Click Here For The Pet Adoption Application Form

Click on the Important Links page for shelters and rescues in this area.

CASH FOR CRITTERS?  BRING EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES AND DIGITAL CELL PHONES TO  YOUR PET STOP, 501 EAST 41st STREET. THEY WILL BE SENT TO THE RECYCLE CENTER AND PET PALS WILL RECEIVE FROM  $1.00 - $5.00 PER CARTRIDGE OR CELL PHONE

PET PALS FOR LIFE IS AN ALL VOLUNTEER 501c3 ORGANIZATION.  DONATIONS TO ASSIST WITH OUR VETTING, ALTERING AND RE-HOMING PET EXPENSES MAY BE SENT TO PET PALS FOR LIFE, P.O. BOX 173, SIOUX FALLS SD 57101.

MAMMA EMMA 

Janelle spotted her in a backyard in freezing temperatures.  She was starving, trying to survive and feed her newly born puppies.  Janelle asked the family if they would accept food to help this mama dog and her pups.  They said it was okay.  So begin the first of several efforts to help this beautiful dog.  Janelle called her Big Libby.   

Over the weeks, Janelle returned to see how Big Libby and her pups were doing.  Two had already died and the others were barely hanging on.  Janelle asked the family again if she could take the smallest one who was barely breathing.  She named the pup Mato which means “little bear”.  Janelle had Mato vetted and took him home where he grew strong and healthy.  Then she asked Pet Pals For Life if we could help find him a home.  We did.  Mato is very happy with his new owner. 

In a few weeks, Janelle returned to see how the other puppies were doing.  Another one was barely hanging on, so Janelle also had him vetted and took him home to recover.  She named him Zoomba, and like Mato, nursed him to health, then found him a home. 

It wasn’t long after that Janelle found Big Libby in the street.  She was starving and had been shot and hit by a car.  Janelle took her home and nursed her through the night until she could get her to the local rural vet.  It was recommended that x-rays be taken to see how severe the injuries were and where the bullets were lodged.  It did not look good.  Janelle contacted Pet Pals.  We had Janelle transport her to our larger vet clinic so that another analysis could be made.  The vet determined that her leg and hip had been badly injured and that one bullet had gone through her ear and the other was lodged in her lip. 

We knew helping Big Libby back to health with vetting would be more expensive than our small group could handle.  So Rona contacted RAGOM to see if they would accept this golden girl into their rescue even though she was a yellow Lab, not a Golden Retriever.  They said yes. 

We decided to rename this mama dog Emma because of her gentle nature.  Emma needed a special foster mom with the knowledge and skill to help nurse her back to health prior to any adoption into a new family.  Kristin became the health provider Emma required.  Over the ensuing weeks, with Kristin’s expert care, Emma slowly begin the journey back to health.  Argos, the family Leon Berger, kept a watchful eye on Emma through the sliding glass door. 

Through a series of ensuing x-rays and vetting, it was determined that Emma should go to the RAGOM veterinary clinic for additional surgeries.  After two weeks, Kristin brought her back to her home for the final stages of nursing and recovery.  All of the other household pups helped Emma through her rehabilitation. 

When it was decided Emma was ready for a new, loving family, she was placed for adoption.  The right family came along and Emma has now been adopted through RAGOM into a loving home.

"We would like to thank everyone involved in saving this beautiful dog.  Those of us who were involved in her rescue and rehabilitation have been deeply touched by her gentle spirit and loving disposition.  Through all the pain she endured it was as if she knew that kind humans were helping her.  Emma is truly a “Mama Dog”."

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 "SAVING ONE ANIMAL WILL NOT CHANGE THE WORLD -
BUT IT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD FOR THAT ONE ANIMAL”  

Pet Pals For Life ~ P.O. Box 173 ~ Sioux Falls SD 57101
petpals@sio.midco.net