Join our New Facebook Group!
Join us! We’ve created a Facebook Group to help connect employees or key representatives of animal shelters, rescues, TNR Groups, veterinary professionals, and other members of the animal welfare community that are current partners with Pet Friendly Services of Indiana. Individual profiles and profiles of organizations are welcomed as members to the group and can contribute to meaningful conversations and receive important updates about animal welfare
Register Now for the 2025 Indiana Animal Welfare Conference!
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Primo Banquet & Conference Center, 2615 National Ave Indianapolis, IN 46227
The Indiana Animal Welfare Conference is more than just a day of learning and networking—it’s your opportunity to enhance your organization’s ability to save lives.
We understand that smaller rescues and shelters can feel overwhelmed by large national conferences. These events often require significant travel and time commitments, and the solutions offered may not reflect the realities faced by understaffed or volunteer-led organizations. This conference is different. It’s designed to provide practical, replicable solutions that address the unique challenges faced by organizations like yours.
We encourage ALL animal welfare professionals, volunteers, veterinary professionals, animal control officers, and anyone interested in learning more about helping animals to attend.
Scholarships are available! Pet Friendly Services is committed to ensuring that shelters and rescue organizations, regardless of their financial resources, can access the valuable learning and networking opportunities the Indiana Animal Welfare Conference provides. To support those who may face challenges covering registration costs, we are pleased to offer a limited number of registrations at 75% off the standard fee. To be considered for this discount, please complete this application.
Early bird offer! Take advantage of our early bird pricing and register now for just $35! Price increases to $45 on March 1!
Grant List for Indiana Shelters and Rescues
Pet Friendly Services maintains a list of grant opportunities for animal welfare organizations. Here are a few important highlights this month:
- Bissell Pet Foundation Empty the Shelters Events: These events occur once per quarter. Participating shelters can offer adoption discounts, with the Bissell Pet Foundation covering the difference in costs. Click here to learn how to be a partnering shelter.
- PetSmart Charities Adoption Rewards Program: PetSmart partner shelters and rescues can earn additional funding based on the number of adoptions completed at in-store events. Learn more about being a PetSmart Charities Adoption Partner.
- United Spay Alliance Community Cat Grant: Applications are due March 31. To help with the application process, they are also offering a webinar: “Application 101: Boosting Spay/Neuter Efforts with Community Cat Grants.” The webinar can be found here.
Each grant has different requirements, deadlines, and application processes, so please review the linked websites to determine which opportunities best fit your organization’s needs.
We know times are challenging, and requests for spay/neuter assistance are higher than ever. We hope this guide helps connect you with more funding opportunities to continue your lifesaving work.
Thank you for all that you do!
Stretch Your Dollars with Shelters United
Shelters United is a cooperative buying program that helps nonprofit animal welfare organizations save money on pet supplies and products. It’s free to join, with no minimum purchase requirements! Learn more here
Shelters United also recognized that many shelters and rescues struggle to purchase discounted prescription supplies due to the lack of a Veterinarian on Record (VoR)—a designated vet who oversees medical care. Having a VoR not only enables access to prescription products but also improves animal health, enhances preventive care, and streamlines operations.
To help shelters and veterinarians establish this relationship, Shelters United created a VoR Toolkit, covering everything from finding a veterinarian to drafting an MOU and maintaining the partnership. Explore the VoR Toolkit here.
By leveraging Shelters United’s buying program and establishing a VoR, your organization can save money on essential supplies and provide high-quality care—helping more animals with every dollar.
FREE Advertising: New and Improved Adoption Calendar!
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana has launched a free adoption event calendar to help shelters and rescues get more eyes on adoptable pets!
This public calendar lets you list your upcoming adoption events and specials in one central place, making it easier for pet lovers across Indiana to find and attend.
Whether you’re hosting a special adoption day, running a reduced-fee event, or featuring a particular type of pet (senior, black cats, etc.), this calendar boosts your visibility and helps pets find loving homes faster. It’s completely free, so don’t miss out—add your events today and help more pets find their forever families!
Get your events listed by e-mailing details to rhi@petfriendlyservices.org !You can view the calendar here.
Help Spread the Word!
You can help by spreading the word about driving with the Pet Friendly Plate!
Without this lifesaving plate, our support of your programs wouldn’t be possible. The Pet Friendly Plate is a game changer for Indiana! It’s a shared resource for all of our shelters and rescues. The more plates we sell, the more lives we save!
Share this graphic! Right click and select “Save Image As” on your desktop, or tap the image and select “Save to Photos” on your phone – and then share it on social media to help more people learn about the Pet Friendly Plate!
Here’s a suggested caption:
“Save lives while you drive! Every Pet Friendly Plate helps fund spay/neuter programs that save lives across Indiana. Our organization receives support from Pet Friendly Services and this specialty plate. You’re TRULY making a difference when you drive with the Pet Friendly Plate! Learn about how to get yours at www.PetFriendlyPlate.org”
Our Contact Information
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
1100 W 42nd Street, Suite 205
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-767-7771
http://PetFriendlyServices.org
