The Oshkosh Area Humane Society logo. November 5, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The city of Oshkosh plans to reduce funds provided to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society after facing a structural budget deficit.
Executive Director Ieva Engel said it would be a hard hit to take.
“Obviously, we are going to be looking at all of our expenses as well, and making sure that we are prudent with our financial resources,” she said.
For 2025, the city budgeted $107,000 towards its contract with OAHS. For next year, the city plans to reduce it to $60,000.
As for why the city pays so much, the Humane Society provides on-call service for stray or impounded animals, as well as a standard level of care for each animal they take in.
“Currently, each of the stray animals costs the Humane Society about $250,” Engel said. “That includes all the care from when a stray or impounded animal comes in, gets a medical check-up, vaccinations, deworming.”
Engel said a financial blow like a loss of $47,000 in city funding will bring a financial burden on the shelter. But those visiting won’t see the changes.
“With receiving less funding, we will continue delivering the same level of service to the animals because we feel it is the right thing to do. It is a part of our mission and that’s really who we are,” Engel explained. “We know that we’ll have to make this gap up through fundraising.”
And Engel added that both the city and the shelter are in good-faith negotiations.
“I am confident that we will arrive at an agreement that works for both the city and the Humane Society,” she said.
The city will vote on the changes to their budget Nov. 11, but declined to comment on the funding due to ongoing negotiations.
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