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Dallas Winter by The Winter Family

Gloria Svetlik by Tom & Linda Tompach

Margaret Robl by Nancy Burgener

Joe Vgolint by Gwen Schmidt

Stubby's 75th Birthday by Tina & Nick Larson

Chloe Snaz by Marta & Stephen Loos

Fender Olson by Marta & Stephen Loos

Gail Curran by David & Sue Pyan 

Nathalie Tank by Mary La Haie, David Kapszukiewiz, John & Lynn Muhvich, Barbara Hunger

To make up for some of our cancelled fundraisers, LCHS will be hosting a benefit auction October 15-19. All items will be posted on facebook and all bidding will occur on facebook. Please use this link (you may have to copy and paste) to join the facebook page dedicated to the LCHS Benefit Auction - https://www.facebook.com/groups/279703646377102/?epa=SEARCH_BOX 

We are in need of prizes for the Auction! If you are interested in donating, please contact LCHS at 715-536-3459. Thank you! 

There will be a variety of auction prizes and we will post details about the prizes, the minimum bids, and any other information soon! Thank you all for your continued support! We could not do this wihtout you! 

Here is some information about the upcoming auction:

1. Bid in increasing increments of $5

2. Create a new facebook comment when bidding - a facebook reply may be missed

3. No deleting a bid - if you bid on the wrong item, message us to correct it

4. If you back out on a bid you win, you may be banned from future auctions

5. There will be a minimum starting bid on all auction items

6. Remember, this is an auction, and all money raised goes directly to the animals of the shelter. These funds help us provide medical care, spay and neuter surgeries, and enrichment for the animals here.

7. Bid HIGH and bid OFTEN. Feel free to tag friends or cheer on other people bidding. Rude or negative comments will be immediately deleted. 

8. No promoting you own items for sale on the auction site.

9. Please understand LCHS staff will be working with the animals and doing other jobs during the auction time. We will do our best to answer questions right away but sometimes there will be a delay. 

10. Auction items must be paid for via Paypal or over the phone with credit card by calling 715-536-3459. Make sure to note the Item Number if you pay via Paypal. We do not have a cash/check payment option. 

11. Some items will not be available for shipping. We will list whether shipping is available or not on each item as it is posted. Shipping may be at the buyer's expense.

12. We appreciate your support as we navigate new ways to raise money for our shelter pets! Please remember, we are all in this together and we incredibly grateful for all you to help homeless animals in our community! 

 We would like to thank everyone for working with LCHS to donate aluminum cans in Tomahawk! In August, we received $326.55 as a result of the can donation in Tomahawk!

Please note, LCHS will not be accepting aluminum cans at our facility. Although we are not accepting aluminum cans at LCHS, the Hometown Feed Mill & General Store in Tomahawk does have a trailer available for can donation.

LCHS will not transport cans so if you decide to donate cans, you must deliver them to the trailer in Tomahawk.

Thank you for your understanding and support!

We would like to thank everyone who donated in honor of a loved one in July! Your support is greatly appreciated! 

Fred Pester & Tucker from Ken & Gay Baumann, Juli-Kay Baumann, Steven & Linda Baumann, Brian & Chelle Baumann, Jodeen Baumann

Johanna Hoerstmann by Karen Severt, Barbara Hanson

Gus Osness by Karen Severt

Jean Osness by Karen Severt

Jane Wright by W.D. & Marie Schultz

Dorothy Malmarawski by Dennis & Patricia Jeske

Robert Friedenfels by Darla Sann, Mary Bootz & Arlyn Hintz, Josh & Jennifer Bootz, Sarah & Scott Christianson, Jason & Suzy Bootz, The Nicholson Family, Julie Osness-Thorson, Debbie Harris, Carl & Mary Moscherosch, Colleen & Larry Woller 

Mike Krueger by Our Way, Inc

Bree by Rick & Judith Lombard

Chris & Erin Vesselmann's Wedding by David Vesselmann

Joyce Hartzke by Colleen & Larry Woller 

Bucky by Angela Bailey 

Grandma Lila Schleif by Sophie 

We would like to thank the following donors for their support in July! We are incredibly grateful for their generosity!

Meghan Stevenson

Lawrence Ekdahl

Jean Dorsey

Carol Peterson & Alice Andraski

Cecil Ballou

Laura Derks

Dawn Faber

Nadine Appel

Katie Feltz

Diana Berenz

Sandy Mauser

Allison & Floyd Dean

Rachel Nawrocki

Town of Schley

Janet Selnes

Pamela Welch 

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Eileen & Jeffrey Frencin

Dan Lara

David & Carol Finanger

Jean Perkins

Network for Good

Tasha Wassink

Amy Hameister

Tomahawk Farmer's Market Corp

Penny Callahan

Mary Jaax

Ed & Sharon's Restaurant

Claire Hillmeyer

We would like to thank everyone for the incredible amount of blankets and towels that have been donated recently! The shelter is currently out of storage space for blankets and towels so we cannot accept any towels or blankets right now. Thank you for your continued support! 

We would like to thank all of the wonderful families who recently applied for the Shepherd mix puppies! The puppies are all adopted!

