Sioux Falls Area Humane Society breaks annual adoption record

A record number of pets found new homes this year through the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

As of Dec. 29, 3,776 animals had been adopted for the year, edging out the previous record of 3,775 adoptions set in 2013.

“This is a huge improvement from 2022 when we had 2,801 adoptions,” executive director James Oppenheimer said.

“We still have one more open day, so (we) should see this number grow even more.”

The year closed on an especially high note, with more than 400 adoptions in December, making it the Humane Society’s second-best month ever, behind 435 adoptions in November.

On its biggest day, Dec. 22, 49 animals found new homes.

“This remarkable achievement is a true team win,” Oppenheimer said, crediting several factors.

“There has been increased efforts by our humane officers and kennel staff to get animals housed and evaluated more efficiently,” he said.

“The vet staff have done an excellent job getting animals through surgery in a timely fashion. Our marketing group have been outstanding with getting animals on the website and really amping up our social media presence. Finally, the adoption counselors have lowered some barriers to adoption and have been more accommodating in getting animals adopted out.”

As a result, the Humane Society’s average length of stay has gone down from 15 days to 13.7 days, in addition to the annual record — the best in the organization’s 119-year history.

Meet the new leader of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society