Is Your Shelter Missing Out on TikTok?
From the desk of Janet Showley:
If your shelter isn’t using TikTok, you could be missing one of the most powerful—and free—tools for finding pets homes.
Worried you don’t have time for another social media platform? The good news is that one short TikTok video can do the work of many. Create it once, then cross-post it to Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts. You’re engaging with multiple audiences without adding hours to your day.
Another issue is that many shelter professionals and volunteers didn’t grow up with TikTok, and it can feel intimidating. But the platform isn’t about producing polished videos or keeping up with every trend. It’s about telling stories in a way that grabs attention in the first few seconds.
Here’s the secret: Don’t think like a shelter. Think like a viewer.
Ask yourself, Would I stop scrolling to watch this?
Instead of filming a dog sitting quietly in a kennel while reading off their age and weight, show their personality. Capture the zoomies after getting outside, the dramatic sigh of a sleepy senior, or the cat who insists on “helping” clean kennels. Introduce viewers to the goofy, affectionate, mischievous, or gentle side of each animal. And get your volunteers involved! They probably have some great ideas!
Some of the most successful shelter videos are simple:
- A dog’s hilarious reaction to a tennis ball.
- A kitten climbing into someone’s hoodie.
- A volunteer narrating what they imagine a pet is thinking.
- A “day in the life” of a shelter animal.
- Before-and-after transformations or adoption success stories.
Authenticity wins. People aren’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for connection.
Your goal isn’t just to show animals. It’s to make someone pause, smile, laugh, or say, “I need to meet that pet.”
Continued Learning: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/5-tips-leveraging-tiktok-animal-shelters-and-rescues
August Shelter/Rescue Support Group
Purdue University’s “Priority 4 Paws Program” and Pet Friendly Services of Indiana have joined together to offer monthly Shelter/Rescue Support meetings. Any employee or volunteer of an Indiana animal shelter or rescue organization is invited to attend virtually or in-person
August Topic: Large Dog Foster and Day Out Programs
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2:00–3:30 PM (ET)
Attendance Options
In Person: (Humane Society for Greater Lafayette)
Virtual: Attend live via Zoom.
Please complete the form below to register. In-person attendance is limited to 25 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once in-person capacity has been reached, additional registrants are welcome to attend virtually.
New World Screwworm: What Indiana Shelters & Rescues Need to Know
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has issued new animal movement requirements to help prevent the spread of New World screwworm (NWS). While the risk to most Indiana shelters is low, organizations that transport animals into Indiana from affected areas should be aware of the new requirements. Dogs and cats entering Indiana from an NWS-infested zone must be inspected by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within five days of travel, receive an approved treatment, and be accompanied by the appropriate health documentation.
BOAH is also encouraging all animal organizations to Inspect, Report, and Protect by watching for unusual flies or maggots in wounds, enlarging or foul-smelling wounds, or animals showing signs of discomfort—especially after travel. Suspected cases should be reported immediately. You can read the full advisory on the BOAH website.
Making the Financial Case for Spay/Neuter
When advocating for spay/neuter funding numbers often drive decisions. A new guide from United Spay Alliance encourages shelters and rescues to shift the conversation from the cost of prevention to the cost of doing nothing. Every animal that enters a shelter represents taxpayer dollars spent on intake, housing, care, and often long-term placement. By comparing those costs to the much lower cost of a subsidized spay/neuter surgery, organizations can demonstrate that investing in prevention is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce shelter intake and improve community outcomes.
Read the full guide here: Making the Financial Case for Spay/Neuter
Free Resource: Community Cat Calculator
How many spay/neuter surgeries does your community really need to reduce the outdoor cat population? The free Community Cat Calculator from Community Cats Central provides a quick needs assessment by estimating the number of owned-cat spay/neuter surgeries and community cat TNR surgeries needed in your area.
Simply enter your community’s population, customize the assumptions if desired, and receive downloadable results to help set realistic goals, support grant applications, and guide strategic planning. It’s a valuable tool for organizations looking to make the greatest impact with their spay/neuter efforts.
