I’m raising funds for the May 2, 2026, Walk for Animals to support the Sauk County Humane Society, an OPEN ADMISSIONS shelter. Being OPEN ADMISSIONS means that Sauk County Humane Society (SCHS) never turns away any animal in need—no matter their age, condition, injuries, or behavior. This approach is rare but absolutely vital.

Let me tell you about Luca. Sweet Luca is a 2-and-a-half-year-old Lab and Border Collie mix. Luca came to SCHS after being left on the porch of what his prior owner thought was a dog rescue. When Luca first arrived, he was completely shut down and overwhelmed. SCHS's team gave him the time and space he needed, and slowly, with patience, quiet care, and a lot of trust-building, he began to open up. Now, we’re starting to see the real Luca. He’s a gentle, thoughtful dog who forms strong bonds with his people. He’s house-trained, knows “sit,” and takes treats very gently. Once he feels safe, he loves belly rubs and relaxing close by your side. He is available for adoption.

Getting Luca's story took a bit of detective work by SCHS. Luckily, he was microchipped, and by linking the microchip information to the license plate of the vehicle captured on a surveillance camera, SCHS was able to identify and contact Luca’s registered owner. It is not uncommon for these types of calls to go unanswered. But this time, the owner quickly returned the call and shared a tough story. Luca’s prior family had been trying for months to find him a home before moving out of state. However, they kept hitting dead ends, with every other shelter rejecting Luca's intake. These shelters were not OPEN ADMISSIONS. In desperation, when it was time to move, Luca's family took him with them, stopping at many shelters along the way. They even tried passing Luca off as a stray. No other shelter practiced OPEN ADMISSIONS, and no shelter would help him. Finally, in desperation, Luca was left on a porch.

Thanks to SCHS, Luca's story is about to have a happy ending, but he should not have had to go through a frightening and confusing experience first. Our animal welfare system is stretched thin and broken in many places because shelters with OPEN ADMISSIONS policies are few and far between. Sadly, a ridiculous number of vulnerable animals just disappear when shelters turn them away. Nobody tracks the number of animals turned away, and nobody will ever know how heartbreaking their stories end. It is easier to just ignore them. However, SCHS will not look the other way, no matter how exhausting and expensive it is to take in ALL animals in need.

Please join me in supporting this incredible OPEN ADMISSIONS cause by donating toward my $1,000 goal for the 2026 PAWS Walk for Animals. Every dollar helps keep doors open for animals like Luca, who desperately need us.

Thanks so much for your support—let’s make sure no animal gets turned away!