Meet Marshfield Area Pet Shelter
Founded in 2011 by a group of concerned citizens, Marshfield Area Pet Shelter is Marshfield’s first humane organization. Funded solely by donations, MAPS is a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer based organization actively engaged in raising funds to build a permanent humane shelter for the greater Marshfield area.
The desire to start the planning and development of an animal shelter for the Marshfield area came when a small group of concerned citizens took the time to review the current process for handling stray animals for the city of Marshfield.
In reviewing the process, a necessity was realized; the Marshfield community desperately needed a humane pet shelter to call its own and more importantly, local pets deserve a higher quality of care than they had been afforded for many years.
With the passing of new Wisconsin legislation to protect dogs and their owners in June of 2011, and with the stray animals being taken to two separate animal control facilities, the timing was right to act on MAPS’ vision to build a safe haven for animals in need. A facility will provide a temperature controlled environment, getting pets out of extreme heat and cold conditions. It will allow MAPS to provide veterinary care, spay and neutering, socialization, microchipping and adoption screening for abandoned pets.
Furthermore, a shelter for the Marshfield area will allow MAPS to lend a hand to other area shelters, will serve as a community resource for all pet advocates, and provide educational opportunities to promote and increase responsible pet ownership.
With a board of directors, several shelter committees, a grant writing team, and a strong presence in the community, and through their foster care program, MAPS has saved the lives of numerous homeless animals and found them new forever homes before a shelter is built.
Fundraising events have been great successes, reinforcing the organization’s belief that the Marshfield community is ready and eager to embrace and support a humane effort to improve the quality of life for all animals. MAPS is thankful, inspired and encouraged by these generous donors and supporters. Because of MAPS, lives are spared from euthanasia and given a second chance.
In January 2013, MAPS acquired a parcel of land in the Air Business Park on Marshfield’s south side at the end of the cul-de-sac on Downwind Drive on which to build their new home. In June 2015, volunteers renovated a new temporary home in the former airport terminal at 210 W 29th Street.
MAPS is currently operating in this temporary home on W 29th Street and at an Adoption Center located inside the Marshfield Mall.
Open hours at the Adoption Center are Monday – Friday from 4:30-6:00 and Saturday from 11:00-2:00. Currently, there are no open hours at the location on 29th Street.
To learn more, visit http://www.marshfieldpetshelter.org/