We received so many applications that unfortunately, we do not have enough puppies for each potential adopter. 

If you would like to be put on a waiting list for puppies/dogs in the future, please submit an application by emailing a completed application to manager@furrypets.com. 

Our wonderful volunteers, Debbie & Marlene, will be selling masks on Friday August 7th at County Market in Merrill. All the proceeds will be donated to LCHS. Masks are $5 each and there are a variety of sizes and colors. Debbie & Marlene will be at County Market selling masks from 2:30-4:45pm.

We would like to thank the donor who made the masks for the sale, Debbie & Marlene for hosting the sale, and County Market for allowing us to sell masks at their store! We greatly appreciate the support! 

We would like to thank the following donors for their support in June! We greatly appreciate the support!

Rachel Werner

Lawrence Ekdahl

Lisa Henkelman

Meghan Stevenson

Chris Albrecht

Eileen & Jeffrey Frencin

Nadine Appel

Randy Plantenberg

Cecil Ballou

Kronenwetter Veterinary Care

Katie Feltz

Diana Berenz

Kelly Rushing

Marlene Aschbrenner

Sarah Christianson

Phyllis Berthiaume

Richard Watroba

Debra Grawien

Hilda Bukovic

Janet Selnes

Pamela Welch

Christine Ziegler

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Dan Lara

Tasha Wassink

Amy Hameister

Aneesa Schaeffer

Peggy & Bob Bauman

Gerald & Carrie Jones

Network for Good (Facebook)

Provident Group Inc

Heather Keso & Steven Wood

Maxine & Jay Tlusty 

We would like to thank everyone who donated in honor of a loved one in June! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Lisa Jo Waldburger by Barbara Mikeal, Virginia Rochon, Our Way Inc, Gerald & Nancy Kunkel 

Audrey Nunamaker by Julie & Alan Coss

Margaret Robl by Julie & Alan Coss

Crystal Josiger by Julie & Alan Coss

Cari Sauter by Betty Denzin, Marlene Henrichs, Sally Thayer, Wendy Rausch

Joyce Harzke by Carol Osness, Mary Beth Sabatke, Bonnie Wiesmann

Noel Pregont by Kathryn Krohn-Gill, Terry Vander Heiden, Fidelity Charitable 

Ken Tupa Sr.'s Birthday by Family & Friends

Jerry O'Connor by Joanne Manaras, Jean & William Garvey,  Mary Anne & Robert James Nichols, MD

Bailey Jean Lambrecht by Jolene Callahan, Julie & Alan Coss

Jesse Callahan by Jolene Callahan

Thomas Thompson Sr by Gene & Pam Mohrland, Jeremy & Jan Thompson, Rodger & Donna Thompson 

Reese Conrad by Ron & Rose-Marie Peterson, Beatrice Lebal, Phynette & Vincent Conrad

Anna Mae Crowell by Gregory & Mary Beth Gane

Ron Ohlmann by Paul & Patricia Peters

Bree Lombard by Norman & Cheryl Moeller

Marie Wiesmann by Bonnie Wiesmann

Mike Krueger by Bonnie Pophal

Norman Narron by Robert Narron

Natalie Griffie by Robert Narron

Bella By Robert Narron

Alice Jacobson by the Fries Family

Did you know more pets go missing on July 4^th than any other day of the year? Below are some tips to keep your pets safe this Fourth of July.

• Don’t bring your pets to the fireworks

• Never leave your pet in the car during fireworks

• Don’t leave doggie doors open or pets outside in the yard

   

• Take your dog on a long walk before the fireworks

• Leave your pet at home in a safe environment

• Provide plenty of water, toys, and a safe chew

• Close windows, lower blinds, and play some soothing music

• Microchip your pets

• Keep collars with ID tags on your pet at all times

We are incredibly grateful to the many supporters that donate & raise money for LCHS through Facebook. This is a great support of LCHS - in June we received $1,705! Each month, a check is distributed from Facebook's "Network for Good" program with the money donated during the previous month. 

Unfortunately, we are not provided with a list of donors or the donation event that solicited the donations for LCHS. We are not ignoring the generous support of so many people who chose LCHS as their charity for birthday and holiday fundraisers, we are unable to list the donors because Facebook keeps the donations anonymous. So please, do not hesitate to donate to LCHS via Facebook, just be aware that we will not receive the donor information on our end.

If you do decide to donate or do a fundraiser for LCHS and would like us to post a photo or recognition, we are happy to post it so please contact us! Thank you for your continued support! 

We are sad to announce LCHS will be cancelling the ATV/UTV Ride on July 25. Due to the amount of local business that donate prizes and sponsor the event, we did not want to put any additional strain on these organizations that may have been impacted by the pandemic. 

Please continue to show your support for your local businesses - these organizations are the heart of non-profits. Thank you for your on-going support of our shelter animals. We are grateful for the generosity of the community! 

We would like to thank the following donors for their support in April & May! We appreciate everyone's generosity!

