Vote if you:

• have taken pet-training classes at the Humane Society of Indianapolis
• appreciate positive, reward-based obedience techniques
• just want to support pets in need at IndyHumane

IndyHumane’s Canine Training School offers a variety of classes for puppies, “tweeners,” and mature adult dogs, including “Reality” class, which offers dogs and their families the opportunity to learn obedience skills in various fun settings around Indianapolis such as the Monon Trail in Broad Ripple (pictured).

Thank you for voting! We appreciate your support.

I’m Samantha, a one-year-old, beautiful cat! I’m a long-haired feline looking for a loving, longtime home. While I would love all of your attention and would be perfectly happy as an only cat, I get along with other cats after a short while, too. I also enjoy being brushed and perching in windows. Visit me today - I could be your perfect match!

Thanks to everyone who has adopted, donated, volunteered and supported IndyHumane’s services and mission, especially in the past week!

Last week, our staffing and financial resources were at their limits, with almost 550 animals in our care. Since this announcement one week ago, we’re thrilled that 113 dogs and cats of all ages, breeds and sizes have been adopted into loving homes!

Thanks to your support, animals like Colby, a Chinese Shar-Pei/Bull Terrier mix adopted last week (pictured in his new home), find loving families almost every day.

The need is still great, though: our small team is working hard to behaviorally and medically assess and spay/neuter animals in our care so they can be placed for adoption as effectively as possible.

Though our budget allows us to care for 300 animals at a time, we’re still caring for 459: 335 at our shelter and 124 in foster care.

Right now, of the 459 animals in our care, 31 dogs and 107 cats are available for adoption - many others await spay/neuter surgery or are being given special medical or behavioral attention before they’re made available. Check our Available Dogs and Cats pages daily to see who’s up for adoption every day. We provide more special care for animals than ever before, so if you don’t find the perfect match today, odds are you will soon.

You can help the animals:

• Want a puppy? Open your heart to a more mature dog and you’ll likely have fewer messes to clean up yet receive just as much love!
• Make a charitable gift: sponsor an animal’s care, donate online or call the Humane Society of Indianapolis at 317.872.5650 x125.
• Donate items from our animals’ Wish List.
• Use the Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic at our shelter.
]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.146 2010-07-12T13:38:25Z 2010-07-20T15:06:26Z Tristan tschmid@indyhumane.org Congratulations to Joey, the 5-year-old Pit Bull who will be the face of Mutt Strut 2011, the day the Speedway goes to the dogs!

Joey won the second-annual Mutt Strut Poster Pooch Contest by raising the most votes and donations from his fans. He’ll represent the greatest spectacle in dog walking, Mutt Strut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and will be featured on posters, t-shirts, and the first-ever Mutt Strut Pin-Up Pooches calendar along with the other top 12 dogs.

This year’s Mutt Strut Poster Pooch Contest, which concluded on Friday, featured 111 canine contestants. Voting and entry fees totaled more than $16,000, and all funds raised are considered donations to help the animals at the Humane Society of Indianapolis, an Indy-based and independent non-profit animal shelter. Thank you to everyone who voted for their favorite dogs, and thanks to all the dogs and their families who entered the contest!

See all the Mutt Strut Poster Pooch Contest winners and read their stories. And don’t forget to bark your calendar for Mutt Strut 2011 on Sunday, May 1 after you check out Joey’s story, submitted by his pet parents Nichole and Aaron:

Handicapped Pit Bull Loves Life!

My name is Joey. I was born with a condition called swimmers, where I couldn’t stand… so I’d “swim” on the floor to get around. I was surrendered to a Humane Society in California when I was 7 weeks old.

The nice people there took me to a specialty vet and helped me learn to walk. When I was 8 months old, my family saw me and adopted me on the spot.

I’ve received my Canine Good Citizen award and I’m a Pit Bull ambassadog for Indy Pit Crew. I live with a canine sister, Ellie Mae, two cats and a rabbit.

My family moved to Indianapolis 2 years ago and because of their experience in California, they decided to get involved with Humane Society of Indianapolis. My mom frequently plans fundraisers and my dad participates in the awesome Dogs N Suds adoption events!

For more Mutt Strut and IndyHumane updates, including information about the upcoming Mutt Strut Pin-Up Pooches calendar, subscribe to “Furr-e-mail,” IndyHumane’s monthly eNewsletter, or use your favorite news service to subscribe to the IndyHumane news feed.

