RAPID CITY, S.D. – (3.20.2020) The Humane Society of the Black Hills is an open admission shelter and an essential service in and around Rapid City and the health of our employees and the community are of utmost concern. At this time the Humane Society of the Black Hills will remain open during regular business hours for intakes, adoptions, and volunteers. However, if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, we ask you to not visit the humane society until you are fully recovered; we have this same expectation of staff.
Because we currently have approximately 200 animals under our care, staff must continue to feed, water, walk and clean daily. Rest assured that essential care will not change during this uncertain time of disruption in our daily lives.
We do understand that continuing to provide animal care in the community requires flexibility. With that:
Intake
- Intake will continue daily from 8 a.m. to close. If you are uncomfortable coming into the facility call and a staff member will meet you in the parking lot. There will still be paperwork to complete but we will go out of our way to ensure as much social distance as possible.
Adoptions
Adoptions are essential to getting animals out of the shelter and into homes. Traditional adoptions include a face-to-face visit with adoption staff at the Humane Society but we understand the growing concern with social contact. With that:
- Dog adoptions
For the immediate future, if you’re uncomfortable visiting a dog in the Humane Society, call and make an appointment to meet with an adoption advisor and dog and we’ll arrange the visit outside, on the east side of the building. Again, there will still be paperwork, but we can manage the adoption process outside of the building if you would prefer.
- Cat and small animal adoptions
Cat and small animal adoptions are critical to maintaining a healthy shelter population but cannot be handled outside. If you would like to adopt a cat and are uncomfortable entering the front lobby, call and schedule an appointment and an adoption advisor will escort you in through the volunteer door and into the animal adopt rooms. You’re welcome to wear mask and gloves, we have hand sanitizer in every room.
Beginning March 21st, cat adoption prices will be reduced to: Kittens – $100; Adults – $75; Seniors – $25 until further notice
Volunteers
The value of volunteers can’t be overstated. However, until further notice volunteer activities involving any more than 2 people have been cancelled and volunteer orientations will be scheduled on a case by case basis.
- Dog walkers: If you’re a current volunteer and decide to continue to walk dogs, we still welcome you. In addition to the regular volunteer hours, we can accept volunteers at 8 a.m. to walk potty trained dogs that – due to staffing shortages – might not get a regular morning walk. During this time we want to be as respectful of the dangers of COVID 19 and as flexible as possible to continue to care for the animals under our care.
Donations
Now more than ever your support is not only appreciated but critical. Donations of food, money, and supplies can be left in the lobby or, if you are uncomfortable entering the building, call and we will meet you in the parking lot. You can easily donate funds on our website – www.hsbh.org – and a monthly contribution would help today and into the future.
This is an uncertain time for our community, our workforce, and our business sector but we’ll get through it and return to more normal operations in the near future. Until then, the Humane Society of the Black Hills’ staff will continue to care for the animals and your support and flexibility will help immensely.
Jerry Steinley, Executive Director