In rural Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, stray and surrendered animals have long had nowhere to go — no county humane society, no guaranteed shelter, and no safety net. A small but determined nonprofit is changing that, one township contract at a time.
A Cause for Paws of Kewaunee County is a volunteer-run organization working to ensure that animals in need across the county have access to professional care and shelter. Founded by Suzie Leist and Julie Jacobs, the group connects local municipalities with the Wisconsin Humane Society by establishing and funding service contracts — at no cost to the townships themselves.
“The township doesn’t have to pay for anything,”
said Leist, a founding member of the organization.
Filling a Critical Gap in Animal Care
Because Kewaunee County has no humane society of its own, residents historically had limited options when they encountered an animal in distress. The Wisconsin Humane Society is not obligated to accept animals from communities that haven’t entered into a formal agreement — which is exactly why these contracts matter so much.
Rachel Charles, a board member with A Cause for Paws who has been involved in animal welfare since 2005, explained the importance of that legal framework. Without a contract, there is simply no guarantee an animal will be accepted.
So far, the cities of Algoma and Kewaunee, the villages of Luxemburg and Casco, and the towns of Ahnapee, Casco, Carlton, Franklin, Lincoln, and Pierce have all partnered with the Wisconsin Humane Society. Residents in those communities can now bring unsheltered animals directly to the humane society for care. A full list of participating municipalities is available on the organization’s website and its Facebook page. The group has helped dogs, cats, rabbits, and even guinea pigs find safe placement.
Community Response Has Exceeded Expectations
The organization received its official nonprofit status in 2025, following major fundraising efforts throughout 2023 and 2024. Local support has come through food drives, business cookouts, and community fundraisers, all of which Leist described as largely successful.
For Charles, the most meaningful part of the work has been the community’s enthusiasm.
“When we started, we knew we were passionate about the mission and the need for this, but we had no idea how the community would respond,”
she said.
Not Everyone Is on Board — Yet
Despite broad support, the organization has faced resistance in some townships. A portion of residents believe stray animals can survive without intervention, making it harder to convince certain town boards to approve contracts. One board outright told A Cause for Paws there was no need for their services.
The group hasn’t given up on that community.
“We’re now working to find residents in that town who support the need for a contract and will be hopefully back on the town’s agenda soon to again request they enter into a contract with (the Wisconsin Humane Society),”
Charles said.
The organization operates entirely on volunteer labor, with only five people on its board. Charles also serves on the board of the Wisconsin Humane Society, a connection that strengthens coordination between the two groups.
After a brief pause in 2025 and a slower start to 2026 due to board members’ personal circumstances, A Cause for Paws is re-focused. Its near-term goals include ramping up outreach, improving marketing efforts, and expanding its web presence.
Those interested in donating or learning more can visit acauseforpawskewauneecounty.com. To get involved as a volunteer, contact the organization at acauseforpawskewauneecounty@gmail.com.
This story is part of Community at Work, an ongoing series from Wisconsin Watch highlighting organizations making a difference in northeast Wisconsin. For more stories from the region, sign up for the Northeast News newsletter. Other recent features include reporting on the Oshkosh Tool Library, a Brown County nonprofit uplifting girls of color, an Oshkosh death companion serving the LGBTQ+ community, and organic farmers building community in Seymour.