Wabash County Animal Shelter
Our Mission
Our Mission Statement: to provide Wabash County with an animal shelter to protect dogs and cats from abuse and neglect, to find forever homes for unwanted dogs and cats, and to educate the public on proper animal care.
The Wabash County Animal shelter is a 501(c3) nonprofit facility that is not operated by the county. Its policies are determined by an operational volunteer board of directors.
The shelter is a limited animal entrance facility. More than 90% of the animals coming through the shelter doors are ultimately adopted into loving and caring homes, either directly from the shelter or through other agencies and rescues. This is above the industry standard definition of a "no-kill" shelter, a name which is a confusing misnomer for the general public.
As a "limited entrance" shelter, there is at times a waiting list for animal surrenders. There are inside kennel spaces for a total of 15 dogs with 4 additional outside kennels that are available only during the summer months. Two of the inside spaces are reserved for the law enforcement officers who might bring in a stray animal or one involved in a bite situation.
There are 16 large cages for adult cats, mothers with kittens or several kittens by themselves. The quarantine area can hold 12 cats and can be used at times for the adoptable overflow.
Animals brought in as strays or found animals are held for 3-5 days to allow for possible owner reclaim. After this time, dogs are tested for heartworm and cats for feline leukemia(FeLV) and feline Immunodeficiency virus(FIV). Both species are then given routine vaccinations including rabies. Animals who are healthy and exhibit no behavioral problems or issues are then available for adoption.
The shelter is a low-kill facility with animals being euthanized for primarily medical and behavioral reasons. Every effort is made utilizing a variety of resources to place all animals into new homes but , as dictated by the board based on average stays of animals, there has been a 60 day limit on some at which time, if they have not been adopted the are deemed unadoptable and may be euthanized.
When the shelter is at capacity, owner surrendered animals cannot be accepted and will be put on a waiting list until room is available. At times, even stray and found animals may be turned away.
As a nonprofit operation, the shelter relies on donations, both material and monetary to provide the services it gives.
We operate with a paid staff of 5 people, business manager, a full time operations manager, and 3 part-time animal associates. We currently have approximately 15 volunteers per month working a total of about 100 hours.
We take in about 61 animals per month. About 37 of those animals are adopted each month. Most of the rest are reclaimed by their owners or go to a rescue.
Each of these cats and dogs need care upon their arrival in our shelter. Our staff wouldn't be able to do this without help from our dedicated volunteers.
Volunteer roles include dog walking, offsite adoption events, kennel care, dog bathing, and facility maintenance,
We are a member of the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Please go to http://krogercommunityrewards.com/ to sign up. Call us for details. Our rewards number is 76621.
We are also a member of "Walk for a Dog" by WoofTrax. Check your smart phone apps store and select us as your shelter of choice. We earn money when you walk your dog!!
Our "Hope for the Helpless Fund", established in memory of a Wabash resident, provides non-routine medical care for animals needing such that could not otherwise be afforded. This has assured the adoption of over 33 animals into loving homes since 2017.
The shelter has an endowment at The Community Foundation of Wabash County. The endowment provides unrestricted support to the shelter for future needs.
The Paws and Claws Gift Shop sells new and gently used pet items as well as unique and personalized items for the pet lovers.
We take dogs or cats to the assisted living and nursing homes in the county and allow residents to interact with them. This brightens their spirits and gives them something to look forward to as well as helping to socialize our animals.
Go to "Chewy.com" and click on "give back". Click on "Donate to a Rescue". Enter the zip code for Wabash and select the shelter for our wish list of items.
Go to "Amazon.com", select "Registry", enter "Wabash County Animal Shelter", select "Gift List", then "search" then click on the name of the shelter under "Gift List".
Select "Walmart.com/nonprofits/spark good", click on "Support nonprofits", type in "Wabash County Animal Shelter", select option "Round Up" and follow the screen prompts or select "Donate Product" and select items from the shelter wish list to add to your cart. Items can be shipped directly to the shelter.
Adoption Policy
You can help the animals by sponsoring a pet with Petfinder.com or sponsoring one directly at the shelter. This helps with care and adoption fees.
The Wabash County Animal Shelter(WCAS) is proud of the animals we adopt out. All animals are spayed or neutered before being allowed to go to their new forever homes including all puppies and kittens. Animals are tested to ensure that dogs are negative for heartworms and cats over 6 months are negative for FIV/FeLV(Feline Aids Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus).
All dogs and cats will at least receive initial vaccinations including the canine Parainfluenza Bordetella(Kennel Cough) Vaccine for the dogs. Most animals, if old enough, will also receive their Rabies Vaccination.
Each animal has been on flea control and dogs have been on heartworm prevention while at the shelter. All animals are microchipped prior to adoption.
The shelter will also microchip animal for the public for only $20 each and will register the microchip for the owner.
Prices to adopt are kept very low(in fact below our costs), so that animals spend the minimum time at the shelter because we think it is better for the animals to be in loving homes.
All adopters must be over the age of 18 and acknowledge receipt from the Wabash County Animal Shelter the listed animal. You further agree to the following stipulations:
1. To provide food, water, shelter and medical care.
2. Not to neglect or abuse the animal or allow others to do so
3. Not to allow the animal to live on a chain.
4. Not to sell, trade, abandon, release for any experimental purpose whatsoever, nor dispose of said animal in any manner. Should you at any time wish to relinquish ownership, you agree to return the animal to the Wabash County Animal Shelter.
5. To have said animal STERILIZED and proof of RABIES VERIFICATION. State Law requires Rabies Vaccination be given at (3) three months of age.
6. To notify the Animal Shelter, within (10) ten days if circumstances make it impossible to meet each and every term of this adoption agreement.
7. To comply with all applicable laws and ordinances, leash law and animal welfare laws.
8. You further agree to pay any and all reasonable attorney fees and /or other costs associated with inquires into compliance with this Adoption Agreement or any other actions brought in an effort to enforce the terms hereforth.
Failure to comply may subject you to civil and other penalties, in accordance with all applicable laws and ordinances.
Compliance of this agreement is YOUR sole RESPONSIBILITY!!!!
Your Veterinarian may fax or mail your proof to the shelter
Fax number and our address will be on your adoption certificate.
Please remember that you are adopting a shelter animal who has been uprooted from its home for a variety of reasons including moving, abandonment, death of owner, or abuse. These animals will need a period of time and a lot of your understanding and help in adjusting to a new home. If you have any problems with an adoption from this facility or any questions about care, training, or behavior problems, email us at the address at the bottom of this page and we will try to help. We want your adoption experience to be a positive one and we want the animal to have a long term home.
We will try to give all available information about our adoptable animals whenever possible and keep this information current as we learn more about the animals in our care.
Adoption prices for dogs:
Under 6 months old - $80
Over 6 months old - $70
Adoption prices for cats:
Under 6 months old - $65
Over 6 months old - $45
Fees for senior (dogs or cats) > 6 years are $15 less.