Meghan Stevenson

Nadine Appel

Hilda Bukovic

Lawrence Ekdahl

Town of Schley

Donald & Terri Koch

Cecil Ballou

John & Vicki Kuester

Kenneth Ronk

Deidre Dreger

John Schaffer

James Rehwinkel

Melissa Habeck

Rick & Judith Lombard

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Diana Berenz

Valerie Wykes

Carol & John Avelis

Janet Selnes

Pamela Welch

Dan Lara

Rhonda Robinson

Michael & Tracy Gengalo

Patricia Oelke & Barbara Ringwelski

Brenda Ziemke

Network For Good

Edward Gruett

Tasha Wassink

Lori Weiderhoeft

Maxine & Jay Tlusty

Mardell Penca

Coleen Sukow

James Parsons

Amy Hameister

Hugh Gross

Jennifer Heyel

Tina Rydzik

Norman & Cheryl Moeller

Fred Stoll

Mary & Daniel Schiltz

Shannon Thomas

Connie Sandberg

Schulz Heating & Cooling

Fidelity Charitable

Joanne & Donald Sprague

David Brand

Michelle Bennish

Jean Fennell

Allen & Stephanie Ashbeck

Judy Hall

Brenda Ronk

Brenda Huse

Shirley & James Westra

Linda Semling Peterson

Nadine Appel

Merrill Area United Way, Inc

Scott Steele

Amy Butterworth

Pam Breuer

Katina Rusch

Dick & Gay Baumgart

Carol Peterson & Alice Andraski

Janet Selnes

Katelynn Parenteau

Laurie Frank

Colleen Woller

Eileen & Jeffrey Frencin

Russell & Nancy Putnam

AmazonSmile

Connie Gulke

Faye Semling

Bill & Carol Sparr

If you adopted a dog or cat shortly before or during the lockdown period and your pet was due for a booster with its distmeper combo vaccine, LCHS is now scheduling appointments for the booster vaccine. This is only for animals adopted from LCHS between March-May that did not receive a booster vaccine due to the closures from the coronavirus. 

Please call LCHS at 715-536-3459 or email us at manager@furrypets.com to set up an appointment for the booster vaccine. When you call or email, please provide your name and contact information, as well as the name of the animal when it was at the shelter and the basic description of the animal. 

Thank you for your patience! 

Summer is finally here!  This means a great increase in injured or orphaned wildlife.  But things are not always as they seem.  There are many times where a human's well meaning intervention actually can do more harm than good. 

An easy way to make sure you're making the right choice is to contact an expert right away. By saving wildlife rehabilitation phone numbers into your phone today, you have the resource you may need in the future.  If you're at the park and find a baby bird or if you're driving and you see a fawn in a ditch on the side of the road, you'll know exactly who to call for answers.  So pull out your phone right now and save these numbers:

Northwoods Wildlife Center (Minocqua) 715-356-7400

Raptor Education Group (Antigo) 715-623-4015

Wild Instincts (Rhinelander) 715-362-9453

This simple step may help you to save a life one day!

We would like to thank everyone who donated in honor of a loved one in April & May! We greatly appreciate your support! 

Leroy Gilson by Dennis & Elizabeth Scherwinski, Marsha Gilson, T & K Krueger, Julie & Alan Coss, James & Brenda Langerman, Kathleen Monnot, John & Karen Staff

Jim Roth by Leesa Roth

Debbie Burris by Bill & Carol Sparr

Charles Heise by Scott Brainard

Margaret Robl by Amy Ives

Barb Nordall by Jane Hart

Sadie by Sandra Ratkovich 

Jeff Krueger by Bonnie Pophal, Peggy Bauman

Crystal Josiger by Church Mutual Insurance Company

Marget Robl by Steve & Kim Hehling

Johanna Hoerstmann by Richard & Elayne Ollmann, Patricia Travis, The Thorson Family

Mason's 6th Birthday by Brett & Carmen Klug

Margaret Robl by Janet Beyer-Thums, Richard & Elayne Ollmann, Craig Schultz & Margaret McCabe-Schultz

Kassie Boyce's Birthday by John Oatman Jr. & Jean Oatman

Wayne Heeren by Jennifer Gabriel

Marilyn Stiver by Den Stiver

Darlene Woodward by Judith Reich

William "Bill" Kollath by Susan VanDerGeest

Robert Smith by Michele & Richard Moyer

Ella May by Debbie Alvin

Chad Blake by Ronald & Davell Kunza

Diesel, the English Setter, and Maxi by William & Joanne Wengeler

Robert Smith by Matthew Smith 

Dian Steinfest by Carol & Irving Bork, Daniel & Sandra Sukow

Sandy Schmidt by Nancy Porath

Cari Sauter by Patricia Briquelet

Joyce Hartske by Faye Meier

Dave Kopanske by Ronald & Beth Kautz

We would like to thank all of our amazing volunteers for your patience and understanding in recent months! We are incredibly grateful for your on-going support of our shelter and its animals.

While things have been unusually quiet at LCHS, this has given us some time to address future policies and ways we can improve.

One of the main changes will occur in our volunteer program. LCHS has always been very relaxed, volunteers could visit any time during open hours with no advance notice. ALthough this had advantages for visiting famillies, often we would see dozens of volunteers in one day and then have no one come to walk dogs or visit cats for several days in a row. Once LCHS officially reopens, our new policy will require volunteers submit the volunteer application in advance and volunteers will now follow a schedule and will undergo a brief training to learn more about the facility and how we operate. This simple change will help us to ensure the animals have daily enrichment and volunteers do not have to wait at the facility for an opening to volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering once the shelter is open to the public, please call us at 715-536-3459 or email us at manager@furrypets.com.

