South Dakota Shelter Asks You To Never Leave Pets At Their Door

Sometimes, as a pet owner, you have to make difficult decisions. One South Dakota animal shelter wants to remind you that there are options to help. But each choice has consequences.

The Heartland Humane Society in Yankton, South Dakota, had a gut-wrenching surprise at its doorstep: Five cats left outside in a kennel.

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In a heartbreaking Facebook post, officials with the Heartland Humane Society say there was a blanket over the kennel to keep the cats warm, money for vaccinations, a note with their names...it's clear the previous owner was down on their luck.

The Heartland Humane Society understands that times are hard, but this is not the way to handle your pets when you need help. Pets who are left outside of the shelter "puts *everyone* at risk."

We were not medically prepared for five cats with unknown vaccination histories, which could have endangered the other cats in our care. We already had intake appointments scheduled for people who have been waiting, and this put us in an immediate bind for space, staffing, and medical resources.

We are a **limited-intake facility**. That means we manage intakes carefully to best utilize medical resources, volunteer capacity, and space. For that reason, we accept surrenders **by appointment only**—and sometimes that means asking people to wait. Not because we don’t care. Not because we don’t want to help. Not to be difficult.

We do it because it is the only way we can provide the *best possible care* for every animal who comes through our doors.

The Heartland Humane Society can offer pet owners support, like supplies, housing options, and other shelters that can take in pets more quickly.

If you're a pet owner in South Dakota who needs help and lives near the Heartland Humane Society, please reach out. Contact them at 605-664-4244 or on Facebook.