]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.145 2010-07-07T16:28:10Z 2010-07-15T02:10:12Z Tristan tschmid@indyhumane.org We’ve reached the limit of the number of animals we can care for with our current financial and staffing resources. Will you be an angel and help us care for more than 500 kittens, puppies and mature cats and dogs?

It’s easy for you to help!

• Lend your financial support: sponsor an animal’s care, donate online or call the Humane Society of Indianapolis at 317.872.5650 x125.
• Donate items from our animals’ Wish List.
• Use the Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic at our shelter.
• Have $5? Vote for the cutest dog in the Mutt Strut Poster Pooch Contest!

And don’t forget: until Friday, July 9th, you can adopt any dog or cat 4 years and up for just $17.76.

The Humane Society of Indianapolis has a balanced budget for 2010 that allows us to care for 300 animals at any given time. Due to the dramatic increase in the number of homeless and unwanted animals in the Indianapolis area in recent months, though, we’re currently caring for 550 cats and dogs.

Our Indy-based and independent shelter does not euthanize for space or time. IndyHumane currently has 150 cats and dogs available for adoption, with a total of 400 living at the 7929 N. Michigan Road facility and 150 more in foster homes. Though IndyHumane invests, on average, $600 in medical, behavioral and shelter services per animal, regular adoption fees remain low: as low as $35 for some cats, and $150 at the highest, for puppies.

An army of 250 animal lovers sponsoring an animal for $600 each will help us alleviate financial strains, though any gift will help the animals and our mission. Will you be an angel for our animals today?

]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.144 2010-06-30T12:36:56Z 2010-06-30T13:53:57Z Whitney wping@indyhumane.org

From July 1 - July 31, 2010, dine at the Melting Pot and help animals in need!

Order the “Big Night Out” entrée any time in July, and the Melting Pot Restaurants of Indianapolis will donate $1 to the Humane Society of Indianapolis. No flyer required!
 

]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.143 2010-06-29T16:50:25Z 2010-06-29T20:26:27Z Abbie ahowell@indyhumane.org Looking for a canine companion who likes to take life slowly and who knows how to enjoy the great outdoors? I may be the guy for you. I am a two-year-old Shepherd Mix who weighs about 50 pounds. I’m looking for a calm, quiet home where I can learn to be as confident indoors as I am outside. Please visit me today!
See all of our available dogs!

I’m Baby, a sweet two-year-old, eight-pound female cat looking for a lap to curl up on. I’m friendly with cats and dogs, do well with children, and I love attention and especially having my head scratched. Please visit me today!

See all of our available cats!
]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.142 2010-06-28T14:36:47Z 2010-07-12T15:12:48Z Tristan tschmid@indyhumane.org Celebrate your freedom by granting a patriotic All-American pet their independence from the shelter!

Adopt any dog or cat age 4 years & up from Fri. July 2 - Fri. July 9 for only $17.76!*

All of IndyHumane animals come with the following:

• Health check
• Spay or Neuter
• First round of Distemper/Parvo vaccine for dogs (DA2P-PV) or first round of Distemper vaccine for cats (FVRCP)
• Bordetella vaccine for dogs
• Feline Leukemia testing for all cats and Canine Heartworm screening for dogs six months or older
• First deworming
• Flea treatment
• Microchip identification & registration
• Pet Behavior Resources
• Pet training discount for dogs
• Certificate for INITIAL vet visit
• 30 days of ShelterCare Pet Insurance

See the nearly 150 available cats and dogs for adoption!

If you already have pets to share the 4th of July with, or are planning to adopt soon check out some tips to keep your pets safe on the 4th of July.

*Special $17.76 adoption fee cannot be combined with any other adoption discount.
IndyHumane is closed on the 4th of July and all other major holidays.

]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.140 2010-06-27T18:59:34Z 2010-07-12T15:12:35Z Abbie ahowell@indyhumane.org Taking a few simple precautions can ensure that you and your pet have a safe and happy 4th of July holiday.

Do not take your pets to fireworks displays or leave them outside when fireworks are being let off. Besides the fact that fireworks can be deadly, they’re also noisy. Even pets who typically don’t act afraid of many things can be scared by the loud noises that accompany fireworks and could become anxious, or even escape from your home or yard seeking refuge from the noise. Keep them indoors and in a secure area if fireworks are being let off nearby.

