Helping Indy Become a More Humane City for 115 Years

What is IndyHumane, exactly? IndyHumane’s mission is to improve animal welfare in central Indiana. IndyHumane are committed to ending the cycle of pet overpopulation, providing affordable pet ownership, and ensuring the well-being, health and safety of all animals in their care.

IndyHumane strive to promote the human animal bond and the powerful impact this mutually beneficial relationship has on individuals, families, and the Indianapolis community.

Established in 1905, IndyHumane is an Indy-based, independent nonprofit organization. Their vision is that all central Indiana animals are treated with dignity and respect and live free from cruelty, harm, and neglect. IndyHumane receive no tax dollars or other government funding, so they rely on the generosity of their community to help them impact the lives of more than 10,000 animals annually.

As a limited intake shelter, IndyHumane take in as many animals as they can save every day. They do not euthanize animals for length of stay, kennel space, or cost of care. IndyHumane model for care is centered around ensuring the Five Freedoms (freedom from hunger and thirst, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury, or disease, and freedom to express normal behavior) for all their shelter animals.

Because IndyHumane take in animals with extraordinary medical needs, or who need around-the-clock care, including newborn orphaned kittens, they are reliant on their network of 500+ foster families to help them care for their youngest, most vulnerable animals. As COVID-19 struck Indiana, many Hoosiers found themselves sheltering in place, working remotely, and spending more time at home. Many folks found joy in fostering a shelter animal, and more than 1,300 animals have spent time in foster homes in 2020.

IndyHumane is one of the only shelters in Indiana with an on-site veterinary medicine suite. IndyHumane medical capacity enables them not only to perform routine spay/neuter surgeries (2,535 in 2019), dental cleanings and extractions, and heartworm treatments, but also life-saving interventions such as orthopedic surgeries (including amputations), eye surgeries (including entropion, cherry eye repair and enucleations.

IndyHumane also work to keep animals out of shelters in the first place. Their Downtown Clinic performed 8,000 low-cost spay/neuter surgeries in 2019. They microchipped 1,987 animals and administered 30,927 vaccinations animals through the Albert G. & Sara I. Reuben Low-Cost Vaccine Clinics. IndyHumane unique Rescue Relief program redistributes thousands of pounds of pet food and supplies to 143 shelters, rescues, and outreach partners across Indiana and the Midwest.

Philanthropy is crucial to IndyHumane mission, now more than ever. Folks can make a lifesaving gift of any size at indyhumane.org/give. You can also help by purchasing needed supplies at indyhumane.org/wishlist. These donations both help care for animals at the shelter, and enable IndyHumane to provide all the necessary items to foster families who generously open their homes for their shelter pets. Your support helps IndyHumane provide shelter, medical care, and adoption for pets in need, as well as keep owned animals in their community happy and healthy in loving homes.

Helping Indy Become a More Humane City for 115 Years