Redeeming Your Lost Pet

Pet Redemption Policy & Procedure

The Coulee Region Humane Society serves as the official stray-holding facility for La Crosse County. If you suspect that your pet may be here as a stray, please review our redemption policy and the reclamation procedure outlined below.

To reclaim your animal, you will need the following items:

  • A valid state-issued ID.

    • The legal owner of the animal is required to perform the redemption. If necessary, the legal owner can give permission over the phone or in writing for someone else to redeem his or her pet.

    • You must be 18 years or older to redeem an animal to our shelter.

  • Either a current rabies certificate or proof of a pre-paid rabies appointment.

    • Proof of rabies is required to redeem your pet. Proof of license may be required depending on the municipality in which you live. All dogs in the state of Wisconsin are required by law to be licensed for the current year.

    • A rabies or license tag is not sufficient proof. A tag alone does not ensure that it is linked back to the pet you are reclaiming.

    • If you do not have a current rabies vaccination, you will be required to pre-pay for one at your vet clinic and schedule an appointment to have it administered within 10 days of reclaiming you pet.

Howard the Beagle at Coulee Region Humane Society in Onalaska, Wisconsin.

  •  A current license (as required by your local municipality).

    • If applicable, you will be required to license at our shelter.

  • Please call the Coulee Region Humane Society at 608-781-4014. Staff members are available throughout the week to go over the redemption process with you in detail. Your animal can be redeemed during our business hours as follows:

    • Weekdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

    • Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

    • *Please note that holidays may affect these hours*

  • There is a fee to redeem your animal. This fee is determined based on any previous redemption at our shelter and amount of days the animal has been held at CRHS facility.

  • By law, we allow four days for an owner to come forward and reclaim their pet. After four days; however, by law, CRHS gains ownership of the animal.

Animal Control may issue a compliance notice or citation for several reasons, which can encompass the animal's present state, wandering freely, failure to receive vaccinations, and more.