For many years, Rescue Network has worked closely with Native American Reservations throughout South Dakota, becoming a leading rescue partner for communities where access to veterinary care, animal welfare resources, and sheltering options can be extremely limited. While South Dakota is our primary focus, we also assist Reservations in North Dakota and Minnesota whenever possible.
Through our Supporting People and Pets on Tribal Lands program, we work directly with Reservation partners to help animals in need, regardless of how extensive or expensive their medical needs may be.
It started on a reservation.
In 2017, our founder fostered three mangy puppies from a reservation. A few weeks later, at an adoption event, she spotted their mother, a heartbroken dog named Shasta. Within minutes, the decision was made.
Shasta had been living outside, raising six puppies on an old mattress, and a photo of that scene was the beginning of Rescue Network. Today we partner with every reservation in South Dakota and several in North Dakota. Shasta still lives with our founder.
1,687
of the 2,214 animals who came into our care in 2025 came from Reservations in South Dakota, Minnesota and North Dakota. See our impact.
The animals we welcome.
Many of the animals we welcome have experienced significant trauma, neglect, or untreated medical conditions. Some arrive with injuries from being hit by vehicles, gunshot wounds, broken bones requiring orthopedic surgery, severe mange, infectious diseases, or other serious medical concerns. We often commit to helping these animals before knowing the full extent of the care they will require.
From a Reservation to a foster home.
Reservation partners
We work directly with Reservation partners to help animals in need, whatever their medical needs.
Vetting
Animals get their first age-appropriate vaccines at intake. In South Dakota, general vetting is done at Beresford Vet Clinic, one of our partners.
Foster homes
Most live in volunteer foster homes in South Dakota and Minnesota until they are adopted. We are 100% foster-based, so there is no shelter building.
More than saving animals.
It’s also about helping the people and communities they come from.
Animal overpopulation can create serious challenges for communities, including large numbers of roaming dogs, increased risk of dog bites, the spread of diseases, and concerns for the safety of children, families, and other animals. By helping reduce stray animal populations through rescue, sterilization, and partnerships with local communities, we are working to create safer, healthier environments for both people and pets.
Our commitment goes beyond simply bringing animals into rescue. We believe in building lasting relationships with the communities we serve, supporting their efforts to address animal overpopulation, and providing resources wherever possible. By working together, we can make a lasting difference that benefits the entire community.
Help for families on the Reservations.
Our resource pages list help that families on and near the Reservations can use. The Oglala Pet Project on the Pine Ridge Reservation keeps a pet food bank for community members who can’t otherwise afford food for their pets, and offers spay/neuter guidance and pet wellness clinics. Our low-cost spay/neuter page lists more clinics across South Dakota.
Because helping animals also means helping people.
Every animal we rescue and every step we take toward reducing overpopulation contributes to safer communities and a better future for both people and pets.
Tribal lands questions.
What people ask us about this program.
Which Reservations does Rescue Network work with?
Do you take animals with serious medical needs?
Can I adopt a dog or cat from a Reservation?
How can I help animals from the Reservations?
Do you help families on the Reservations with their own pets?
Support this program.
Your gift helps us say yes to animals on tribal lands, whatever their medical needs.
Our other programs: Paws Against Parvo and Southern Paws to Midwest Homes. See all three.