Meet the new leader of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society

James Oppenheimer has just found out 27 guinea pigs are headed his way.

And that might not be even the most memorable moment of his first month and a half as director of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

“I’ve seen skinny pigs — which are hairless guinea pigs — hairless rats, snakes, lizards, rabbits,” he said. “We are an open admission shelter. We take in over 8,000 animals a year. And we have to take in any animal that is brought to us.”

As an open admission shelter, the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society takes in all animals, including those that have been refused by other shelters or rescue groups.

“We’re serving the community by taking those animals that literally have nowhere to go,” Oppenheimer said. “That’s one of the great things and one of the scary things. Every day is different.”

Leading the nearly 50-person team at 3720 E. Benson Road is the latest twist in a career that has taken him from the insurance industry to the youth soccer community.

Growing up in London, he once aspired to be a veterinarian.

“I’ve always loved animals,” he said. “I grew up with dogs and horses and always thought at some point I’d get a chance to work with animals.”

He came to Sioux Falls 15 years ago for a job in insurance and never left.

“It’s just very welcoming. It’s going to sound super cliche, but it has that small-town feel yet has the amenities of a larger city, and I found especially through networking … you’re never more than a couple degrees of separation from anyone,” he said.

“My career led me to the sports realm and nonprofit leadership, but when this opportunity came up, someone told me about it, and … I did the first interview, and it became really apparent this would be a tremendous opportunity. This is a fantastic organization.”

His most recent role as director of business operations for Dakota Alliance Soccer Club was an executive director-style position for the state’s largest youth sports organization.

Now, his days are filled with learning a new nonprofit and beginning to set direction for the future. He has spent time in every department, traveling the streets of Sioux Falls with the humane officer, being immersed with the vet staff and going behind the scenes with the kennel staff.

“They’ve been very welcoming. I’ve learned a ton,” he said.

“(Animals) get great care while they’re here. Our mission is to be a safe haven and human voice for all animals in need, and we try to get them their best outcome.”

To say every day is different is an understatement.

“We think we’re getting low on dogs, and then there’s a seizure of pit bulls, and suddenly 35 pit bulls walk in the door,” Oppenheimer said. “Today, we had surprise kittens from a cat we didn’t know was pregnant.”

All animals are spayed or neutered as soon as possible after arriving. There are approximately 250 animals at the Humane Society at any given time. About 300 can fit. “We can, uncomfortably, fit more,” Oppenheimer said. “We spend 20 minutes with every animal each day, and that’s done by staff as well as our army of volunteers that help walk dogs and spend time with cats.”

While there’s some capacity now, spring brings litter season.

“It’s cats and dogs coming in like crazy,” he said. “Spring, summer, we’re very full a lot of the time.”

After filling up with dogs in January, an appeal led to 33 dog and 63 total animal adoptions.

“I think the reason for us being high on dogs was just the large intake numbers. It might have been COVID returns but just an unusual amount in December and January. Our adoption numbers are as high as they’ve every been. You can adopt out seven, but if nine come in, you’re losing for the day.”

Part of that is driven by population growth, he said. Strays are held for 72 hours before being adopted out.

The facility at 3720 E. Benson Road has room for growth.

“We’re looking at a capital campaign for a larger building,” Oppenheimer said. “We’re in a great site on city land and have two purpose-built buildings that house all the dogs and cats, and we’re hoping to add to that.”

Program additions could include more training for animal owners with the goal of reducing surrenders as well as ways to more quickly bring animals through the adoption process. Staffing is largely “in a good spot” though there are continual needs, especially for kennel and vet staff.

“And we’re always looking for volunteers,” Oppenheimer said. “If anyone would like to come walk dogs, we have individual opportunities. And service groups, if your team or group of co-workers would like to help for an afternoon, we can make that happen. We try to make it a great place to work, and everyone loves animals here.”

Paws to Celebrate

The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society will hold its annual Paws to Celebrate fundraiser April 15. For details and to learn more about adoptions and giving opportunities, click here.