We understand different volunteers have different abilities and interests so we intend to work with each volunteer to make the experience at LCHS a great fit.

      We would like to thank Schofield's Dollar Tree for donating 20+ boxes of supplies for the animals of LCHS! We greatly appreciate the support and donation of much-needed cat and dog food, toys, and treats for the animals! 

We are sad to announce our Annual Fall Banquet will be cancelled for 2020. Due to the incredible amount of local businesses that donate prizes and sponsor the event, we did not want to put any additional strain on these organizations that may have been impacted by the pandemic. This event is the biggest fundraiser for LCHS each year and the banquet often raises more than $25,000 so please continue to support LCHS.

Please continue to show your support for your local businesses - these organizations are the heart of non-profits. Local businesses donate and assist so many non-profits, without them most fundraisers would be impossible. 

Thank you for your on-going support of our shelter animals. We are grateful for the generosity of the community! 

 OUR AUCTION RAISED $5,815! THANK YOU ALL! 

We would like to thank the many sponsors who donated prizes for our online Benefit Auction. Due to many fundraisers being cancelled, this Benefit Auction became a way to offset some of the financial loss. We are so happy to report that our community again answered our call for help. The Auction has been very popular and many people have bid far beyond the minimum bid. Many new donors came forward with items for the auction. People shared and posted and promoted the Auction all over Facebook. Our community's generosity and support is always inspiring, and once again, we thank you for caring so much about homeless animals. You are their voice and you are our strength. Thank you! 

Our LCHS Benfit Auction Sponsors:

7 Oaks Bodywork & Massage

Ashley Boyd

Wes Schoepke

Sara Stevenson

Iron Raven Tattoo

Jennifer & Jaxon Bootz

Moments Foster Care

Dr. Karen Johnson

Derek Krzanowski

Judy Joles Locke

Riverwood Originals of Gleason

Tim & Deena Rathbun

Jenny Miner

Tomahawk Furniture

Kaitlynn Krzanowski

Jim Daenicke

Stubby & Sally Thayer

Marathon Town & Country

Karen Mootz

Lora Reichelt

Ken & Sally Tupa

Trina DeLasky

Kari Kercher

Shirley Harper

Tanya Kleinschmidt

Cindy Markowski

We would like to thank our Platinum Sponsor, Skutak Dental of Rothschild, for donating so many amazing items for the Auction. Thank you, Skutak Dental, for your continued support! 

While the Essential Business Order is still in effect for Wisconsin, LCHS remains closed except for adoptions, redemptions (reclaiming your own animal that was brought in as a stray), and incoming strays or surrenders from Lincoln County.

Before the COVID-19 concerns, LCHS sometimes had as many as 50 people visit in one day! We greatly miss our volunteers and we're looking forward to seeing you all again soon! But for now, unfortunately, we aren't able to have volunteers visit with the cats or walk dogs. We know our volunteers miss visiting with the animals and we want to assure you that our staff is still providing great care and making sure the animals get some extra TLC during this time. 

We are also very thankful to all of our donors for understanding the modified policies - we are asking that non-monetary items be placed into a tote outside our front door (there are tax receipts in an envelope attached to the tote) and monetary donations be sent through standard mail or completed online. Many of our regular donors would visit in person and then spend some time with the animals of the shelter. We are sad this isn't an option at this time but again, we thank you all for your ongoing support and generosity! 

We are also saddened that LCHS can no longer accept aluminum can donations. In the past, this has been a great fundraiser for us. Unfortunately due to the health risks for our staff and volunteers, can donations will be discontinued until further notice. We do not have a set time in mind to begin can donations again but we will post any updates on our website and facebook page. Several people have contacted LCHS to ask what to do with aluminum cans - if you are willing to take the cans to a local recycling facility (Alter Metals in Wausau, Tomahawk Iron & Metal, or TerX Recycling in Brokaw), you can have the check written to LCHS and donate the money from the cans. 

We appreciate your patience and support during this time! We will see each other again soon. Stay safe! 

As LCHS begins to adapt to new fundraising challenges in the months, we would like to keep everyone updated and get your feedback. 

Our ATV/UTV Ride is still scheduled as previously planned for July 25. We will post more updates as we get closer to the event. 

LCHS is planning a Benefit Auction for May. The Benefit Auction will occur on facebook and payments must be through Paypal or call-in credit card payments. More details coming soon! If you are interested in donating a prize, please call us at 715-536-3459. 

We are also considering new dates for our 5K Walk for Whiskers. We will keep everyone posted!

We want to thank you all for your continued support during this difficult time. Many non-profits are facing challenges we never considered before and we appreciate your patience and guidance during this time. The animals thank you! 

