Hanson Family Foundation's Animal Resource Center (ARC) Announces New Partnership with Human Animal Support Services (HASS)
- Darci Willemssen
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 7
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Project Aims to Transform Area Animal Welfare Systems through Innovative Programs and Services
Sioux Falls, SD (February 4, 2025) -- The Hanson Family Foundation's Animal Resource Center (ARC) has been selected to be a Partner Organization of the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) project. This international coalition is designed to transform the animal sheltering system with innovative solutions and unite with human service organizations to support both people and pets in need.
Recognizing a desperate need for pet support and social services, organizations across the country came together to create HASS by reimagining a welfare system that solved pet and people problems alike. By embracing four distinctive pathways, ARC will provide a range of services and solutions to better support the people and pets of the Sioux Falls Area. These include services that expand the animal welfare’s capacity for care within communities and address key issues Americans face daily such as economic hardship, access to veterinary care or housing-related challenges.
ARC is among an elite group of more than 300 progressive animal welfare industry professions to become partner organizations. HASS also actively collaborates with top industry leaders such as the Humane Society of the United States., Shelter Animals Count, National Animal Care & Control Association and more.
“We are honored to be part of this collaboration of innovative shelters having goals so closely aligned with our community vision,” says Brad Hanson, Chief Executive Officer. “The Sioux Falls region will join a fantastic roster of elite cities in this initiative that are paving the way for a new model of animal welfare in the U.S.”
“At the heart of the HASS project is collaboration,” said Elkie Wills, Director of HASS. "We welcome all animal welfare organizations to mobilize the movement for change and work together to support both ends of the leash.”
For more information on ARC’s HASS initiatives, please visit animalresourcecenter.com. For more information about HASS, go to humananimalsupportservices.org.
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About the Hanson Family Foundation for the Well-Being of God's Creatures
The Hanson Family Foundation for the Well-Being of God's Creatures, founded in 2023, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on keeping pets and their families together. Following a 2024 community needs-assessment, they are committed to reducing pet overpopulation, providing affordable veterinary care, low-cost spay/neuter services, and removing geographical and financial barriers that force families to surrender their pets to area animal shelters and rescues. Working collaboratively with existing animal welfare organizations in the region, the Hanson Family Foundation launched three new initiatives in 2025: Animal Resource Center (ARC), Pet Wellness Veterinary Hospital and All God's Creatures Equine Rescue & Sanctuary. To learn more, visit www.animalresourcecenter.com.
About Human Animal Support Services (HASS):
The Human Animal Support Services (HASS) project is a movement seeking to revolutionize the animal welfare industry by leading with and embracing a community support model. By providing both private and municipal animal shelters with equitable access to data-driven resources, education, and implementation tools, HASS aims to create pathways toward unified support systems for pets and their people in every community. HASS encompasses a network of more than 1,500 animal and human welfare professionals. A project facilitated by Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), HASS’s 41 pilot shelters and 300+ partner organizations have joined the movement by committing to implement the HASS model. To learn more, visit www.humananimalsupportservices.org.