What Are Stray Animals ?

Stray animals are pets found wandering without their owners. Our goal is to reunite these pets with their families, but sadly, only 12.5% manage to find their way back home.

SFAHS provides food, water, and a safe haven for stray animals from contracted areas, serving as a central hub for owners to reconnect with their pets.

See list of contracted jurisdictions here
If SFAHS is not contracted, we legally cannot hold animals from that location.

Sioux Falls City ordinances allow a set number of days for owners to reclaim their pets.
Animals *without* a city license, identifying tags or a microchip	3 Days
Animals *with* a city license, identifying tags or a microchip	5 Days

Animals that are unclaimed by their owners at the end of the holding period will become property of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

Found a Stray Animal:
The BEST way for an animal to be reunited with its family is to keep the pet near where it was found. Follow the below steps below.

1. Post to your local social media page

Facebook, NextDoor, and Petco Love Lost are becoming prominent and are quite successful in locating owners.

2. Check the animal for a microchip

Contact the nearest humane societies to check for microchips. Please do not cross state lines or travel hours away.
Contact your closest veterinary clinic if there is no humane society nearby.

3. Report it to your local non-emergency dispatch
If you live within a city's limits, call your local PD first.

County Dispatch Contacts

Minnehaha County 605-367-7000
Lincoln County 605-764-5651
Turner County 605-297-3225
McCook County 605-425-2761
Hutchinson County 605-387-2341
Hanson County 605-239-4409
Davison County 605-995-8630
Miner County 605-772-4501
Clay County 605-677-7100
Union County 605-356-2679

After Hours Stray Intake:
If local law enforcement can't collect the animal, you may bring the pet to our after-hours stray intake area.

Owner surrenders require an appointment.

4. Bring the animal to SFAHS

SFAHS is only able to intake animals from our contracted jurisdictions, please check your area before visiting the shelter.
We will need you to fill out some information so we can help reunite families! The animal will be checked for a microchip and held for the legal hold time
Finders may request adoption after the legal hold period but must follow standard adoption procedures.

Stray Animal Intakes

Visiting Hours:

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