Pet Friendly Mentorship Network Directory
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is building a statewide Mentorship Network Directory—a curated list of experienced professionals willing to share their knowledge with veterinarians, clinics, shelters, and rescues. As Indiana continues to face limited veterinary capacity and increasing demand for services, this initiative is designed to make real-world expertise more accessible—helping organizations improve efficiency, strengthen operations, and ultimately expand access to care.
The directory will feature mentors in three key areas of expertise: HQHVSN (High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter) Veterinarians, Shelter Medicine Veterinarians, and Shelter & Rescue Leadership / Directors. Each mentor will identify the specific types of guidance and support they are willing to provide. Individuals and organizations seeking assistance will be able to review the directory and connect directly with mentors based on their needs and interests. Pet Friendly Services of Indiana will serve as a resource hub by maintaining and sharing the directory, while not acting as a coordinator or intermediary in the mentoring relationships themselves. This flexible, self-directed model is intended to encourage meaningful connections and knowledge-sharing without creating an additional administrative burden for mentors or participants.
Who This Is For
Those Seeking Guidance
- Veterinarians interested in increasing efficiency or expanding into high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN)
- Clinics refining protocols, workflow, or surgical capacity
- Shelters and rescues navigating medical or operational challenges
- Organizations starting or expanding programs
Those Interested in Being a Mentor
- Experienced professionals willing to share practical, field-tested knowledge
- Individuals with strong systems, protocols, or leadership experience
- Those who want to strengthen Indiana’s animal welfare network
Mentorship Categories
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is currently building mentor capacity in:
- HQHVSN (High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter)
- Shelter Medicine Veterinarians
- Shelter & Rescue Leadership / Directors
Read mentor criteria and examples of support below:
HQHVSN (High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter) Veterinarians
Mentor Criteria
- Licensed veterinarian (Indiana or surrounding states preferred)
- Adherence to ASV guidelines and IVMA practice standards
- Demonstrated HQHVSN experience (2–3+ years in a high-volume setting)
- Comfortable performing 20–30 surgeries per day (or equivalent efficiency)
- Low complication rates
- Strong anesthesia and pain management protocols
- Demonstrated knowledge of efficiency systems and workflow optimization
Examples of Support
- Hands-on or shadowing HQHVSN surgical training
- Virtual consultation (case review, troubleshooting, Q&A)
- Clinic start-up guidance (equipment, staffing models, scheduling systems)
- Efficiency coaching (technique, workflow, time-saving methods)
- Anesthesia and analgesia protocols
- Managing complications
- Pre- and post-operative standards
Shelter Medicine Veterinarians
Mentor Criteria
- Licensed veterinarian (Indiana preferred)
- Experience in a shelter, high-intake, or resource-limited environment (2–3+ years preferred)
- Familiarity with Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines for Standards of Care
- Experience managing population health and herd-level decision-making
- Strong knowledge of infectious disease prevention and control
- Ability to balance best practices with real-world resource limitations
- Experience collaborating with shelter leadership and operations teams
Examples of Support
- Disease prevention and outbreak management (e.g., URI, panleukopenia, parvo)
- Intake protocols and population management strategies
- Vaccination and treatment protocols for high-volume environments
- Isolation, quarantine, and sanitation practices
- Medical decision-making in resource-limited settings
- Staff training and protocol development
- Consultation on shelter medical program design or improvement
Shelter & Rescue Leadership / Directors
Mentor Criteria
- 3–5+ years of leadership experience in a shelter, rescue, or animal welfare organization
- Experience managing operations, staffing, and/or organizational growth
- Strong understanding of animal welfare systems and community dynamics
- Experience navigating capacity challenges and intake pressures
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement sustainable programs
- Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
Examples of Support
- Intake and capacity management strategies
- Staff and volunteer structure, hiring, and retention
- Building sustainable programs (spay/neuter, foster, community cat programs)
- Budgeting, resource allocation, and prioritization
- Community partnerships and collaboration
- Navigating high-intake or crisis situations
- Strategic planning and organizational development
- Board relations and governance support
Why this Matters
At its core, the Mentorship Network Directory is built on a simple philosophy: meaningful progress happens when experienced professionals are empowered to share practical, real-world solutions with others facing similar challenges. Participation is entirely voluntary and flexible, with mentors defining their own availability, boundaries, and areas of support. Connections are intended to be self-initiated and self-directed, creating an approachable and sustainable model focused on experience-based guidance that leads to measurable impact.
As organizations across Indiana work to meet growing demand with limited resources, increasing access to shared knowledge and expertise can help improve efficiency, strengthen shelters and rescues, and expand access to spay/neuter services statewide. By supporting collaboration and problem-solving within the animal welfare and veterinary communities, this initiative aims to help reduce strain on the overall system while advancing the most effective long-term solution to overpopulation: increasing access to affordable spay/neuter so more pets can remain in loving homes and out of shelters.
Get Involved
Be Added to the Mentor Directory
If you have experience and are willing to share your knowledge, we invite you to participate. Sign up here.
Access the Mentor Directory (Coming Soon!)
Explore available mentors and connect directly with individuals who align with your needs.
Questions?
If you have questions about this program, please contact Janet Showley at Janet@PetFriendlyServices.org