THE PAW SOCIETY

About

The Paw Society, Inc. is a newly formed Wisconsin nonprofit dedicated exclusively to charitable purposes under Section 501(c)(3). We work to prevent cruelty to animals, promote humane treatment of dogs, rescue and rehabilitate those in need, facilitate loving adoptions, and educate the public on responsible pet ownership and animal welfare; serving Oconomowoc and surrounding Lake Country communities.

The Vision

The Pilot Program of The Paw Society is a small-scale, foster-based initiative designed to rescue 5 to 10 healthy, adoptable dogs from overcrowded shelters in southern states and place them into loving temporary foster homes in the Waukesha area and greater Wisconsin. Through careful vetting, necessary medical care, and responsible adoptions, we aim to save lives while building a sustainable model for future growth, all without the overhead of a dedicated facility in our startup phase.

This foster-based approach is urgently needed because of a persistent geographic imbalance in U.S. animal sheltering. Southern states continue to face chronic dog overpopulation due to warmer climates, lower spay/neuter rates, higher stray populations, and limited resources, resulting in significantly higher euthanasia risks at high-intake shelters. In contrast, many northern communities, including Wisconsin, benefit from stronger spay/neuter programs, greater demand for adoptable dogs (especially puppies and small-to-medium mixes), and ample foster and adopter capacity. Responsible transport programs help bridge this gap and have proven highly effective at increasing live outcomes for source shelters while meeting adoption needs in destination areas.

By starting small and foster-focused, The Paw Society can immediately contribute to these lifesaving efforts, ensure every dog receives individualized care, and demonstrate the positive impact of targeted rescue work right here in Oconomowoc.

How to Help

Foster Homes

The Paw Society is actively looking for compassionate foster families in Oconomowoc and Lake Country area who are ready to open their homes to dogs in need.

If you love dogs, have a safe yard or secure space, and can provide a temporary loving environment while a dog waits for its forever home, we would love to have you on our team. Our fosters play a critical role in our mission and help newly arrived dogs from southern states adjust to life in Wisconsin, receive necessary veterinary care, learn basic manners, and get ready for adoption.

Click here to complete the foster application.

Board Members

We are currently building a small, dedicated team of board members and key volunteers who share our passion for animal welfare and making a real difference in the lives of dogs.

If you are a competent, reliable individual with a genuine love for dogs, we would love to hear from you. Ideal team members bring strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical, transparent practices. Whether you have experience in nonprofit governance, animal rescue, marketing, events, or simply a big heart and willingness to help, your contributions will directly support our mission of rescuing and rehoming dogs from southern states.

If this sounds like you, please email alex@thepawsociety.org. We'd love to share more about our vision and discuss how your skills could fit!