FAQ

• What are your hours?
• How many animals does the Humane Society of Indianapolis take in every day/year?
• How many animals does the Humane Society place in new homes?
• What do I need to do to adopt an animal?
• How much does adoption cost?
• May I adopt a pet as a gift for someone else?
• How many animals can IndyHumane care for at once?
• How long do animals stay at IndyHumane?
• How long do you keep the animals before they are euthanized?
• Do you provide owner-requested euthanasia? Do you offer cremation services?
• I found a stray animal. What should I do?
• I can no longer keep my pet. Can I bring it to the Humane Society?
• Is there a charge to leave an animal with you?
• I'm having difficulties with my pet. Can you help with behavior issues?
• My animal is sick. Can I bring it to you for treatment?
• Where can I get low-cost vet care or have my animal spayed/neutered?
• Do you have special pet pricing for senior citizens, the handicapped, or disabled?
• What is IndyHumane's budget?
• What other services do you offer?
• How can I help?

Q: What are your hours?

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1pm - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm
Closed Thursday & Holidays

Q: How many animals does the Humane Society of Indianapolis take in every day/year?

The number of animals we take in daily varies from season to season. It averages 9 to 10 per day (or just over 3,000 per year).

Q: How many animals does the Humane Society place in new homes?

In 2011, we helped 2,361 cats and dogs find homes through adoption, reuniting lost and found pets with their owners, and rescue transfers.

Q: What do I need to do to adopt an animal?

Learn about adopting in the Find a Pet section of the site.

Q: How much does adoption cost?

So often, adopters fall in love with the fuzzy kitten or playful puppy and pass over older pets awaiting a forever home. There are so many desirable and attractive qualities in a more mature pet that we encourage adopters to explore all of the possibilities. Minimum adoption donations range from $35 to $195 depending on species and age. You can expect the average cost of care for a pet to be $1,000 or more a year.

Q: May I adopt a pet as a gift for someone else?

Adopting a pet is a personal, lifestyle decision, and all potential adopters are carefully counseled by our Adoption Counselors to ensure that the pet and adopter are a good match. If you’re considering adopting a pet as a gift, we recommend that you, instead, purchase a gift certificate. Gift certificates are available at our Adoption Center. Our gift certificates may be redeemed by adopters for any of our adoptable pets!

Q: How many animals can IndyHumane care for at once?

IndyHumane can care for 250 - 275 puppies, kittens, and adult dogs and cats at any given time. These animals include not only adoptable animals, but cats and dogs awaiting and recovering from medical treatment. We also have a network of more than 100 foster families who care for animals with special medical or behavioral needs.

Q: How long do animals stay at IndyHumane?

In 2011, the average adopted animal’s length of stay was between two and three weeks. Puppies and kittens usually spend a short amount of time in the shelter, whereas older and/or bigger animals often have a more difficult time finding a forever home. Additionally, black dogs and cats often have a longer length of stay, and there are even other animal-welfare organizations devoted to finding these animals homes.

Q: How long do you keep the animals before they are euthanized?

Our animals don’t have an expiration date - there is no predetermined time limit for how long an animal can remain on the adoption floor. We don’t put animals down for space - animals are only euthanized due to major medical concerns or severe behavior and aggression problems. We use every resource available to IndyHumane before having to come to that very difficult decision. We’ve also been placing more and more animals with special needs into caring homes. We’ve recently adopted out animals being treated for heartworm, animals with poor eyesight or hearing, animals whose limbs were amputated after being hit by cars, and even a puppy attacked by another dog on the streets before she came to us. We also have a caring network of more than 100 dedicated foster homes that help us with animals who need the support of a loving home until they find their permanent family.

Q: Do you provide owner-requested euthanasia? Do you offer cremation services?

The Humane Society of Indianapolis offers euthanasia and disposal services to the public, including cremation and memorial packages. Euthanasia is a $60 flat rate. Cremation and memorial package fees vary.

Q: I found a stray animal. What should I do?

Take the animal to Indianapolis Animal Care & Control or call us to make an appointment for surrender to IndyHumane at 317.872.5650 x0. As the largest shelter in the state, Animal Care & Control is equipped to care for a larger number of animals, and can assess fines and investigate possible animal cruelty when necessary. Note: IACC does have to euthanize for space.  Learn more on surrendering a pet.

