Meridian Photo has teamed up with the Heartland Humane Society (HHS) to create a 2026 fundraising calendar featuring beloved local pets. Local pet owners brought their furry family members into the Meridian Photo studio, where each was photographed with care. Every image is seasonally themed to reflect the holidays and milestones throughout the year, giving the calendar lasting appeal from January through December.
Each month highlights a different pet, serving as a reminder of the love animals bring in to our lives—and the importance of supporting organizations that work tirelessly to care for a rehome them.
For photographer Cory Loomis, the project is about more than pictures. "This calendar means a great deal to me because it combines what I love most, which is capturing moments, with something that matters deeply, which is giving back to my community," said Loomis. "The Heartland Humane Society does amazing work in helping pets find loving homes, and I am proud to support their mission through this project."
Volunteer coordinator and calendar designer Jill Paulson added, "This had truly been a passion project. Working with cory, coordinating the sponsors and advertisers and creating the overall design of the calendar has been a labor of love, but one that's worth every minute. It's a joy to see local businesses, families and pets come together to support something that makes such a big difference for our shelter."
Funds raised from the sake of the calendars will support adoption programs, veterinary care, and other essential services provided by HHS. Proceeds are critical to helping HHS meet a growing demand for animal intake, with rising costs of veterinary care and supplies. Each purchase not only brings a year of charming pet portraits into home but also makes a real difference in the lives of animals in need.
Heartland Humane Society's Growing Impact
The need for support has never been greater. In 2024, HHS cared for and placed 852 animals into new homes—an impressive number for a community the size of Yankton (population ~15,000). Many similar-sized shelters across the country place only a fraction of that number each year.
Even more remarkable, HHS achieved a 95% live-release rate in 2024, well above the national average of about 83%. As of mid-2025, that rate has risen to 98%, demonstrating the shelter's commitment to finding positive outcomes for nearly every animal that comes through its doors. While most adopted pets find homes in Yankton and Vermillion, HHS's reach extends across the Midwest and beyond—from Rapid City to Minneapolis, and even as far as Washington, D.C. and Texas.
"It's been a few years since HHS has taken on a creative fundraising endeavor as unique as the 2026 calendar, and I'm so thankful to the donors that contributed to the monthly features, advertisements, or pet mentions," said Kerry Feilmeier, HHS Director. "This calendar is community-minded and each sale helps Heartland intake another animal needing our help. Due to increased costs and requests for care, there's never been a higher need to increase donations for the shelter."
Get Your Calendar
Calendars will be available through Heartland Humane Society for $20, with proceeds going directly toward helping pets receive the food, shelter and medical care they need while waiting for their forever homes.
This is a limited-print project—calendars will only be produced based on pre-orders, and the deadline to order is November 1, 2025.
For more information or to order, visit:
