Adoption Center Visitation Policy

Pre-2016: Visitors can walk through without pre-screening.  Imagine, you are in an unfamiliar place, with loud noises, strangers, and none of the comforts you are used to.  It's Scary. It's Stressful.  It makes you want to hide.  There are faces looking at you, there is never a chance to rest or take a nap.  This puts you on edge, you don't want to interact with anyone. 

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Current Visitation Policy: Visitors must be pre-screened to visit our animals

This is the only place some of these animals have ever found a warm spot to sleep, food to eat and loving hands to care for them. We want to be sure they know they are safe and can trust humans. We are there when they come into the shelter and try to learn as much as we can about them. We treat them as our own pets and love them unconditionally. We are there on their first day, when they may be cowering and unsure of their surroundings. We are there when they finally start to come out of their shells. And we are there to see their wagging tails and purrs when they find forever homes.

Whether they are here 10 minutes or 10 months, we try to show these animals compassion and we do not ever euthanize any animals for space or time concerns.

It is our mission to provide a safe haven and human voice for all animals in need

Our visitation policy is an extension of our attempt to make this a safe haven for the animals in our care. Since we have implemented this policy, our animals are at the front of their cages, ready to spend time with those who are looking to adopt, instead of hiding in the back, overwhelmed by all the faces at their cage during the day. We have seen no decrease in adoptions due to this policy, but have seen a decrease in animals needing time away to relax from the stress. We've also seen a decrease in sick animals and returns after adoption.

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Visitors must be pre-screened to visit our animals! Visit the SFAHS Shelter for an application or submit one online.

In order to visit the animal areas at the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society you must be: A pre-screened adopter. Learn more here!  A registered volunteer. Learn more here ! A scheduled tour. Tours must be scheduled in advance here. A scheduled business or school service group. Groups must be scheduled in advance here. Need to Re-home your pet? See details here Found a stray? Here is what to do.  This visitation policy has been in effect since April 2016. We thank you for your commitment to keeping the animals happy and healthy!