Marshfield Area Pet Shelter Celebrates 10 Years

Grand Opening Held at New Shelter Facility

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – Marshfield Area Pet Shelter (MAPS) celebrated a 10th Anniversary/Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening ceremony Wednesday at their new facility on 3500 Downwind Drive.

MAPS was formed in Sept 2011 when concerned citizens realized the need for an animal shelter in Marshfield. Efforts began with raising awareness, through walking in parades, hosting brat fry’s, and attending community events.

Volunteers began housing homeless animals in their homes to save them, then started hosting fundraisers to pay other humane societies to take in Marshfield’s unclaimed pets.

MAPS’ first official fundraiser was attended by more than 800 people in 2012.

“This solidified our belief that the Marshfield community was eagerly awaiting its first humane organization to serve homeless pets,” said founder Karen Rau, who now serves as Executive Director.

With help from the community, MAPS continued to thrive and grow. MAPS’ first physical location was established at Marshfield Mall in 2013 and their second was in an old airport terminal building in 2015. MAPS housed animals within two separate locations for five years until they moved all their animals to their new facility in August 2020.

The new shelter is approximately 9,000 square feet, consisting of intake and medical rooms, indoor/outdoor accessible dog kennels, quarantine rooms, “catios”, and a free roaming cat area named in honor of Brittany Zimmermann. The lobby features donated tiles installed with help from R&R Flooring.

In attendance at the ceremony were many community members and business partners, including Festival Foods (who donates through their “Paws for Hunger” program) and Pet Supplies Plus (opening in October in Marshfield).

“As we open our new store here locally, we’re excited to support MAPS,” said Kimberly Crawford, store team leader, who was in attendance with Cecily Steinmetz, salon leader. “They are a great local organization and passionate about helping animals.”

For 10 years, MAPS has served the Marshfield community providing valuable services to both animals and people.

Anyone wishing to support the shelter is encouraged to take advantage of a special opportunity to help “finish the floors” for MAPS. Participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a paw print at the new facility. Purchase a 12” x 12” ceramic tile to complete the floors inside or a 4” x 8” brick paver placed outside along the walkway in front of the catio.

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