Humane Society sets record for pet adoptions

Shelter still getting between 160-180 dogs, cats and other animals a week

The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society shattered its previous one-month adoption record in July and is on pace to set a new yearly record.

The shelter adopted out 486 animals in July, an 11 percent increase over the previous largest one-month total, which was set in December, 2023. So far, 2024 is on pace to set a yearly record with more than 4,000 adoptions. Last year, 3,807 animals were adopted and in 2022 2,801.

The month of July didn’t have an auspicious start. On Independence Day, SFAHS had more than 500 animals under its care, straining its resources. Those animals were located at its shelter in northeast Sioux Falls, as well as the Cattitude Café in downtown and animals that were in foster care.

“We put out a plea to Sioux Falls, and Sioux Falls responded amazingly,” SFAHS Executive Director James Oppenheimer said.

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