The Siouxland Humane Society, established in 1889, is a non-profit organization solely supported by private donations. Our mission is to provide programs and services that promote the humane treatment of animals in the Siouxland area. It is a unique mission since our organization is the only private, non-profit agency in Siouxland dedicated to animal welfare. Our goals are as follows: to operate a shelter, to adopt animals to the public, to promote the spay/neuter of pets, to provide educational programs and materials to the public, and to investigate and pursue prosecution of reports of animal cruelty/neglect in the Siouxland area.
The Siouxland Humane Society provides shelter, food, and medicine to over 3,000 animals each year. Through our adoption program we find homes for approximately 86% of our adoptable animals, an adoption rate that far exceeds the national average of 37%. We conduct animal abuse/neglect investigations and work cooperatively with local law enforcement to bring about justice for all animals. Staff and volunteers also promote an appreciation of the human animal bond through our education programs. A spay/neuter assistance program is available to help pet owners spay or neuter their pets. We also offer euthanasia, cremation and pet loss support services. Our shelter also provides emergency food and shelter to pets whose owners are struggling due to unfortunate circumstances. Other services include our "Best Friends" volunteer program, a lost/found and pet wish list program, emergency fund, and pet facilitated therapy.
The Siouxland Humane Society provides services throughout the Tri-State region and works cooperatively with animal control agencies and local governments within Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. For the purpose of providing comprehensive and coordinated animal services, the Siouxland Humane Society has identified certain service areas which are as follows:
- To accept Owner surrendered animals in Woodbury County and surrounding counties, including the city of Sioux City, and all other cities.
- To provide shelter for stray animals in Woodbury County and surrounding counties, excluding the city of Sioux City, and any other municipality with animal control service.
- To investigate and pursue prosecution of reports of animal cruelty/neglect in Woodbury County and surrounding counties, excluding the city of Sioux City.
| Animal Receiving |
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Animals may be brought to the Shelter Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am through 4:00 pm and Sunday from noon through 4:00 pm. We are closed every Monday. Please pre-register at our front desk before bringing in animals. We do ask that the person surrendering the animal be 18 years of age and have current picture identification such as a driver’s license or picture Id. If you have a current vaccination record on your pet, please bring it with you.
All incoming animals are accepted. Since we are a non-profit organization, we ask for a contribution to help partly cover the costs of caring for a pet while at the Shelter. We will waive all or part of the contribution if you cannot afford to pay it. The Siouxland Humane Society is a non-profit organization, not a tax supported agency, and needs your financial contributions to partly pay for the care of your pet. We handle all types of animals including dogs, cats, birds, horses, cows, goats, rabbits, hamsters and ferrets to name a few.
We cannot and do not guarantee the placement of animals, the length of time an animal will be held for adoption, or that the animal will be held for adoption. Unless your animal was surrendered specifically for euthanasia, the Society will evaluate it for possible placement. The Society places as many animals as possible, however, we cannot guarantee a home for every animal. The animal may be humanely euthanized. The Society cannot answer inquiries as to the disposition of animals received. Please do not ask for this information, it will not be given.
Anyone leaving an animal at the Shelter is given a Release Statement to read and sign. This form states that the surrendered animal becomes the property of the Siouxland Humane Society; that its disposition (adoption or euthanasia) will be determined by the Shelter; and that no information about the animal will be given out once the animal is surrendered. We do not call a former owner if an animal is deemed to be unadoptable and is going to be euthanized.
| Abuse and Neglect Investigations |
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The Siouxland Humane Society investigates and pursues prosecution of reports of animal abuse and neglect in Woodbury County and surrounding counties, excluding the city of Sioux City. We work cooperatively with local law enforcement to bring about justice for all animals, be they companion animals, wildlife, or livestock. We also engage in selected advocacy activities through both the legislative and judicial processes. To report a suspected case of animal abuse or neglect, please contact the Siouxland Humane Society at (712) 252-2614, ext. 7. In Sioux City, contact Animal Control at (712) 279-6170.
Our education program serves the educational needs of the community. We offer quality, age-specific educational programming focusing on responsible pet ownership and care, the importance of spaying and neutering pets, animal abuse and neglect issues, the role of the Humane Society in the community, and other animal related issues. Shelter tours and classroom visits are available for students in the area. Or ask us to attend a meeting of your club, organization, or youth group. Our Shelter mascot "Lonesome" is available for most programs. Teaching children and adults kindness to animals instills a love of ALL life, both animal and human.
| Education |
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Our education program serves the educational needs of the community. We offer quality, age-specific educational programming focusing on responsible pet ownership and care, the importance of spaying and neutering pets, animal abuse and neglect issues, the role of the Humane Society in the community, and other animal related issues. Shelter tours and classroom visits are available for students in the area. Or ask us to attend a meeting of your club, organization, or youth group. Our Shelter mascot "Lonesome" is available for most programs. Teaching children and adults kindness to animals instills a love of ALL life, both animal and human.
| Emergency Medical Fund |
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The Siouxland Humane Society provides help with the cost of caring for sick or injured pets. This Emergency Fund is set up for veterinary care approved on a case to case basis. People interested in the program are required to complete an application and must meet established guidelines.
| Emergency Food and Shelter |
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The Humane Society provides emergency food to pet owners who are struggling to provide proper nutrition for their pets due to unfortunate circumstances. This temporary assistance can help people get back on their feet.
Often individuals who are in domestic violence situations will not leave their pets behind to seek help for themselves. Free temporary boarding is provided for pets belonging to individuals who are in an unsafe home and are seeking a new safe place to live.
Free temporary boarding is also provided for pets in case of disasters. Commonly pet owners who have experienced house fires or flooding need help with the care of their pets.