We would like to thank everyone who donated in honor a loved one in March! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Sally Tupa by Lora Reichelt

Floran "Tuffy" Pfuhl by Gwen Carlson, Jacklyn Akey

Christie's Birthday by Laura Singsime

Nancy Podgorski by Anita Norton-Heil

Callie by Marlene Graap

Darlene Woodward's 80th Birthday by Dennis & Joanne Brandner

LeRoy Gilson by Ron Gilson, Andrew Carlson, Tammy & Timothy Woller, Joan Scharbius, Mary Scharbius, Deborah Crass, David & Pammie Wangerin

Shirley Westra by Beth Westra, Ed Wasserstrom

Ruth Harbath by Brenda Zettler

Kathy Gruett by Beverly Dietz

Kenny Ellenbecker by Johnille Alft

Donald Buntrock by Jerry & Lynn Marrier

Claire Kufahl's Birthday by David & Carol Finanger, Timothy Kufahl

Peggy Trantow by Anonymous

Diesel Wengeler by Kirsten Wengeler

Jerry O'Connor by Joan Nygaard

Elsie Zietlow by Peggy Bauman

Donald Buntrock by Mariann & Steve Hanig, Jerry & Lynn Marrier

We would like to thank the following donors for their support in March! We greatly appreciate everyone's generosity!

Leslie & Cindy Hojnacki

Ingrid Erickson

Meghan Stevenson

Aqua Finance, Inc

Marjorie Hanna

Hillside Hideaway

Lawrence Ekdahl

Cecil Ballou

Danielle Gilbert

Nadine Appel

Frontstream

Candice Jacobson

Jerry & Susan Zastrow

Jodene Lokemoen

Amber Charlton

Diana Berenz

Janet Selnes

Pamela Welch

Amy Fromm

Graebel Companies - Pot of Good Donation Drive

Daniel Theiler

Dan Lara

Brett Klug

Tasha Wassink

T.B. Scott Library

Network for Good (Facebook)

Amy Hameister

Laura Norton 

Nancy Clinton

Maxine & Jay Tlusty

Jean Fennel

Rose Lynd

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

We would like to thank everyone who donated in honor of a loved one in February! We greatly appreciate your support!

Tony Boigt by Arlene Boigt

Sandy Schmidt by Karen & Douglas Drost, Beth & Dale Jankowsky, Dawn Koehler

Kenny Ellenbecker by Diane Belter, Kim Schwartz, Diane Peterson, Donald Koester, Blair Hubbard, Carol Bartz, A. Huber, Scott & Rebecca Mackin

Bev Simon by Steven & Virginia Drew

Loren White by Leesa Roth

Chad Blake by Kathleen Livingston

Miss Penny by Donald & Jeannette Chamberlain

Mike Josiger by Karen & Maurice Abraham

Nancy Podgorski by Dale & Sandy Gerlach, Byron & Cynthia Miller, Stanley & Sherrie Podgorski, Jennifer Schwede, Walter & Joanie Carston, Mary Jo Macswain, Cindy & William Brandl, Duane & Mary Stremlau,             Jim & Sara Pinsonneault, Thomas & Julie Leslie, Brian & Denise Hackbarth, George Henrich Sr.

Roxy the dog by Bill & Carol Sparr

Eunice Daenicke by Marjorie Herman

Callie the kitty by Ron & Rose-Marie Peterson, Barbara Kampstra

Fred Yutuc by Park City Realty

Sue Kufahl by James & Beth Badeau

Floran "Tuffy" Pfuhl by Michelle Becker, Darla Sann, Jeffrey Anderson, W.L. & Mary Fisher

We would like to thank the following donors for their support in February! We are incredibly grateful!

Meghan Stevenson

Cecil Ballou

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Shannon Cagle

Nancy Specht

Diana Berenz

Hilda Bukovic

Lawrence Ekdahl

Nadine Appel

Rick & Judith Lombard

Lynn & Derek Archer

Margaret Fruend

Marcy Wiltgen

Town of King

Janet Selnes

Pamela Welch

Joel Schlereth

Dan Lara

Amazonsmile

Darla Sann

Barbara Rambo-Hartley

Tasha Wassink

Chad Jirovec

Angela & Patrick Bailey

Network for Good (Facebook)

Stefanie Carlson

Amy Hameister

Donald & Sarah Litzer

Bruce & Janis Krueger

Dawn Gourlie

Diane Witscheber

Kerry Hass

The Lincoln County Humane Society will be closed until further notice, effective immediately. 

Based on the latest requiements regarding esesntial businesses, we will be closing to the public but will continue our daily operates to ensure the animals are cared for. We will work with our Board of Directors to determine when it is best to reopen. 

Call LCHS in advance at 715-536-3459 to make appointment for:

adoptions, reclaiming your own pet, stray/lost animals in Lincoln County, or surrendering a pet

Thank you for your patience & support!

The Lincoln County Humane Society will be closed until further notice, effective immediately.

Based on the latest requirements regarding essential businesses, we will be closing to the public but continue our daily operations to ensure the animals are cared for. We will work with our Board of Directors to determine when it is best to reopen.

