Connecting great pets and great people

Our adoption application is easy and helps staff understand the qualities you are looking for in your new pet.

If you are ready, you can adopt your pet the same day you meet them! We are open for adoptions as follows:

Mondays: By Appointment ONLY
Tuesdays - Fridays: 10am to 4:30pm
Saturdays - 9am to 12pm
Sundays - By Appointment ONLY

See Available Pets
A woman smiling with a white dog wearing a colorful harness outdoors under a bridge.
Close-up of a tabby cat lying comfortably in a round, gray-patterned bed.

Mission & Values

Hello!

Heartland Humane Society (HHS) is a limited-admissions animal shelter committed to providing compassionate care and responsible placement for pets in need.

At the heart of our mission is a dedication to animal welfare and creating lasting bonds between pets and people. Whether through adoption, foster care, or outreach, HHS works to find loving homes and provide second chances for animals in our care.

Thank you for choosing animal rescue over other options.

ABOUT
ABOUT

History

HHS was established in 2001, formerly known as the Yankton Area Humane Society. Today, the shelter focuses on serving Yankton and Clay counties primarily with an additional twelve-county area often receiving services.

It is a limited admissions facility – meaning that staff is able to intake animals by appointment only and when appropriate space and resources are available.

All of the animals receive proper vet care, including vaccines and preventative care. The medical team tests for Heartworm in our canines and feline leukemias in our felines. Local veterinarians work onsite to perform all spay and neuter surgeries and animal care at our facility. Animals are microchipped prior to adoption.

The shelter hosts 19 canine kennels on our adoption floor plus additional spaces for enrichment and socialization for volunteer use. The cat adoption floor is home to 6 cat suites, four community rooms and 5 kitten kennels plus volunteer socialization rooms.

A dog inside a metal kennel with a teal-colored wall, a sign, and a leash hanging on the cage door.
A cat with light brown fur and darker stripes, mid-meow or yawn, with mouth open and eyes wide, inside a room with blue walls.

Success Stories

  • Abbott Pry

    Adoption - Abbott

    We adopted Abbott in September 2025 after he arrived at Heartland in very poor health, and they lovingly nursed him back to health so he could make his way to his forever home. We couldn’t have asked for a better puppy for our puppy—he keeps everyone on their toes and brings so much joy to our home, and we are incredibly thankful to Heartland for giving him the care and love he needed until he found us!

  • Dori Nelson

    Adoption - Dori

    I adopted my dog 13 years ago from Heartland, and since then I've volunteered both in the shelter and at home as a foster for dogs. In all three ways, I've experienced the caring, professionalism, and genuine joy that the staff has for each and every animal in their care. They are truly with you every step of the way during the adoption process and after you bring your new family member home.

Impact

An infographic titled 'Impact Report: Q1&Q2, 2026' from Heartland Humane Society. It includes various statistics about animals rescued, adoptions, pet sponsorships, and community outreach efforts with the Heartland Humane Society logo in the top right corner.
Key Stats & Outcomes
A small, young puppy wrapped in a red towel being cared for.

Get Involved

The involvement of community members, volunteers, donors and countless supporters is vital to the success and growth of Heartland Humane Society.

If looking to get involved just by donating, please check out our list of items we currently need below. You can also check out our Wish Lists! We appreciate everyone donating to HHS and our furry friends!

Heartland Humane Society is expanding the focus on community outreach. Check out our programming page to learn more or email Abi at donate@sdheartlandhumanesociety.com.

A small dog getting a bath in a stainless steel tub, with a person washing its fur and a bottle of shampoo or soap nearby.

Volunteer

Here at Heartland Humane Society, our volunteers are vital to our success. Our volunteers make it possible for us to help all the animals located at the shelter and in foster care each day. We are excited to have you join us!

Volunteer
Volunteer
A black and white cat lying on a wooden surface, with decorative items and a framed landscape painting behind it.

Foster

“Saving one animal will not change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal.”

A foster home is a temporary living situation for pets in our program while they are awaiting placement in a permanent home. Foster families provide shelter, food, care and love. Heartland incurs the costs - you contribute the time.

Foster
Foster

Contact Us!

Have an idea or a question? Send us a note and we’ll get back to you soon.

Our Hours:

Sunday : CLOSED (Adoption appointments by request)

Monday: CLOSED (Adoption and Intake appointments by request)

Tuesday-Friday: 10am - 5pm

Saturdays: 10am - 12pm