IndyHumane FAQs

Which of Your Animals Can Be Adopted?

Any animal listed on our site is available for adoption! Click indyhumane.org/adopt for up-to-date information on pets currently available. If you are interested in an animal that is available, please come to the shelter Tuesday-Friday 12pm – 7pm or Saturday/Sunday 12pm – 6pm to meet and apply for the animal. (IndyHumane does not maintain a waiting list or place holds on animals)

What if I Want a Specific Breed?

We don’t DNA test our shelter pets, so we have no precise way to know what breed they might be. Our medical and behavior teams can make their best guess based on their appearance, but breed doesn’t tell us much about a particular pet. However, in our opinion, the best breed is a shelter pet – no matter what they look like!

If you are interested in searching for breed-specific pets, please check out petfinder.com

I Found a Stray Animal – What Can I Do?

First, thank you for taking care of this animal! Second, please visit our lost and found page to find steps to take: indyhumane.org/adopt/stray-pets/

IndyHumane is a limited admissions facility and to ensure we do not go over capacity, we request all stray animals be taken to Indianapolis Animal Care Services. Having all strays go to a central location helps people find their lost animals easier. IndyHumane routinely transfers animals from IACS to our care as our capacity and space permit. This helps relieve the burden on the city shelter while ensuring that our facility is not over capacity.

What Do I Do If I Lost a Pet?

Learn what steps you can take here.

Can I Surrender My Pet to IndyHumane?

You will need to schedule an appointment to surrender your pet to IndyHumane. Learn more about that process and fill out a surrender form here.

Please note we are a limited admission facility with a small staff. If we are at capacity, we will not be able to take your animal the same day. There may be a wait of several weeks. We also require a $40 surrender fee to help cover the cost of care for each incoming animal.

Check out the ways our Pet Resource Center provides pet people the support and resources they need to keep their pet, here.

Can I Donate to IndyHumane?

Yes, you can! There are many ways to financially support our life-saving work. Click here to learn.

Can I Volunteer at IndyHumane?

Glad you’re interested! You can learn more about our volunteer program and apply here.

Can I Foster a Pet?

We love having people foster our animals! You can learn more about our foster program and apply here.

Can I Donate Items to IndyHumane?

Thank you for thinking of us! You can view our most-needed items, as well as those we are unable to accept, at indyhumane.org/about/ways-to-give/donate-supplies/

You can drop off qualifiying donations any time at our Michigan Road Adoption Center in the big blue barrels outside our Adoption entrance: 7929 N Michigan Rd, 46268

What if I Adopted From IndyHumane and Need to Return the Pet?

We’re so sorry to hear you’re having troubles with your pet. Please reach out to our enrichment teams at cathelp@indyhumane.org or doghelp@indyhumane.org. You can also email our Pet Resource Center if you need resource help at prc@indyhumane.org.

Can You Help My Pet that Needs Medical Care?

Sorry to hear about your pet. IndyHumane does not provide such care for owned or stray animals. Please contact your veterinarian.

Is IndyHumane a “No Kill” Shelter?

We prefer not to use the term “No Kill” because we find it divisive and misleading. For an organization to use the term “No Kill,” they only have to self-report a euthanasia rate of less than 10%. So, most of these shelters, just like all reputable agencies, find it necessary to euthanize a small percentage of their animals that have insurmountable behavioral or medical issues. And although IndyHumane has maintained a euthanasia rate of less than 10% for years, we prefer to refer to our organization as “safe and humane.” IndyHumane does not euthanize for space or length of stay. For more understanding, click here to download our statement on the term “No Kill.”

What if I Need to Report Potential Legal Issues Such as Animal Abuse or Neglect?

Thank you for your concern. IndyHumane is not a governmental organization and cannot assist with legal issues. Please report this information to the City Shelter – Indianapolis Animal Care Services.

Have questions not answered above?

We’d be happy to answer. Ask us here.