July 2025 Newsletter: A History of Hair Ball
It started, like most good things do, with a cat.
The Indy Hair Ball was born in 2005 as a heartfelt tribute to a beloved feline named Hairy. Long before she led Pet Friendly Services of Indiana, Cheri Storms was simply a cat lady with a dream. She wasn’t yet involved in animal welfare — just a passionate pet parent who believed everyone deserved the kind of love she had shared with Hairy.
The very first Indy Hair Ball was a backyard fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Spay/Neuter Services of Indiana. Even in its earliest form, the event had one goal: to create a better world for cats, dogs, and the people who love them.
And grow it did! Over its 14-year run, Indy Hair Ball took on many forms — from backyard gatherings to daytime fundraisers, to full-blown Halloween-themed parties complete with costumes, and silent auctions. As the event evolved, so did Cheri’s role — from volunteer to Executive Director, helping to guide the organization in its mission to fix thousands of animals each year.
The Hair Ball ran annually until 2019, pausing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now — we’re bringing it back, reimagined for a new generation of animal lovers!
We can’t wait to welcome you to the all-new Indy Hair Ball 2025 — a free, family- and dog-friendly outdoor concert celebrating pets, people, and the power of spay/neuter.
It's BACK: Indy Hair Ball Returns in 2025!
Mark your calendar for an unforgettable night of music, fun, and lifesaving impact at the 2025 Indy Hair Ball!
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Indianapolis Propylaeum, 1410 N Delaware St
Gates open at 5PM | Concert begins at 6PM
FREE to Attend!
What to Expect:
- Live Music – Enjoy a high-energy performance by Roxie & The Strays, presented by Lorelei Productions
- Beautiful Venue – Relax on the lawn of the historic Indianapolis Propylaeum
- Adoptable Pets – Meet animals from local rescues looking for their forever homes
- Food Trucks – Grab dinner from a variety of local vendors
- Beer, Wine and Soft Drinks – Refreshments available for purchase throughout the evening
- Dog-Friendly Atmosphere – Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome
We need you to RSVP! The event is FREE, but your response will help us plan our food and beverage (available for purchase) accordingly!
Fixed Pet Feature: Riley
Your support saves lives! Pet Friendly Services’ Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) helps keep pets happy, healthy, and in loving homes. Here is just one of the thousands of owners receiving assistance through our program.
“My old English bulldog Rylie is my saving grace. I don’t know what I would do without her. Without your certificate program I wouldn’t have been able to get her spayed, and I wanted to give her the best life possible. Now she has her vaccinated, microchipped, and fixed!”
Your support helps us fix pets like Rylie.
Big News for Indiana's Cats!
The Indiana Veterinary Technicians Association (IVTA) and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) have officially endorsed the Feline Fix by Five initiative to encourage cat owners to spay or neuter their pets by five months of age.
The campaign is rooted in a simple but urgent fact: kittens can become pregnant by five months of age. Yet, many cat owners wait too long—resulting in accidental litters that fill Indiana’s shelters and strain already limited rescue resources.
The IVMA and IVTA’s support sends a strong message: spaying and neutering cats before five months of age is key to preventing accidental litters and saving lives.
Upcoming Events
Tails & Ales at Broad Ripple Brewpub – Now Part of Third Thursdays!
Mark your calendars! Tails & Ales is now officially part of Third Thursdays in Broad Ripple, a monthly community celebration featuring local vendors, music, and more.
Mark your calendars for 6–8:30 PM:
- Thursday, July 17
- Thursday, August 21
- Thursday, September 18
Please note: For the safety of the dogs and cats, the event will be canceled if temperatures reach 90°F.
Find More Adoption Events Near You with Our Adoption Calendar!
Featured Event: Paws Stop 36th Anniversary Event with Lucci’s House – July 26!
Adoptions can happen anywhere – you just need to know where to look! Many small rescues don’t have facilities of their own. Instead, they use events at places like pet food stores, farmer’s markets, and community events to spread the word and share their adoptable animals! You can find more adoption events near you using our Adoption Calendar.
Attention rescues & shelters: Submit your events! It’s completely free and helps spread the word about the AMAZING pets you have looking for homes!
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana welcomes Puppy Pals!
Rescue Dogs Take Center Stage
As seen on America’s Got Talent, Puppy Pals Live is a family fun action-packed show where adopted and rescued dogs perform spectacular stunts and breathtaking feats. Watch as Puppy Pals Live leads the puppies and audience through challenging and comical tricks as the pooches show everyone who is really boss! Full of canine stunts and laugh-out-loud canine comedy, it is no surprise this show has been a hit all over the USA.
Puppy Pals Live Indiana Shows:
- July 12 – The Hobart Art Theater, Hobart, IN
- July 16 – Blue Gate Theatre, Shipshewana, IN
- October 10 – Honeywell Center, Wabash, IN
- October 18 – Paramount Theatre, Anderson, IN
Hit the Road & Save Animals
Indiana’s #4 Specialty Plate Is Saving Lives—Is It on Your Car Yet?
Summer is road trip season—why not drive with purpose? Indiana’s Pet Friendly Plate is more than just a cool accessory for pet owners — it’s the #4 best-selling specialty plate in the state because it saves lives.
Every plate funds spay/neuter surgeries that prevent unwanted litters, reduce shelter overcrowding, and help pets across Indiana. It’s an easy way to show your love for animals and make a real impact.
You can switch to the Pet Friendly plate at any time! No matter what your renewal month is, the BMV will prorate your fee. That means you don’t have to wait for your registration to expire—just make the switch and start saving lives today!
Our Contact Information
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
1100 W 42nd Street, Suite 205
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-767-7771
http://PetFriendlyServices.org