Q: I can no longer keep my pet. Can I bring it to the Humane Society?

Refer to the resources and contact info on our Giving Up Your Pet information page before deciding to surrender your dog or cat to us. Upon arrival at Incoming Animals, each animal is evaluated for temperament and health. If determined adoptable, animals are vaccinated, groomed if needed and made available to the public. We always recommend that you consider all your options before surrendering your pet. Notify friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers that you need to find a new home for your pet. This type of networking can have very positive results. We cannot guarantee your animal will be adopted nor can we provide you with any information about the animal once it is in our care. By surrendering your pet to us, you are relinquishing ownership of and responsibility for that pet to the Humane Society. Our goal is to place your pet in a loving lifetime home. Though we do not euthanize for space, pets that do not pass the mandatory health and temperament evaluation will not be placed for adoption.

Q: Is there a charge to leave an animal with you?

No, but we accept monetary donations or pet supplies you no longer need to help us care for the animal.

Q: I’m having difficulties with my pet. Can you help with behavior issues?

There are several ways we can help owners of dogs and cats with issues such as house training, scratching, excessive barking and other common challenges. For help, call the Behavior Hotline at 317.876.2173. You can also email cat and dog behavior questions to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Q: My animal is sick. Can I bring it to you for treatment?

We only treat animals that have been surrendered to us. We are unable to provide medical care to privately owned animals. Contact a veterinarian for care and treatment of your pet; check out the Emergency Vet Care page for 24-hour vets and others providing emergency services to cats and dogs.

Q: Where can I get low-cost vet care or have my animal spayed/neutered?

For low cost spay/neuter information go to www.spayindiana.org.

Q: Do you have special pet pricing for senior citizens, the handicapped, or disabled?

Seniors receive a discount of $50.00 off of regular adoption fees. And with our partner Pets for Patriots, we also offer discounts to members of the U.S. military.

Q: What is IndyHumane’s budget?

IndyHumane has a balanced budget of $2.8 million. Income comes from private donors, corporate donations, adoption fees, and other goods & services such as retail items, Canine Training School obedience classes, and Pet Park passes.

Q: What other services do you offer?

IndyHumane’s Pet Park offers a safe, fenced area, canine agility course, wooded trails, and was voted one of the top 10 pet parks in the nation by members of HelpingAnimals.com.

Our Re-Tail store in the IndyHumane adoption lobby offers leashes, collars, tags, food, toys, treats, crates, bowls, and more for your furry friend.

The Canine Training School is a great place for you and your doggy friend to learn some obedience and tricks based on your dog’s abilities.

Low-cost microchipping is a safe, effective and permanent way of identifying your animal. For only $10, you can have your pet microchipped and registered, so if your pet is recovered after being lost or stolen, vets and shelters across the country can identify them and contact you.

IndyHumane's Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic offers pet owners an opportunity to keep their animals up-to-date on their yearly shots without needing to take a trip to their personal vet. The clinic also offers heartworm tests and heartworm and flea and tick preventative. No appointments are needed during clinic hours.

Q: How can I help?

Volunteer There are many, many ways in which you can volunteer your time, skills, and enthusiasm for the animals! You can walk dogs, help with obedience, keep the animals healthy, or even use your specific abilities for special projects ? there are opportunities to help for everyone!

Foster Want to help but don’t necessarily have the money? We’ll take care of the animal’s health, toy and food costs ? all you need to do is be willing to keep an animal in your home, give it TLC, and bring it to us for regular appointments until it can be placed for adoption.

Donate You can donate money online, donate goods to the shelter, honor loved ones with memorials and statue tags, offer planned gifts, corporate sponsorships, and more. We even have a wish list of needed items on our website.

Spay/neuter Please have your animals spayed or neutered to prevent more animals from filling shelters nationwide.

Adopt, don’t shop! Many pet stores get their dogs from puppy mills. Only 20% of pet dogs and cats are adopted, yet millions fill shelters every year, and many of those are euthanized.