The Brookings Regional Humane Society is a tax exempt non-profit 501C(3) charitable organization. We do not receive funds from national humane organizations or the national or local United Way. We are not a government agency. We receive no funding from the state or the federal government. Your donations, endowments, memorials, and membership dues are critical to the consistent care of the animals in our society.

The Brookings Regional Humane Society (BRHS) works to help rescue and care for animals that are abandoned, neglected, or needing to be surrendered by their owners. Once an animal is surrendered to the Humane Society they will undergo a medical exam, tested for feline leukemia and FIV (kittens/cats), heartworm disease tested (puppies/dogs), brought current on all age appropriate vaccinations, and spayed or neutered. Cats are kept at the shelter and dogs enter into a foster home where they will receive loving care and socialization until the Society is able to make a match between an adoptive family and the specific animal. The adoption fee for all animals adopted through the Humane Society includes the spaying or neutering of the animal. The BRHS supports the spaying and neutering of animals in order to prevent the overpopulation of unwanted animals.

The current non-profit society began to take shape in 1998 when area animal lovers Jamie Harley, Diana LeFord, Renee Tysdal and Rose Davidson led public meetings in hopes of gathering people who shared their “concern for animals”. Their ultimate goal was to create a non-profit humane society for the Brookings community. The group met with success and formed the Brookings Regional Humane Society which is governed by a board of nine people. Several committees were created to oversee adoption and fostering, fund-raising, membership, newsletter, public relations, volunteers and site. Today there are about 100 members and supporters who work together to prevent animal suffering.

When first established, the BRHS had no physical location, all animals were housed in foster homes and adoption days were held at the Brookings mall over the weekends.

In 2006, BRHS moved to 406 3rd St., in downtown Brookings. The building housed all our cats, kittens and small pets (except for a few temporarily nurtured in foster care in preparation for adoption). Dogs were still kept exclusively in foster homes. The dogs would come into the shelter on Saturdays or by appointment during the week.

 
In the Summer of 2009, having outgrown the downtown location, we moved to our current location at 1027 South Main, Brookings SD. Our largest facility yet, we now have multiple cat colony rooms, kennels and runs for temporary dog care, isolated medical and surgery rooms, a visiting room and plenty more space. With every move we make we are able to serve more of the animals in our community and come closer to our Heart Haven goal.

Board of Directors
BRHS Officers:
President: Dick Peterson
Vice-President: Lisa Sampson
Secretary: Joni Mueller
Treasurer: Dan Jungen


Shelter Director: Robin Hillestad
Medical Advisor/Volunteer Veterinarian: Dr. Rose Davidson, DVM