BeautyThe 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), and brought current on all age appropriate vaccinations. The animal then enters 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 BRHS is supported exclusively by caring volunteers who wish to help in the care of animals needing loving homes. It is often asked how can a person, group, and/or organization help support the animals of the BRHS. This page is designed to provide ideas of how a person, group, and/or organization can help the Society fulfill their mission.


Please consider supporting the Brookings Regional Humane Society in any one of the following ways:

  • Volunteer to help at an adoption day.
  • Volunteer to help at one of the many fundraisers sponsored by the BRHS.
  • Volunteer to help on one of the BRHS’s Committees
  • Be willing to sponsor a pet in the Society by financially supporting their preliminary medical costs. BRHS is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our animals and ensure that all animals go through an extensive medical exam. By sponsoring an animal through covering their medical care will ensure that funds can then be directed towards the care of another animal. The average medical cost for an animal within the BRHS ranges from $50 to $150 for kittens/cat and $75 to $180 for puppies/dogs.
  • Collecting and placing aluminum cans in the BRHS’s recycle bin behind the Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital, and behind True Value.
  • Making donations to the Heart Haven Facility Fund, which is a fund that has been developed to support the construction of a new BRHS facility dedicated to the care of the animals. A $100 donation purchases one square foot of the Hearts Haven Facility. With the donation the sponsor will be given a brick with their name printed on it, which then will be placed in the walkway to the society. The brick will function as a perpetual remembrance to your commitment to the Society.
  • Develop suggestions for fundraising events and help in the launching of those fundraising events.
  • Residence Halls can conduct penny wars between other Residence Halls, with proceeds going to the BRHS.
  • Donating food, litter, and pet supplies for animals in foster care. The Humane Society provides for the total care of animals while in the care of their foster home. All donations are welcomed and appreciated.
  • Encouraging friends and family members that are considering adding a pet to their home to adopt through the BRHS.
  • Placing spare change in money jars located at participating businesses in the Brookings community.
  • Earmarking Memorials to the Brookings Regional Humane Society.
  • The Society is welcoming endowments and corporate sponsors.
  • Become a foster home or encourage someone you know who could be a foster home to apply. Without our foster homes the BRHS cannot accept surrendered animals. The larger the number of foster homes the more animals we are able to care for.
  • Become a member of the BRHS.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE BROOKINGS REGIONAL HUMANE SOCIETY! REMEMBER, PLEASE DO NOT LITTER - SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!

"Overpopulation is a problem in this community, not just in big cities where you would expect that."
Rose Davidson, DVM

Non-profit society grew out of concern for animals Exerpt from the Brookings Register In March, 1998, area animal lovers Jamie Harley, Diana LeFord, Renee Tysdal and Rose Davidson led public meetings in hopes of gathering people who shared their sentiment. 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 10 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 who work together to prevent animal suffering.

Board of Directors
BRHS Officers:
President: Jessica Driver
Vice-President: Diane Riedesl
Secretary: Sara Ensloe
Treasurer: Denise Hovland
BRHS Directors:
Joni Mueller
Stephanie Erschens
Danalee Evenson: Shelter Director
Dr. Rose Davidson, DVM: Medical Advisor/Volunteer Veterinarian