Sue Harris had gone through a number of changes. She lost her husband six years ago; moved into a Madison condo two years ago; and last summer, she hit the big 8-0. Even though she visits multiple times a week, Sue’s daughter, Shannon Barry, worried that her mom was lonely.
“My mom loves animals,” says Shannon. “When I was growing up, we had a house full of rescue animals. … [But] my mom told me repeatedly that she didn’t think she should adopt another animal because of her age.”
Shannon decided to take a chance and told Sue about Sooper, a 14-year-old cat available for adoption at Dane County Humane Society (DCHS). “We pretty much hopped right into the car and headed over. When my mom saw her and the other cats, she teared up, and I knew that it was going to work out. It was what she needed.”
DCHS practices an Adopters Welcome philosophy, meaning anyone who wants to love and care for a pet should have the opportunity to do so. DCHS doesn’t require adopters to go through a lengthy form or application process. Instead, DCHS counselors engage in a discussion with adopters to help them find the pet that best fits their lifestyle.
Despite removing barriers, the cost to bring an animal companion home may be out of reach for someone on a fixed income. To overcome this challenge, DCHS has partnered with Pets for the Elderly (PFE) Foundation to reduce the cost of adopting a companion animal for seniors age 60+. Thanks to an initial grant from the PFE Foundation, DCHS discounted adoption fees up to $50 for senior adopters.
In the first six months after the program was introduced, in June of 2021, 41 dogs, 57 cats, and 2 guinea pigs were adopted. The PFE program at DCHS has grown in popularity since, helping seniors adopt 210 dogs and 124 cats between 2022 and 2024. DCHS continues the partnership in 2025 and is increasing the discount to up to $75 per adoption.
Even though Sue could have afforded the adoption fee for Sooper, now named Luna, Shannon says, “Having it waived made it so much easier. This is such an incredible service. Bringing Luna home has been life-changing for my mom.”
When Sue brought Luna home, Luna immediately made herself comfortable. “It’s my sense that they both need each other, and I was overjoyed to see how quickly they seemed to fall into a rhythm with one another,” says Shannon. “I know it sounds cliché, but I think DCHS may have saved two lives, and for that, I am eternally grateful.”
After more than a month together, Sue and Luna are thriving. Shannon says, “My mom absolutely dotes on Luna and has a reason to get up in the morning again. Luna is gaining weight and playing more. My mom spends hours grooming her to get the knots out of her fur. Luna looks amazing and is such a sweet cat. Every time I go to my mom’s house, I find the two of them cuddling together on the recliner in my mom’s sunroom. They are two peas in a pod.”
To see the available pets waiting for new families to love, visit giveshelter.org/adopt or stop by DCHS’ Adoption Center.
Lisa Bernard is the development and communications supervisor at Dane County Humane Society.
Photograph provided by Dane County Humane Society
DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
5132 Voges Road
Madison, WI 53718
(608) 287-3235
giveshelter.org