Call LCHS in advance at 715-536-3459 to make appointments for:

-adoptions

-reclaiming an animal that was brought to LCHS as a stray

-a stray/lost animal in Lincoln County

-surrendering an animal

We are not accepting volunteers at this time

Non-monetary donations are still welcome - we encourage you to call in advance and deliver the items outside the front door of LCHS

Dog license sales will still occur but you must mail a copy of the rabies certificate, payment, and information for the dog license to LCHS at 310 N. Memorial Drive, Merrill WI 54452. You can purchase a dog license through your municipality. Please call LCHS for information if you decide to purchase the dog license through your municipality. We do not have any information regarding the State of Wisconsin's decision to extend the dog license sales. As far as we know, March 31 is still the last day to purchase a license.

Guidelines for potential visitors & customers to LCHS:

LCHS will be following our normal hours for now. Our shelter relies heavily on the efforts of volunteers and visits from the public. We do see a high volume off visitors during weekends and school breaks. However, to protect the health of our volunteers, staff, and community, we ask you visit only if:

-you plan to adopt an animal 

-you have a scheduled appointment to bring in your own animal to surrender

-you are reclaiming your own lost animal

-you have found a stray or lost animal in Lincoln County 

Please call ahead no matter the reason you intend to visit. You will be asked to wash your hands frequently throughout your visit. 

Please do not visit our shelter if:

-you have traveled to an area where coronavirus is spreading in the past 14 days.

-you have had direct contact with anyone confirmed to have COVID-19

-you have a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19

-feel sick - including cough, fever, difficulty breathing or flu-like symptoms

Our goal is to continue to operate with our mission - reuniting animals with owners and finding forever homes for the animals in our care. We will post available animals for adoption and continue to operate to the best of our ability. We are working on plans to ensure LCHS animals would be cared for in the event of an emergency.

Please make additional plans for your own pets at home. Make sure your pets are wearing proper identification tags, that you have crates, extra food, medications, or supplies at home, and you have a trusted family member or friend to care for your pet if you should become ill. 

Thank you for your understanding and support!

DOG LICENSE UPDATE - LCHS HAS SOLD OUT OF DOG LICENSES

The Lincoln County Humane Society has sold out of 2020 dog licenses. You are still able to purchase a 2020 dog license through your municipality.

As long as the dog license is purchased before March 31, there are no late fees. 

Spayed/neutered dog: $10

Unaltered dog: $30

You must provide a current copy of a rabies vaccine to your municipality in order to purchase a license.

The following link will connect you with the appropriate township to purchase a license:

co.lincoln.wi.us/county-clerk/page/munipalities

We would like to thank the Rotary Club of Merrill for choosing LCHS to be their 2020 Rotary Uncorked recipient! The event was a lot of fun and we are so grateful for the generosity of the Rotary Club!

We would like to thank the following donors for their support in January! We greatly appreciate the continued support!

Gary Schmidtz

Anonymous

Greg Fournier

Barbara Dalsky Dern

Carol Peterson & Alice Andraski

Lawrence Ekdahl

Inyo County Search & Rescue

Kris Ziegler

Cecil Ballou

Sarah & Matt Semling

James & Rosemary Schielke

Linda Weege

Gail Sadlier

Nadine Appel

Frontstream

Diana Berenz

Danny Yarger

Donna Preston

Paula Koelsch

Dawn & Frank Sus Jr

Kellie Nowack & Peanut

Kay Christensen

Pamela Welch

Janet Selnes

Dan Lara

Richard & Linda Kriewaldt

David & Lora Reichelt

Elizabeth Whalen

Network for Good

Theodore Indermuehle & Abby Trapp

Jay VanDerGeest

Tasha Wassink

Ronald Prey

Hilda Bukovic

Amy Hameister

Michael Ashlswede

Mark & Catherine Krupinski

Heather Ingman-Jirgl

David & Heidi Press

 The Rotary Club will be hosting Rotary Uncorked 2020 on Thursday, February 27 from 6pm-9pm at Les & Jim's Lincoln Lanes!

Tickets are $40 each (available at the Merrill Chamber of Commerce or Eventbrite) and include appetizers, dinner, music, live and silent auctions. The benefit goal is to raise fund for the Lincoln County Humane Society. 

Please join us in your best red & white attire! Please call the Merrill Chamber of Commerce with any questions. 715-536-9474

There are many ways to support LCHS in 2020! Adding one or more easy options can help support LCHS this year.

1. Did you know that you can support LCHS by shopping through the Amazon Smile Program? Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to LCHS. The products, prices, and services with Amazon Smile are the same. Check it out at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/39-1278307

2. You can also support LCHS by donating Fresh Step Paw Points. Your point donation from Fresh Step purchases must be submitted on their website and then LCHS is able to redeem the points for supplies! This link will give you more info - https://www.freshstep.com/paw-points/shelter/lincoln-county-humane-society-739/

3. Even if you can't adopt an animal, you can help one find a forever home by sponsoring the animal and reducing the expenses that contribute to the adoption fee. You can donate any amount to help cover the cost of adoption - some people pay a full adoption fee while others pay a small portion of multiple animals' adoption fees.