We work with local agencies such as the American Red Cross, Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Mid Sioux Opportunity, The Center, Salvation Army, and the Sioux City Gospel Mission Woman and Children Shelter to provide emergency housing or food to the pets of families in need. Please call us here at the Shelter for details.
| Euthanasia, Cremation and Pet Loss Support |
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The Siouxland Humane Society realizes there comes a time when the quality of your pet’s life is no longer what it should be. You will be faced with the difficult decision to put your family pet to sleep. Please call on us, we are here to help.
The Humane Society offers euthanasia services for your pet. Pets brought in for euthanasia must be surrendered by their owner who must complete a legal form giving us permission to euthanize the animal. Owners may not be present during the euthanasia procedure. Please call for price information. If financial hardship is a concern, arrangements can be made with the Shelter.
One way many people lovingly remember their pet is by a respectful cremation. The Humane Society offers cremation as an option. Arrangements have been made with local veterinarians to pick up your pet or you may bring it to the Shelter. Prices range from $90.00 to $150.00 depending on the size of your pet and the type of cremation requested.
The death of an animal friend can be one of the most difficult times in the life of the loving human companion. We understand this. If you are anticipating the loss of a pet or wish to talk with someone about the loss of an animal friend, the Pet Loss Support Program can help. We have pet loss support packets here at the Shelter, at many area veterinarians, or one may be sent to you. If you wish to talk to someone about the loss of your pet a trained volunteer facilitator is also available. We are here to help you through this difficult time.
For more information, please contact our office at (712) 252-2614.
| Lost and Found |
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To help get lost pets home safely, the Siouxland Humane Society operates a computerized lost and found service that will quickly let you know if your pet has been found. Many happy reunions of pets and their owners take place in our Shelter every year.
| Pets for Seniors |
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What better companion for a senior citizen than a loving, devoted pet. This program will match special need pets with senior citizens. Many senior citizens find themselves alone and in need of someone to care for and love. On the flipside, many of the over 3000 animals that come through our doors every year are considered "special need" pets because they are older, have a handicap, or for some other reason are deemed undesirable. These pets often are a perfect match for seniors who don’t want to deal with the stress of puppies and kittens and prefer a more settled pet.
Participants in the program must be 60 and older and be retired or working part-time. Pets placed in this program are "special need" pets which include a small dog over age 5, a large dog over 1 year, an adult cat over age 3, a pet with a handicap, or an animal that has not been adopted and is facing euthanasia.
The Siouxland Humane Society will provide the following services:
- A discounted adoption fee of only $20.00.
- Pay for spay/neuter when needed.
- Pay for any needed vaccinations.
- Pay for a heartworm test or a feline leuk/FIV test.
- Provide starter supplies.
- Help with pet transportation problems if needed.
- Work to find the perfect pairing of pets and people.
| Pet Facilitated Therapy |
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Scientists say it’s a proven fact: being around animals makes us feel and function better. It’s called "Pet Therapy," and it’s been shown to be especially effective for those whose lives are otherwise restricted.
Each year Shelter volunteers visit thousands of individuals in retirement centers,
nursing homes and residential care facilities. Those who work with them sometimes tell dramatic stories of the improvements animals have made in the lives of these people. Mostly the victories are small, like the smile of satisfaction on a face or a patient responding to activity around them for the very first time!
In several of the facilities where we formerly brought visiting animals, the residents now have a live-in dog or cat to call their own, provided by another of the Siouxland Humane Society’s programs.
| Pet Wish List |
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If after visiting the animals here at the Shelter you don’t see what you are looking for please let us know. If you have a specific adoption request we may be able to help. Our Pet Wish List is a computerized service designed to match potential adoptees with pets. Requests remain on the list for 30 days and potential adoptees have the option to resubmit their request every 30 days.
| Pet Supplies |
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If you are looking for the purrfect gift for your pet, visit our store inside the Siouxland Humane Society. You will find a good selection of collars and leashes; unique pet toys and treats; designer pet shampoo and cologne; great grooming supplies; pet kennels and taxis; t-shirts; and so much more! All proceeds go directly to help care for the animals in the Shelter.
| Spay/Neuter |
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Every hour in the United States, more than 2,000 dogs and 3,500 cats are born, compared to only 415 humans. The yearly statistics include more than 17 million dogs and 30 million cats. Add these animals to an existing pet population of 54 million dogs and 56 million cats and the total exceeds one billion!
Through our adoption program we find homes for approximately 86% of our adoptable animals, an adoption rate that far exceeds the national average of 37%. Although we are proud of our adoption rate, we wish it were 100%. When incoming animals outnumber the available kennel space, others need to be euthanized to "make room". Currently our staff must euthanize almost 1,000 lovable, healthy companion animals each year, simply because there are too many animals and not enough homes. Estimates forecast more than 10 million healthy, friendly dogs and cats will be euthanized in the United States this year simply because they are "unwanted".
You can save lives and help solve the pet overpopulation tragedy by neutering or spaying your pets. It is the single most important measure that you can take to solve our country’s pet overpopulation crisis. This will reduce the number of dogs and cats being euthanized by reducing the number of pets being born.
Everything starts with spay/neuter. It’s the fundamental first step toward saving homeless dogs and cats. Our spay/neuter assistance programs helps curb the birth rate and ultimately reduce the Shelter population. Today we offer an array of programs. Discounted spay/neuter surgery for dogs and cats adopted from the Shelter. Additional financial assistance for spay/neuter costs is available for applicants who meet established guidelines through a program for dogs and cats adopted from the Shelter. Another program offers discounted spay/neuter surgery for privately acquired dogs and cats in the community. People interested in these programs are required to complete an application and must meet established guidelines. For more information, please contact our office.
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