Programs & Services

Our flexible adoption program sends almost a thousand animals to their forever homes each year.
The adoption process includes a short Adoption Questionnaire and interview process where we work to make sure each home is a suitable match for the animal being adopted. If the adopter rents their home we then contact the landlord to minimize the need for animal returns. Once the application and interview process is complete and all adoption fees are paid the spayed/neutered animal goes home with their new family.

Our Four Day Hold option allows adopters some time to make decisions and prepare for the arrival of their new family member. With this option there is the Adoption Deposit form that must be filled out and accompanied by a $20 deposit. The deposit may be made in the form of cash or through a credit/debit card. We are even willing to take card payments over the phone. When the adoption is finalized the deposit is applied to the adoption fee.

When calling from out of the area, please alert shelter staff. For those coming from out of state or out of the country, we do need to obtain an out of state or out of country health certificate from a veterinarian prior to the animal leaving the shelter. This may take an extra day or two for processing.

Each animal that goes home is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and examined by a member of our veterinary staff.

View our available pets by stopping by the shelter or visiting Petfinder.com online. Contact the shelter to verify availability.

Surrender Program:
We take in surrendered/relinquished pets whose owners are no longer able to care for them. We ask that people call in to make arrangements and/or an appointment as space is limited. If we are full we will put the owner on a "surrender" list. We ask for a donation to help us get the pet ready to be adopted. Fees are dependant on the type of animal. Please call the shelter, you may leave a message if we are not open. 320-235-7612. We ask that you fill out our Dog Surrender or Cat Surrender forms in advance.

Foster Care Program:
You could become a Foster Care Home for an animal in need...The perfect opportunity to enjoy the company of a rescued shelter animal without the commitment of adoption! Many are waiting now for your call! If you are interested in becoming a foster home for an animal in need, please contact the shelter at shelter@thehskc.com or call us at 320-235-7612.

Spay/Neuter Assistance Program:
When funds are available, we offer an assistance program to help with the spay/neuter of animals within Kandiyohi County. There is also a mobile unit that comes to town a few times a year. Please check out MN Snap to find out when the unit will be in your area. To see if you qualify for assistance, please fill out the financial aid application carefully and contact the shelter with any questions you might have.

How it Works

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It consists of a tiny computer chip housed in a type of glass made to be compatible with living tissue. The microchip is implanted between the dog's shoulder blades under the skin with a needle and special syringe. The process is similar to getting a shot. Little to no pain is experienced - most dogs do not seem to even feel it being implanted. Once in place, the microchip can be detected immediately with a handheld device that uses radio waves to read the chip. This device scans the microchip, and then displays a unique alphanumeric code. Once the microchip is placed, the dog must be registered with the microchip company, usually for a one-time fee. Then, the dog can be traced back to the owner if found.

Things You Should Know

Microchips are designed to last for the life of a dog. They do not need to be charged or replaced.
Some microchips have been known to migrate from the area between the shoulder blades, but the instructions for scanning emphasize the need to scan the dog’s entire body.
A microchipped dog can be easily identified if found by a shelter or veterinary office in possession of a scanner. However, some shelters and veterinary offices do not.

Pet Therapy Visits:
Once a month Bobbie visits the Treatment Center and Bethesda Day Activity Center with her two collies, a shelter dog and shelter kitties. There is a volunteer from Copperleaf Senior Living facility that comes in on Wednesdays and picks up a small dog to take back to the residents for a visit. We also visit the Kennedy Elementary Kindegartners in May and talk about Pet Care and how to be safe around animals.

Mobile Pet Vaccination Clinic:
We generally run 2 -3 vaccination clinics per year - In the spring, summer and fall. Approximately 180 animals and their owners benefited from this service. These clinics are open to the public. Animals are examined by Ridgewater College Veterinary Technology students and there is a Veterinarian on site to administer distemper and Rabies vaccinations to pets.

Pit Bull Boot Camp:
In June 2010 we held a Pitbull Boot Camp. Dr. Melissa Shelton and her husband Winston provided training to our staff and volunteers on how to work with and promote this breed of dog.

5 Day Hold on Stray Animals:
By law we must hold a stray animal for 5 business days so that the owner has the opportunity to claim their pet. After 5 days, the animal becomes the property of the Humane Society. The animal is evaluated, vaccinated and spayed or neutered and is put on the adoption floor. We are not able to adopt out animals with severe temperment issues or severe medical issues.

Public Education on Animal Care:
We receive complaints about the care of animals and we refer those calls to law enforcement. We do go out and assist officers on animal complaints if neccessary. Most calls can be handled by talking with the owners about proper care of their pet. Every animal that is adopted goes home with a packet of materials. The Petfinder website has a library with alot of animal care tips.

Animal Food Shelf:
At times we will get pet food donated that we make available for families in need. To see if you qualify for this assistance, please call the shelter and ask for Bobbie.

Sponsors:

ShelterCare Pet Insurance covers any unexpected medical expenses and generates funds for our shelter with your applications. We receive $25.00 for every application received from our shelter link to help with the cost of blankets, litter, food, etc. Make the right move and enroll today!

At Hills, supporting shelters' efforts through the Science Diet Shelter Nutrition Partnership is an important part of our mission. Like the shelter community, we believe in the strength of the relationship between people and their pets. Shelters nurture that relationship through their dedication to finding good homes for the animals in their care. We nurture it through the highest quality nutrition.