Who We Are
As an all-volunteer 501C3 rescue group in Sioux Falls South Dakota, SEPR's mission is to promote responsible Pit Bull ownership, provide breed education, combat pet overpopulation, and find qualified homes for sound Pit Bull dogs in the United States.
Sioux Empire Pit Rescue (or SEPR) volunteers come from all walks of life: we are nurses, teachers, nonprofit employees, farmers, coaches, and more. The one thing we have in common is a love for dogs, specifically Pit Bull type dogs.
Our dogs come from all walks of life as well! The dogs SEPR takes in may have come from a shelter, where they were days—even minutes—from being euthanized, from neglect/abuse situations, or from “busts” of suspected dog fighting rings. All dogs that SEPR takes in, however, have one thing in common: they are amazing individuals and are ready to become part of a loving family!
Because of our love for dogs and our knowledge of each dog's particular situation and needs, we work hard to make sure each placement is the best one possible for both the dog and the adoptive family. Please do not be discouraged by our application process—think of us as doggie matchmakers! We know our dogs inside and out and will work with you before, during, and after the adoption process to find the right dog for you and to make the transition into your home a smooth and successful one—that is our commitment to you and to these dogs.
Adopting a Pit Bull
Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs for the right family! They are very intelligent and they need a structured home that will teach them how to be well mannered and socialized. Pit Bulls are not a type of dog you adopt to ignore and leave on the end of a chain. Pit Bulls are great in families with kids. They are rough and tumble type dogs that are not easily scared or hurt and love to play and be involved with the family just as much, if not more than the kids do! Pit Bulls love their owners with a heart and devotion unlike any other breed and with this kind of admiration comes great responsibility! To know the love of a Pit Bull is like none other and families that are responsible, committed owners know their dogs are well worth it!
The adoption process begins with the online application. Take some time to look through the adoptable dogs on our site and read their bios—the application will ask you to list the top three dogs you are interested in. The application will also ask you to list references; this is simply to ensure that the wrong kind of people—such as those who may be interested in them only for their reputation—are not adopting our dogs. A volunteer will check your references and do a home visit. Don't be intimidated by the home visit—this is not for us to judge you or your home! Instead, think of it as a time when you and a volunteer can visit face to face about the dog(s) you are interested in. Finally, we will set up a time for you, your family, and your dog (if you have one) to visit with the dog or dogs you are interested in. This meet and greet helps everyone get acquainted and see each other's personalities. Remember, this process is to help you get the best dog possible for your home and family situation. Our dogs desperately want to go to forever homes, and we think they deserve it!
As an all-volunteer 501C3 rescue group in Sioux Falls South Dakota, SEPR's mission is to promote responsible Pit Bull ownership, provide breed education, combat pet overpopulation, and find qualified homes for sound Pit Bull dogs in the United States.
Sioux Empire Pit Rescue (or SEPR) volunteers come from all walks of life: we are nurses, teachers, nonprofit employees, farmers, coaches, and more. The one thing we have in common is a love for dogs, specifically Pit Bull type dogs.
Our dogs come from all walks of life as well! The dogs SEPR takes in may have come from a shelter, where they were days—even minutes—from being euthanized, from neglect/abuse situations, or from “busts” of suspected dog fighting rings. All dogs that SEPR takes in, however, have one thing in common: they are amazing individuals and are ready to become part of a loving family!
Because of our love for dogs and our knowledge of each dog's particular situation and needs, we work hard to make sure each placement is the best one possible for both the dog and the adoptive family. Please do not be discouraged by our application process—think of us as doggie matchmakers! We know our dogs inside and out and will work with you before, during, and after the adoption process to find the right dog for you and to make the transition into your home a smooth and successful one—that is our commitment to you and to these dogs.
Adopting a Pit Bull
Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs for the right family! They are very intelligent and they need a structured home that will teach them how to be well mannered and socialized. Pit Bulls are not a type of dog you adopt to ignore and leave on the end of a chain. Pit Bulls are great in families with kids. They are rough and tumble type dogs that are not easily scared or hurt and love to play and be involved with the family just as much, if not more than the kids do! Pit Bulls love their owners with a heart and devotion unlike any other breed and with this kind of admiration comes great responsibility! To know the love of a Pit Bull is like none other and families that are responsible, committed owners know their dogs are well worth it!
The adoption process begins with the online application. Take some time to look through the adoptable dogs on our site and read their bios—the application will ask you to list the top three dogs you are interested in. The application will also ask you to list references; this is simply to ensure that the wrong kind of people—such as those who may be interested in them only for their reputation—are not adopting our dogs. A volunteer will check your references and do a home visit. Don't be intimidated by the home visit—this is not for us to judge you or your home! Instead, think of it as a time when you and a volunteer can visit face to face about the dog(s) you are interested in. Finally, we will set up a time for you, your family, and your dog (if you have one) to visit with the dog or dogs you are interested in. This meet and greet helps everyone get acquainted and see each other's personalities. Remember, this process is to help you get the best dog possible for your home and family situation. Our dogs desperately want to go to forever homes, and we think they deserve it!
