Stray Animals

Wisconsin Stray Hold Law: In Wisconsin, the stray hold period for animals, according to Wisconsin Statute 173.21, is four days. On the 5th day, ownership transfers to the animal shelter, and the animal can be made available for adoption.

CHA will post strays in the Facebook group ‘Lost and Found Pets in Chippewa Falls’ for four days. If you do not have access to Facebook please email the shelter.

Feral Cat Support & Intake

At Chippewa Humane Association, we understand how important it is to help feral and community cats. While we do our best to assist whenever possible, we have limited space and resources dedicated specifically to feral cats.

Because of this, we are only able to take in feral cats when space and veterinary appointments are available.

How Our Feral Cat Program Works

We have a small number of kennels (5 total) designated for feral cats. Once those spaces are full, we are at capacity and cannot safely take in additional cats.

Feral cat intake is also dependent on spay/neuter appointment availability. Since the shelter environment can be very stressful for feral cats, we aim to keep their stay as short as possible. Holding them for extended periods can increase the risk of illness and takes space away from other animals in need.

Barn Cat Program

Feral cats that come into our care are:

  • Spayed or neutered

  • Given basic vaccinations

  • Placed as working “barn cats” in barns, shops, or similar environments

Barn cats are available at no cost and provide natural rodent control while living in a setting that suits them best.

We partner with Purple Cat Mobile Vet Clinic for spay/neuter services. These procedures typically cost:

  • $80 per cat

  • Additional $30–$50 if the cat is pregnant

In addition, daily care for shelter animals averages $20–$70 per cat, per day.

Before You Trap a Cat

Please call us before setting a trap.

We can help you choose the best timing based on:

  • Available space at the shelter

  • Upcoming spay/neuter appointments

This helps reduce the amount of time a feral cat must stay confined and ensures we can safely assist.

If We Don’t Have Space

If we are currently full, here are some options to consider:

  • Hold the cat safely after trapping until space becomes available

  • Schedule a spay/neuter appointment with a local clinic (like Purple Cat)

  • Return the cat to where it was trapped after surgery

Feral cats are most successful when returned to their original territory. Relocating them to a new area can be very difficult and puts them at a disadvantage.

Our Goal

Our goal is to support both cats and our community in the most humane and responsible way possible—balancing immediate needs with long-term outcomes for every animal.