Scooter is on Substack!
What can’t he do? (Other than have kittens of course!)
Scooter the Neutered Cat has a new newsletter on Substack! With a free subscription to Scooter’s News, you’ll get weekly tips and insights on how we can work together to keep cats healthy — whether they’re free-roaming felines in your neighborhood or your own furry friend at home.
Oh, and did we mention you’ll also get your weekly fix of cute cat pics and videos?
Subscribe here.
Attention Leaders!
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is building a new statewide Mentorship Network Directory to help strengthen Indiana’s veterinary and animal welfare community through practical, experience-based guidance.
We are currently seeking experienced professionals in:
- HQHVSN (High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter)
- Shelter Medicine Veterinarians
- Shelter & Rescue Leadership / Directors
Mentors can define their own availability and areas of support, whether that’s surgical efficiency, shelter protocols, clinic workflow, outbreak management, leadership development, or program growth. The goal is simple: make real-world expertise more accessible so more organizations can improve efficiency, expand access to care, and ultimately help more pets.
Grant Opportunities
Pet Friendly Services maintains a list of grant opportunities for animal welfare organizations.
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.
Reminder: Help us Connect Pet Owners with Spay/Neuter Resources
Pet Friendly Services recently launched a new statewide Spay/Neuter Directory, designed to help pet owners find affordable spay/neuter options in their area. The directory includes low-cost clinics, voucher programs, transport services, and mobile clinics.
We know many rescues and shelters are already helping connect people with these services, and we’d love your help making this resource as comprehensive and useful as possible. If your organization offers spay/neuter assistance, transport, vouchers, clinics, or other related services, please consider submitting your information to be included.
Please share this directory far and wide to help more people get their pets fixed!
Education
Don’t Think You Can Start a Spay Neuter Program? Yes, You Can!
Thursday August 20, 2026 from 3-5pm EST via Zoom.
Description: Spay/neuter is more critical than ever in helping reduce pet overpopulation and save lives. Join us for an engaging discussion on the challenges and opportunities involved in developing and sustaining spay/neuter programs through partnerships and collaboration.This webinar will provide valuable insights and actionable ideas to help make your spay/neuter program a success.
Save the Date! Love Them for Life is Saturday, October 3rd!
Save the date for Love Them for Life Adoption Event at Tom Wood Subaru! We’ll once again be hosting up to 20 shelters and rescues for a day dedicated to finding loving homes for adoptable pets and connecting with the community.
Applications for participating organizations will be opening soon, and we’ll share full event details, application information, and deadlines in the coming weeks.
Where Will You Be Next?
Spring is here and events are picking up! Spread the word about your event and reach more adopters with our public event calendar – a central hub for showcasing adoption events and specials across Indiana.
Whether you’re hosting a fee-reduced event, a breed-specific adoption day, or a senior pet showcase, this calendar makes it easier for pet lovers to find and attend your events. It’s completely free, so don’t miss this opportunity to boost visibility and help more pets find loving homes. Add your events today!
Reminder: Be Social With Us! Join our Partner Facebook Group
Join us! We’ve created a Facebook Group to help connect employees and/or key representatives of animal shelters, rescues, TNVR Groups, veterinary professionals, and other members of the animal welfare community that are current partners with Pet Friendly Services of Indiana.
You’ll find meaningful conversations and receive important updates about animal welfare.
Another reason to join? Monthly contests where your group can win extra spay/neuter coupons just by sharing the Pet Friendly Plate!
Help Drive More Spay/Neuter in Your Community
The Pet Friendly Plate is the engine behind our work, and the work you do every day. Every plate purchased provides funding for affordable spay/neuter, with 100% of the proceeds staying in Indiana and every penny going right back into local communities. By sharing the Pet Friendly Plate with your supporters, you’re helping create more funding for communities like yours and making an even greater impact for Indiana’s dogs and cats. Get resources to help share the plate!
Our Contact Information
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
1100 W 42nd Street, Suite 205
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-767-7771
http://PetFriendlyServices.org