4. Donate with a monthly subscription using paypal. You can set the donation for any amount you chose! www.furrypets.com/2012/donate.php

5. Donate your Thrivent Choice dollars to LCHS! This link will take you to our donation option - https://service.thrivent.com/apps/ThriventChoiceMemberWeb/public/orgDetails/100244220503

6. Employees of UnitedHealth Group, United HealthCare, and Optum can donate to LCHS through Benevity! Benevity issues tax receipts to donors and sends recipient organizations monthly disbursements. If you are employed with one of these groups, please check out http://causes.benevity.org

7. Donate your time as a LCHS volunteer. There are so many options for volunteering - events, cleaning, socializing animals. Volunteering does not require a weekly time commitment . There are many ways you can begin -  helping with events, driving animals to appointments, and more! Contact LCHS if you would like to help.

8. Ask your employer if they offer a partnership or matching gift program that would double your donations to LCHS.

9. Sponsor an event or donate a prize for a fundraiser raffle! LCHS has many great events throughout the year and the support of the community is what makes our events successful!

10. Attend LCHS fundraisers! This is our plan for 2020 events (our website and facebook page have more details about each event):

Soup & Chilli Cook-Off 2/22/20

Walk for Whiskers 5K 5/9/20

Cruisin' for Critters All Vehicle Poker Run 6/13/20

UTV/ATV Poker Run Ride 7/25/20

Barn Dance at Willow Springs Garden 9/11/20

11th Annual Fall Banquet 10/10/20

Please think of the animals at LCHS during your holiday shopping! We are always in need of donations!

WISH LIST

Catnip & Cat Toys

Laundry Detergent

Cat Litter (non-scoopable)

DURING THIS TERRIBLE COLD, WE RECOMMEND ALL ANIMALS ARE BROUGHT INDOORS.

Cold weather is as difficult for animals as it is for people. When the weather is below freezing, the Lincoln County Humane Society highly recommends keeping your pets indoors. Being outdoors in freezing temperatures is a huge health risk to pets, and causes severe stress.

But if you must keep your pets outdoors, please follow these recommendations to help keep them safe and comfortable.

Feeding:

1.    Feed high quality foods with essential fatty acids to help outdoor dogs and cats maintain a thick coat of fur in the winter. Some veterinarians even recommend adding canola oil, soybean oil, or butter or fish oils directly to the dry food a pet receives. Check with your local veterinarian to see what’s safe and most beneficial to your pet.

2.    Increase food supply, especially protein, to help keep a healthy weight. If your pet is overweight, this is not recommended.

3.    Provide a heated water bowl for pets. Eating snow is not enough to prevent dehydration and it will cause hypothermia more quickly because it drops your pet’s body temperature.

4.    Don’t use metal bowls for food or water because your pet’s tongue may stick to the metal.

5.    Check frequently to make sure the water and food aren’t frozen.

Bedding:

1.    Make sure all pets, but especially, senior or arthritic pets have thick beds to in a warm area to keep their joints from hurting more.

2.    Keep beds off of concrete or the floor. 

3.    Use straw for bedding instead of towels, blankets, and newspaper which retain cold and moisture.

4.    Make sure your pet has an insulated house. It should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn but not too large or it won’t help conserve body heat.

5.    The pet’s house should be kept a few inches off the ground and covered with straw. The opening should be facing away from the wind and there should be a plastic cover on the door.

General:

1.    Makesure your pet’s fur is free of matts and burrs. Matted fur won’t protect as well from the cold.

2.    Don’t use regular road salt near your pet, make sure to have a pet safe variety to prevent injury and irritation on delicate paw pads.

Have you lost your pet? We may have him/her at the shelter. It is our sincere wish that you and your pet are reunited as soon as possible. Therefore, we will do all we can to expedite the process.

We encourage you to call at 715-536-3459 as soon as you realize your pet is missing. Please be sure to check back frequently when inquiring about a lost pet. Reports may only be held for 30 days if we do not receive a second phone call requesting the information be kept on file. Bringing pictures and detailed descriptions of your pet will increase the chances of being reunited.

In addition to calling LCHS, please call the Sheriff's Department at 715-536-6272. We also recommend contacting as many local shelters as possible, as well as the websites and facebook pages "Lost Cats of Wisconsin" or "Lost Dogs of Wisconsin."

To reclaim your pet, you will be required to comply with LCHS municipal contracts and the Wisconsin State Statute #173.23. THe following requirements apply when redeeming your pet:

1. Your dog or cat must have a current rabies vaccination certificate. If your pet does have this vaccine or you cannot locate the proof of it, you will need to purchase a vaccination from a licensed veterinarian and bring the proof of purchase and appointment date. This requirement applies regardless of the age of the animal

2. A current dog license with the municipality you live in. If the dog is not current on its rabies vaccine, the license must be purchased but you will need to contact the County Treasurer to update the vaccine information on the license

3. A driver's license (or photo identification)

4. Purchase or verification of an existing identification tag

5. Full payment of any redemption fees or medical expenses. This fee may be $35 for the first day and $15 each additional day; additional medical expenses may apply

6. The seventh day an animal is in our custody, it is considered the property of the Lincoln County Humane Society

7. If there is a police order for an animal to remain in our care, the animal will not be relinquished to an owner without permission of the police

We would like to thank everyone who donated in honor of a loved one in October! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Barb Nordall by Thomas Ravn, Timothy & Kathleen McFadden, Maxine & Jay Tlusty, Jan & Ken Molaska, Charles & Marsha Phelps, Lora Walters, Judy Greene, Randy & Kathleen Frokjer, Kristine Smith, Jo Ann & Thomas Schuster, Bernice Zywicki, Daniel & Sara Heisler, John & Jayne Donner, Chris & Heather Greene, Kenneth & Eileen Schmidt, Eric & Jackie Hendrickson, Joanne Kolar, Danny Nordall

William "Bill" Bauman by Jim & Mary Downing

Maratha Mackin by Jim & Mary Downing

Charles Heise by Matthew & Allison Fitzgerald, Jennifer & Rob Fox, Peter & Kim Susens, Gaylon & Shirley Heise, Judy & Bruce Harms, M.D.

