About Us
CHA serves as a temporary safe haven for homeless animals from Ashland and Bayfield Counties and outlying areas as compacity allows. |
Our Mission
"Promote animal welfare in the Chequmaegon Bay area and beyond" |
Organization Overview
The Chequamegon Humane Association was founded in 1980 as the Chequamegon Animal League (CAL) as it was then known. A brainchild of volunteers who saw a need in our area, CAL operated out of volunteer homes until a parcel of land was obtained from the city of Ashland on Old Airport Road.
In 1994 CHA received a generous bequeath, which allowed us to implement a minimum standard of care so that only spayed or neutered animals, up-to-date on vaccinations were released for adoption. This significant step was the first toward curbing the continuous flow of unwanted cats and dogs in our area.
CHA has come a long way since its humble beginnings thanks to our wonderful community. In 2016 thanks to a generous donation and a successful Capital Campaign we broke ground on a new facility where CHA resides today.
This new facility allows us to help more animals and run programs that benefit the community. Programs we simply couldn’t run before because our prior facility would not allow it.
In 2017, we moved into our new facility at 923 Rail Drive. Making the move allows us to run programs that serve our community like the low-cost Spay/Neuter Program for low-income pet owners, a Pet Food Pantry, Low Cost Adoptions for Senior Citizens, and more.
Our animals now receive a standard of care which includes vaccines, spay/neuter, microchipping, sociaization and medical care when needed (e.g. dental care, treatment for illnesses, etc.)
The Chequamegon Humane Association has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for homeless pets. The staff and board of directors sincerely hope you will join us in continuously making our community a better place for all pets and their people.
In 1994 CHA received a generous bequeath, which allowed us to implement a minimum standard of care so that only spayed or neutered animals, up-to-date on vaccinations were released for adoption. This significant step was the first toward curbing the continuous flow of unwanted cats and dogs in our area.
CHA has come a long way since its humble beginnings thanks to our wonderful community. In 2016 thanks to a generous donation and a successful Capital Campaign we broke ground on a new facility where CHA resides today.
This new facility allows us to help more animals and run programs that benefit the community. Programs we simply couldn’t run before because our prior facility would not allow it.
In 2017, we moved into our new facility at 923 Rail Drive. Making the move allows us to run programs that serve our community like the low-cost Spay/Neuter Program for low-income pet owners, a Pet Food Pantry, Low Cost Adoptions for Senior Citizens, and more.
Our animals now receive a standard of care which includes vaccines, spay/neuter, microchipping, sociaization and medical care when needed (e.g. dental care, treatment for illnesses, etc.)
The Chequamegon Humane Association has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for homeless pets. The staff and board of directors sincerely hope you will join us in continuously making our community a better place for all pets and their people.
Coming in 2023
CHA IS GOING SOLAR
February 22, 2023
SOLAR FOR THE SHELTER
By Mary Stenberg, CHA Board Member
Chequamegon Humane Association Board Members took action at their February board meeting to accept a bid from Jolma Electric to install a solar power system at the Animal Shelter. Work on this project began last fall when Board Members met with Bill Bailey of Cheq Bay Renewables. Mr. Bailey completed a cash flow assessment for CHA by analyzing the cost and amount of electricity usage at the Shelter facility for the previous year. Mr. Bailey is very knowledgeable about solar power and his expertise has been most helpful to CHA. “New incentives for renewable energy in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act have changed the playing field for municipalities and nonprofits like CHA. CHA can now use Direct Pay to lower project costs 40%, reducing payback times and making a project economically feasible that would not be otherwise,” says Bailey.
CHA received notice this past November that their application for a grant from “Solar for Good” had been approved. This grant will cover one-half the cost of the solar panels needed for the project. The panels are state-of-the-art, bi-facial panels with glass on both sides, which allows the solar cells to collect light that bounces off the ground (or snow in winter!), boosting their energy collection.
As a non-profit organization, CHA will apply for all available grants, incentives and rebates. Based on the estimates for the 15.2 kilowatt system, the total cost of the project would be $35,116. Donations needed from the community are estimated to be $16,659. Once installed, annual cost savings to CHA the first year would be $2735 which would result in substantial savings in utility costs for the Shelter. According to Executive Director, Kari Olinger, “This savings would result in more money for animal rescues and surrenders and for the health and wellness services for needed for all the Shelter animals waiting for their forever homes.”
To complete the Solar Project at the CHA Animal Shelter, donations from the community will soon be accepted. One way to donate is to purchase one or more solar panels. Each panel costs $350, and all panel donors (those donating $350 or more) will be recognized. The goal is to have solar power installed by the end of August 2023.
Should you wish to donate to the Chequamegon Humane Association’s Solar Power Project, go on-line to the CHA website (www.chaadopt.org) and click on the Ways to Give or Donate button at the top of the page. Then click on Solar Power Project. You may also send a check to the Chequamegon Humane Association, PO Box 93, Ashland, WI 54806. Be sure to write “Solar Project” on your check’s memo line. Any donation amount will be very much appreciated. Visit the Chequamegon Humane Association’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CHAadopt/ for more about this exciting and innovative project!
SOLAR FOR THE SHELTER
By Mary Stenberg, CHA Board Member
Chequamegon Humane Association Board Members took action at their February board meeting to accept a bid from Jolma Electric to install a solar power system at the Animal Shelter. Work on this project began last fall when Board Members met with Bill Bailey of Cheq Bay Renewables. Mr. Bailey completed a cash flow assessment for CHA by analyzing the cost and amount of electricity usage at the Shelter facility for the previous year. Mr. Bailey is very knowledgeable about solar power and his expertise has been most helpful to CHA. “New incentives for renewable energy in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act have changed the playing field for municipalities and nonprofits like CHA. CHA can now use Direct Pay to lower project costs 40%, reducing payback times and making a project economically feasible that would not be otherwise,” says Bailey.
CHA received notice this past November that their application for a grant from “Solar for Good” had been approved. This grant will cover one-half the cost of the solar panels needed for the project. The panels are state-of-the-art, bi-facial panels with glass on both sides, which allows the solar cells to collect light that bounces off the ground (or snow in winter!), boosting their energy collection.
As a non-profit organization, CHA will apply for all available grants, incentives and rebates. Based on the estimates for the 15.2 kilowatt system, the total cost of the project would be $35,116. Donations needed from the community are estimated to be $16,659. Once installed, annual cost savings to CHA the first year would be $2735 which would result in substantial savings in utility costs for the Shelter. According to Executive Director, Kari Olinger, “This savings would result in more money for animal rescues and surrenders and for the health and wellness services for needed for all the Shelter animals waiting for their forever homes.”
To complete the Solar Project at the CHA Animal Shelter, donations from the community will soon be accepted. One way to donate is to purchase one or more solar panels. Each panel costs $350, and all panel donors (those donating $350 or more) will be recognized. The goal is to have solar power installed by the end of August 2023.
Should you wish to donate to the Chequamegon Humane Association’s Solar Power Project, go on-line to the CHA website (www.chaadopt.org) and click on the Ways to Give or Donate button at the top of the page. Then click on Solar Power Project. You may also send a check to the Chequamegon Humane Association, PO Box 93, Ashland, WI 54806. Be sure to write “Solar Project” on your check’s memo line. Any donation amount will be very much appreciated. Visit the Chequamegon Humane Association’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CHAadopt/ for more about this exciting and innovative project!
