Animal abandonment is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00 and imprisonment for up to 6 months.

PLEASE DO NOT release the animal to "run free", or dump animals on the side of the road. A roaming animal risks getting killed or injured by a car, attacked by another animal, or shot by a farmer who doesn't want animals around their livestock or on their property. Animals who roam have no regular source of food, and can become emaciated or starve to death. An animal is MUCH better off in a shelter than roaming.

Low Cost Spay & Neuters open to the Public

The Humane Society of the Black Hills is dedicated in supporting spay neuter programs. We take in over 6200 unwanted or homeless animals a year.

Every year in the United States, an estimated three to four million cats and dogs are left behind with no owners and due to "supply and demand" many of these animals are euthanized. The simple fact is that there are far more cats and dogs in the world than there are people who are willing or able to be guardians. Most were recklessly or accidentally bred, resulting in a serious companion animal overpopulation. This creates a crisis that causes immense suffering for its victims and heartbreak for those who work to save their lives.

No matter how homeless animals end up, shelters -whether they are purchased from a breeder or puppy mill and later relenquished, ferals or strays picked up from the street or lost family pets- their fate is uncertain. The best that those who can not find homes can hope for is to be painlessly euthanized by lethal injection in the arms of a caring person.

While the population explosion is the result of not one but many causes, the fact that these millions of deaths could be prevented makes them all the more tragic and intolerable. Encouraging people to adopt animals from shelters instead of buying them is important. However, it is even more imperative that our society implement measures to reduce the number of puppies and kittens being born at the source. This can be accomplished by spaying and neutering as many animals as possible.

Spayed and neutered pets are healthy and happier. Some of the benefits of spaying and neutering are:

- Spayed/ neutered animals tend to live longer.
- Spayed females do not suffer from uterine or ovarian cancer.
- Neutering males drastically reduces chances of prostrate difficulties.
- Neutering can help some behavior problems and tend to make pets more loving and better tempered.
- Neutered cats are less likely to mark or supercalifragilisticexbealadocious their territory.
- Spayed females do not experience messy heat cycles.
- Neutered males are less likely to run away or fight.

With the Humane Society of the Black Hills New Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program we hope to prevent unwanted litters. This program will help to reduce the number of animals in our area in order to have fewer pets euthanized due to lack of available adopters.

To find out the cost for your animal or set up an appointment please call the HSBH:  605-394-4170
 

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Humane Trap Leasing

Often our furry friends escape or slip out undetected and begin a life living off the land and the yummy garbage cans we fill with prizes four the innovative four pawed hunters. Animals who have begun to be a nuisance can be destructive and frustrating to deal with.

The Humane Society of the Black hills provides humane traps for persons with nuisance domestic animals.

Weather permitting, traps are issued on Monday or Tuesday, and returned by 5PM on the following Friday. Deposits are forfeited if traps are not returned on time, or returned damaged. All traps must be cleaned before they are returned.

A refundable deposit is collected at the time the trap is issued. Deposits are as follows:

Cat Traps $50.00

Dog Traps $175.00

There is now a  $10.00 rental fee.

Trapped stray domestic animals must be brought to the Humane Society. We are able to microchip scan these animals and many are returned to their owners. The best moment we encounter at the Humane Society is when we are able to reunite owner and pet.

When you sign for a trap you assume responsibility for any animal caught in the trap, ensuring the animal is not subjected to harsh weather. Traps must be placed in a sheltered area, protected from hot sun, severe cold, rain and wind. Potable water must be provided during warm weather.

We are unable to support the trapping of wild animals and we do not "lease" traps for this use. Any wild animal accidentally trapped, while using the Humane Societies traps, must be released at the site it was trapped. Re-locating animals who have made their homes in specific locations often leads to cruel and inhumane deaths due to starvation.

HSBH provides outdoor kennels for after hours drop offs. These are locking kennels in which the entire trap can be placed. Please complete the paperwork provided if you use these kennels to ensure the return of your deposit.

 

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Disaster and Emergency Response

Pennington County has a history of disasters, such as forest fires, structural fires, flash floods, tornadoes, blizzards and drought. These disasters have caused millions of dollars in property damage and the loss of several hundred lives. Pennington County is also vulnerable to many types of technological disasters. The transportation systems in the County (highways, air, pipelines. utilities, rail) could have serious emergencies escalate into major disasters if improperly handled. Hazardous materials (HazMat) spills, terrorist activities, military accidents, or dam failure may also cause emergencies.

HSBH has designed aplan to assist with emergencies and disasters in Pennington County. We will offer as much aid and response as resources will allow in an effort to assist animals and owners needs in times of crisis. We have developed guidelines in order to be take a proactive approach to our disaster response. With this approach there is a greater chance that animals and their owners will survive a disaster.

It is vital that the HSBH prepare for disasters, both to protect the animals housed here and to safeguard the facility. A lack of planning can increase the magnitude of the disaster for humans and animals alike, while a proactive approach to planning and preparation for potential emergencies allows an organization to mitigate damage and downtime.

In extreme emergencies, HSBH will coordinate with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) or the Rapid City – Pennington County Emergency System and the State of South Dakota Emergency Response Organization to manage our response in consistent communication with each agency as required. It is expected the above listed emergency response agencies would rely on our expertise to control and handle pet animal care and assist with any emergency in a professional and safe manner in order to aid city state or county, with in our capabilities.

In times of disaster, the major focus of response efforts is geared toward the rescue and mitigation of threats to the human population. However, the domesticated animal population should not be overlooked.

Studies have shown that human risk is minimized and public compliance is increased, if appropriate advance steps are taken to evacuate and rescue animals. Hurricane Katrina taught us many lessons. We know having a plan for disaster response must include the animals. Except for Service Animals, emergency shelters for people can not, because of heath reasons, allow animals. This is the reason our coordination with the American Red Cross, FEMA and other agencies is so vitally important.

The outcome of disasters does not always result in many stray and homeless animals. It is important to determine what type of situation is going to result from any given disaster. We are ready and willing to help where we can.

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