Update: We’ve hit our goal! An incredibly generous community has donated $50,000 for these matching funds. Donations received through the end of this year which are received in addition to the goal amount will be directed to the kennel project. Thank you for the support!

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Sept. 5, 2018) ― An anonymous sponsor will match up to $50,000 in donations for “Homes for the Holidays” to provide new kennels and habitats for all of the animals at the Humane Society of the Black Hills.

There are new, safer, more comfortable kennel designs available for dogs and cats at the Humane Society of the Black Hills. The current kennels are showing signs of age and the design can lead to injury to some animals.

Now through Dec. 31. 2018, donations to the Humane Society designated for “Homes for the Holidays” will be matched dollar for dollar and dedicated to new kennels for dogs, cats, and all of the other species that come through the Humane Society doors. Donations for “Homes for the Holidays” are doubled in this matching funding opportunity meaning $50,000 in donations becomes $100,000 for the animals!

“This is an amazing opportunity for the Humane Society of the Black Hills to provide new habitats for, not only the dogs, but all of the animals that come through the doors,” said Humane Society director Jacque Harvey. “The new kennels will provide the dogs and cats more comfort while they’re waiting to be adopted into their forever homes.”

With this generous matching funding 70 chain link-style dog kennels and 146 cat kennels will be replaced, state of the art, more sanitary, more sound proof kennels which are safer for both the community and the animals.

“Our current kennels are showing signs of age,” Harvey said. “There has been some corrosion and damage which can increase the risk for an animal to injure itself; we’re anxious to get these kennels replaced to provide a safer, less stressful, more comfortable environment for the animals.”

Vendors and kennel designs are currently under review and a design will be selected based on safety, quality, and animal comfort. After funding is secured, kennel replacement will begin in the first half of 2019 and will continue until funding is exhausted. Dog kennels on the adopt floor will be replaced first followed by cat habitats on the adoption floor. Other exotic animal habitats will be added for the first time ever.

About the Humane Society of the Black Hills

The Humane Society of the Black Hills (HSBH) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has worked with the community to provide shelter and care for lost and abused animals for nearly 50 years. The HSBH currently operates the only major animal shelter west of the Missouri River in South Dakota.