Even unused fireworks pose a threat to pets: many contain harmful substances that could make them sick, so store fireworks in an area where curious cats and dogs can’t get to them.

Be careful if you’re taking your pet somewhere with you in your car. The temperature inside a parked car can quickly rocket to well above 100 degrees in the summer, even with the windows cracked. Cats and dogs can quickly perish in such extreme temperatures, so if your pet can’t go wherever you’re going, it’s probably safest to leave them at home.

Finally, don’t forget that IndyHumane offers pet microchipping and ID tags and collars (in the David Horth Adoption Lobby) which can help you reunite with your pet if they ever become lost. If you or anyone you know find or lose a pet, visit our Lost and Found Pet Help for tips on what to do.

]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.141 2010-06-23T12:17:39Z 2010-07-12T17:54:41Z Whitney wping@indyhumane.org

I’VE BEEN ADOPTED!
I’m a seven-year-old male cat who loves interacting with everyone I meet. I get along great with other cats, dogs and I enjoy the company of kids and adults. I’m very vocal and need a home where I can be entertained and receive lots of attention!  Also, because I’m more than four years old, you can receive 50% off my adoption fee for a limited time! Visit me today if you would like a feline friend to keep you company.

See all available cats!

 
I’m an adorable eleven-month-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix. I weigh about 45 lbs. I have a lot of love to give and lots of energy to run off. Playing games and learning new tricks are some of my favorite things! And, if you need a running buddy, look no further! Visit me today if you are interested in a new canine companion.

See all available dogs!

]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.137 2010-06-22T11:01:11Z 2010-06-22T13:04:12Z Whitney wping@indyhumane.org Join the celebration and help shelter dogs everywhere! Marley, the well-behaved Lab mix, is available for adoption (see all of IndyHumane’s available dogs) and would LOVE to go to work with you on June 25th!

“Take Your Dog to Work Day” began in 1999 as an effort to encourage people to see the loving bond between dogs and their owners. Supporters believe that co-workers who see this loving bond and are without dogs may be inspired to adopt a homeless animal from places like IndyHumane. By participating in the annual TYDTW Day, you’ll be helping shelter dogs in Indianapolis and all across the nation!

Before you take your dog to work:

• Ask your supervisor if your pup can join you for the day. If so, let others you work closely with know that your dog will be keeping you company.
• Make sure your dog knows how to politely greet people and other dogs in the workplace. Ask your dog to sit before having co-workers introduce themselves.
• If your dog isn’t the best with other dogs, make sure your dog can have a quiet place to relax.
• Bring your pooch’s favorite (non-squeaky) toy to keep them occupied if they get bored. Stuffed Kongs (offered in our pet-supply store) work great!

If you don’t think your dog is prepared for this year’s TYDTW Day, consider bringing them to IndyHumane’s Canine Training School for obedience classes, and our dog park so they can burn off some excess energy and socialize with other good pups!

And don’t forget - there’s still time to enter your pooch’s picture in the Mutt Strut Poster Pooch Contest. Ask your co-workers, friends and family to vote for your dog’s chance to be THE face of Mutt Strut 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

]]> tag:indyhumane.org,2010:index.php/2.138 2010-06-16T17:50:15Z 2010-07-01T13:24:16Z Whitney wping@indyhumane.org IndyHumane is flooded with hundreds of wonderful cats and dogs, and until the end of June you can adopt any animal one year of age or older for 50% off their regular adoption fee! You can help the 500+ animals in our care by adopting or encouraging a friend to adopt.

IndyHumane doesn’t put animals down for space or time, and in addition to helping families who can no longer keep their pets, we take in animals from other shelters who euthanize for these reasons. We’re now at capacity in our facility and foster homes - but you can help! Until the end of June, every animal who is at least 1 year old is available for half off the regular adoption fee!

All adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, the first round of vaccines and 30 days of ShelterCare Pet Insurance!

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful adoptable cats and dogs or come by for a visit! 

And if you can’t adopt another feline or canine friend, please help us spread the word by encouraging friends and family to adopt a special loved one during this special offer. You can also make a donation to help us care for animals with special medical needs and support our ongoing efforts to save thousands of lives every year.

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