Humane Society reports pressing need for animal adoptions, food donations

The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society is at capacity, with more than 300 animals in its care awaiting adoption.

Every available kennel is occupied, and SFAHS staff are getting creative with ways to find more space, executive director Jami Gates Grieve said.

Several people on Facebook commented that the shelter needs more room, but that’s not the solution, Gates Grieve said. Installing more kennels doesn’t solve the root cause of pet overpopulation, and reducing the number of animals who need temporary shelter is a priority.

“They need homes, not rooms,” Gates Grieve said.

SFAHS does that in several ways, which includes relying on fosters who take animals temporarily into their homes. In addition, every animal is spayed or neutered for its adoption, ensuring that it can’t breed more animals who need homes.

Volunteers also are essential to the Humane Society in other ways too, Gates Grieve said. Some volunteers take dogs out for the day, giving them a recess from crowded and noisy conditions. Others donate time doing laundry, washing, drying and folding blankets and towels, freeing up staff time to focus on stressed animals.

Last week, the SFAHS took in 89 cats and 50 dogs. Currently, people who want to surrender their pets must wait several weeks for an appointment.

In addition, the shelves are bare at the Humane Society’s Community Pet Food Bank. Pet owners having difficulty providing food for their pets can pick up supplies at the food bank — when it’s available.

The SFAHS feeds its animals Hill’s Science Diet pet food, purchased at a significantly reduced cost from the manufacturer, Graves Grieve said. Cash donations can be used to purchase food. Any brand of food can be dropped off for distribution through the food bank.

Helping people who need pet-food assistance is another way the SFAHS keeps pets in their home, the director said. All pet owners need to do is share their identification.

“The community is a huge help for us,” Gates Grieve said. “We want to do what we can to help folks keep animals in their home. If we can provide food, if that’s the barrier, then they’re staying in their homes where they should be.”

Currently, the SFAHS houses more cats than dogs, but that can fluctuate during the year. One reason the cat population has increased is simply because of the spring season.

“It’s kitten season, the period when our shelter experiences a significant increase in the number of kittens,” Gates Grieve said. “Factors contributing are probably surrenders that come in and housing challenges like financial pressures on pet owners so there are longer lengths of stay for certain animals.”

The Humane Society relies heavily on people who volunteer to serve as fosters. Currently, it has 50 foster homes and could use more, Gates Grieve said.

Being at capacity is not only difficult for the animals, but it also causes stress on SFAHS staff. They have less individual time with animals and are unable to focus on behavior and enrichment as much as they would like. Volunteers who come into the facility help supply the attention needed.

“We need volunteers to come out and walk the dogs, to help with rescue-dog recess, a day-foster program where the dogs are taken out of the shelter setting, go out to the park, get a pup cup and bring them back at the end of the day,” the director said. “It’s amazing what it does to animals to get out of the shelter for a while. It’s so stressful being here with so many other animals.”

Another solution to the overcrowding: adoption. If someone is ready to welcome a pet in their home, the SFAHS currently has 120 animals listed on its website that are adoptable.

Nonfood donations can include pet supplies, leashes and toys. On Wednesday, the shelter posted a need for large floor fans to keep the animal hallways cool.

“We thank the community for always supporting us when the animals need the support,” Gates Grieve said. “We’re so grateful. Every adoption, foster placement, volunteer-hour donation makes a huge difference. “

To learn more, visit sfadopt.com.