ADOPTION FEES: $150.00 (+ $20 for micro-chip registration) means that all dogs adopted out by the rescue are spayed/neutered, up to date on vaccinations, and micro chipped. They have been seen by a vet and any health concerns have been addressed. Since SEPR is an all foster home rescue, know that you will be getting a dog who has been living with a family and working on manners/obedience, socialization, house training, crate training, walking on leash with a gentle leader—all the good stuff that comes with living in a home! You can also rest assured that we will know these dogs inside and out—their personality quirks; whether they are cat, dog, or child friendly; their health needs, etc. These things all help you have a more successful adoption experience!
Restrictions:
Due to the different levels of dog aggression in the breed, SEPR has a few adoption restrictions. Please remember that we have these restrictions in order to give our dogs and their adoptive families the best shot possible at a peaceful, happy, long life together!
*SEPR does not encourage same-sex placements. Two (or more) dogs of the same sex are more likely to end up in tussles, and we want to avoid that from the get-go! SEPR also asks that the following guidelines be kept in your home: Do not leave dogs together unsupervised. Watch play time so that it does not become too rough or escalate. Be very careful to monitor things that could be triggers for fighting such as toys, bones, and treats. This goes for kids and dogs, too, as children are notoriously bad at heeding a dog's “stop it” signs.
*All other pets in the residence must be spayed or neutered and all pets up to date on vaccinations.
*SEPR dogs are not allowed at local dog parks. Play dates/socialization? SEPR is all for it, but dog parks can be a recipe for disaster with negligent owners often not paying close attention to what their four legged canines are doing. Dog parks also can be a breeding ground for disease as there is no way to ensure other canines are current on vaccinations.
*SEPR requires all applicants must be 21 years of age.
*SEPR dogs are adopted to be inside the home, “part of the family” dogs only.
*SEPR dogs will be required to attend some type of basic obedience class within 90 days of their adoption. (SEPR's "Train-a-bull," which is offered during the warmer months, is free for alumni and would meet this requirement)
*Families wanting to adopt SEPR puppies under 1 year of age with small children 4 years of age and under will be reviewed on a case by case basis. We understand that raising a puppy properly takes a lot of time and with small children in a home time can be a limited commodity.
Restrictions:
Due to the different levels of dog aggression in the breed, SEPR has a few adoption restrictions. Please remember that we have these restrictions in order to give our dogs and their adoptive families the best shot possible at a peaceful, happy, long life together!
*SEPR does not encourage same-sex placements. Two (or more) dogs of the same sex are more likely to end up in tussles, and we want to avoid that from the get-go! SEPR also asks that the following guidelines be kept in your home: Do not leave dogs together unsupervised. Watch play time so that it does not become too rough or escalate. Be very careful to monitor things that could be triggers for fighting such as toys, bones, and treats. This goes for kids and dogs, too, as children are notoriously bad at heeding a dog's “stop it” signs.
*All other pets in the residence must be spayed or neutered and all pets up to date on vaccinations.
*SEPR dogs are not allowed at local dog parks. Play dates/socialization? SEPR is all for it, but dog parks can be a recipe for disaster with negligent owners often not paying close attention to what their four legged canines are doing. Dog parks also can be a breeding ground for disease as there is no way to ensure other canines are current on vaccinations.
*SEPR requires all applicants must be 21 years of age.
*SEPR dogs are adopted to be inside the home, “part of the family” dogs only.
*SEPR dogs will be required to attend some type of basic obedience class within 90 days of their adoption. (SEPR's "Train-a-bull," which is offered during the warmer months, is free for alumni and would meet this requirement)
*Families wanting to adopt SEPR puppies under 1 year of age with small children 4 years of age and under will be reviewed on a case by case basis. We understand that raising a puppy properly takes a lot of time and with small children in a home time can be a limited commodity.
Come Visit Us
Sioux Empire Pit Rescue does not have a facility and runs strictly through volunteers. If you have questions and would like more information please feel free to email and a volunteer will quickly respond to you. SEPR is also now on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Become a fan and get daily and weekly updates about what is happening and how the dogs are doing.
Visit the SEPR event page to find where and when the dogs and volunteers will be out on location for meet and greets!
Sioux Empire Pit Rescue does not have a facility and runs strictly through volunteers. If you have questions and would like more information please feel free to email and a volunteer will quickly respond to you. SEPR is also now on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Become a fan and get daily and weekly updates about what is happening and how the dogs are doing.
Visit the SEPR event page to find where and when the dogs and volunteers will be out on location for meet and greets!