Article: Humane Society, activist clash over who will care for strays Charges, countercharges traded as decision nears; Humane Society wants to focus on other, larger missions Why does the Wisconsin Humane Society want to get out of the pound business? Victoria Wellens, executive director of the society since early 1995, says there are many reasons: The current building near N. Humboldt Blvd. and E. Capitol Drive is old, too small and sinking. The cost of providing pound services is more than what the society is receiving. The difference amounts to at least $3 million over the past decade and about $50,000 in 1995. The society wants to focus on its larger missions of public education, wildlife protection and other services. Euthanizing animals also creates bad publicity and makes it difficult to raise money.

There's a dogfight going on over who will take care of Milwaukee County's stray animals.

On one side is Cindy Schultz, controversial political operative and animal rights activist, who wants to provide pound services for the suburbs and perhaps Milwaukee. The contracts are worth between $500,000 and $2 million.

On the other side is the Wisconsin Humane Society, founded in 1879, the longtime provider of pound services here. Officials there say they no longer want to provide pound services. Instead, they want to work with the county to help set up a pound. They assert that Schultz has not shown that she's competent to do

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