Trina Sorce by Renee Alery

Maye Grob by Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Inc

Jacob Armstrong by Renee Alery

Jessub Maahs by Roger & Marion Anderson

Karen Labbe by Rita & Larry Wilson

Debra Leiskau by Mable Fromfield, Arnie & Darlene Mathis, Don & Beverly Fromfield, Jacklyn Akey

Arnie Butkiewicz by Rita & Larry Wilson

Mae Woller's Birthday by Dixie Oberg

Ivanette Johnson by Michael & Sally Young

Gene Block by Jack & Helene Ader

Emma Gertschen by Jacki LaCerte

Sue Weith's Birthday by Richard & Brenda Mamer, Thomas & Thelma Meyer, Lynn Zenter, Russell & Mary Leyk, Ruth Heyne

Lynn Zenter's Birthday by Ruth Heyne, Thomas & Thelma Meyer, Russell & Mary Leyk, Sue Weith

Brenda Mamer's Birthday by Lynn Zenter, Russell & Mary Leyk, Thomas & Thelma Meyer, Sue Weith, Ruth Heyne

Johanna Hoerstmann by Michael & Sally Thayer, Mark & Kari Kercher, Debbie Alvin, Billy & Charity Fraaza, Christine & Dennis McCarthy, Tess Damitz, Michael & Leigh Loka, Matthew & Sally Mergendahl, Stephen & Nicole Lenhart, Kent & Tammy Latzig, Thomas Cimino, Scott & Sarah Christianson, Denise Severt, Liz Friedenfels, Carol Osness, Mary Bootz & Arlyn Hintz, Sharon Harvey, Karen Rau, Jonathon Gilbertson, Randy Osness

There will be some changes for the dog license process in 2020.

Due to the feedback of our community, residents will again be able to purchase a dog license when paying their tax bill. The license can be purchased through the town treasurer, city clerks of Merrill & Tomahawk, or the Lincoln County Humane Society. The resident must provide a current rabies vaccine for each dog being licensed. All dogs over 5 months are required to be licensed.

The license fees remain $10 for a spayed/neutered dog and $30 for an unaltered dog. You must purchase the license before March 31, otherwise late fees will apply. After March 31, the fees increase to $25 for a spayed/neutered dog and $65 for an unaltered dog.

Kennel licenses will no longer be sold at the Lincoln County Humane Society - kennel licenses will only be sold through the local townships.

Rememeber - a current rabies vaccination certificate must be provided before a license can be sold.

Cold weather is as difficult for animals as it is for people. When the weather is below freezing, the Lincoln County Humane Society highly recommends keeping your pets indoors. Being outdoors in freezing temperatures is a huge health risk to pets, and causes severe stress.

But if you must keep your pets outdoors, please follow these recommendations to help keep them safe and comfortable.

Feeding:

1.    Feed high quality foods with essential fatty acids to help outdoor dogs and cats maintain a thick coat of fur in the winter. Some veterinarians even recommend adding canola oil, soybean oil, or butter or fish oils directly to the dry food a pet receives. Check with your local veterinarian to see what’s safe and most beneficial to your pet.

2.    Increase food supply, especially protein, to help keep a healthy weight. If your pet is overweight, this is not recommended.

3.    Provide a heated water bowl for pets. Eating snow is not enough to prevent dehydration and it will cause hypothermia more quickly because it drops your pet’s body temperature.

4.    Don’t use metal bowls for food or water because your pet’s tongue may stick to the metal.

5.    Check frequently to make sure the water and food aren’t frozen.

Bedding:

1.    Make sure all pets, but especially, senior or arthritic pets have thick beds to in a warm area to keep their joints from hurting more.

2.    Keep beds off of concrete or the floor. 

3.    Use straw for bedding instead of towels, blankets, and newspaper which retain cold and moisture.

4.    Make sure your pet has an insulated house. It should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn but not too large or it won’t help conserve body heat.

5.    The pet’s house should be kept a few inches off the ground and covered with straw. The opening should be facing away from the wind and there should be a plastic cover on the door.

General:

1.    Make sure your pet’s fur is free of matts and burrs. Matted fur won’t protect as well from the cold.

2.    Don’t use regular road salt near your pet, make sure to have a pet safe variety to prevent injury and irritation on delicate paw pads.

The Annual Craft, Gift, & Bake Sale will be held this Saturday at the Pine River Town Hall (N1647 Deer Run Ave in Merrill) from 9am-3pm. This event raises thousands each year for the animals at LCHS!