Humane Society of the Black Hills

Visit our website for adoptable animals!

Please note: All of our monetary transactions end at 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Animal intake and return hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Food Assistance hours:
8 am to 9:30 a.m.
5 p.m. to 5:30 pm


FAQ about Adoptions:



How do adoptions work?
It is recommended that you come in and interact with the animal first. They're adorable, and you can fall in love with their pictures online, but it's best to make sure your personalities mesh! You will need to fill out a Visitation Form. Once you've met with the animal and you've decided to adopt, you will need to pay the adoption fee at the shelter and go over the appropriate paperwork, which includes a contract. We will need to contact any landlords, and we will do a property search to make sure the property is owner by you. If you are approved and the animal is fixed, it can go home same day as the adoption, provided there is no reason we would need to keep it here. If the animal is not fixed, it will be scheduled at a local Rapid City vet clinic of your choosing from a list, they will stay here until their appointment, we will transport the animal to the vet, and you will pick the animal up directly from the clinic and pay them for the surgery. Every animal is micro chipped in your name before going home!

Do they have to be spayed/neutered?
Absolutely yes. All animals must be spayed or neutered before they go home. This is to help lower the population of unwanted animals.

Why landlord approval?
Upon every visit, we search the property to confirm who owns it. Landlord approval is required so we know the animal will not be brought back due to landlord disapproval. We know you'll make a great home, but we need to be sure the animal is completely welcomed where it will be going, and you won't get in trouble by them!

Why do puppies/kittens cost more? Why do the spayed/neutered animals cost more?
The shelter is a non-profit organization. Puppies, kittens, and altered animals have a higher chance of becoming adopted. Because of this their adoption fees help pay to run the shelter and feed the animals who end up staying with us longer.

Is there a time limit on the animals?
Absolutely not! Once evaluated and placed up for adoption, an animal can stay here as long as it needs to until it gets adopted. The only reason we would consider something like this to be necessary is if the animal is medically gone to the point where we can not help it with treatment, or if is behaviorally gone to the point where we can not place it in a home.

I see an animal on your website listed as "Stray Unavailable." Can I adopt it?
Unfortunately, that is the status of the animal until further notice. It means that the animal is new, and we are keeping it for a 72 hours before they belong to the shelter and are able to be evaluated. This gives any potential owners time to come through and find their lost friend. All animals are evaluated before being placed up for adoption, and evaluation time is after the 72 hour hold. You are more than welcome to check back, but we will not show the animal to you in person until it has passed an evaluation.

Can I be put on a waiting list for a stray/on hold animal?
Typically, no, we do not have a waiting list. You are more than welcome to call the morning of the day the animal is to become potentially available and be here when we open. The first thing you want to do is be here, fill out a Visitation Form and give it to the front desk. All adoptions and visits will go in order of the time Visitation Forms are handed in. Filling one out in person is more efficient than emailing one.

1820 E Saint Patrick St
Rapid City, SD 57703
United States