President/CEO of the Humane Society for Hamilton County and Director of Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control will explore the difficult realities that arise when shelters turn animals away.
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is proud to welcome Rebecca Stevens, President/CEO of the Humane Society for Hamilton County, and Amy-Jo Sites, Director of Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, as featured speakers at the 2025 Indiana Animal Welfare Conference, taking place on Saturday, March 29, at the Primo Event Center in Indianapolis.
With 15 years of experience in the corporate sector working with business startups, strategic planning, and all areas of marketing, as well as 20 years of leadership in the non-profit sector, Stevens brings critical insights into the challenges faced by municipal shelters and their communities. She will be joined by Amy-Jo Sites, a leader in shelter operations and animal welfare advocacy with extensive experience in public affairs and policy development. Their session, “Open vs. Limited-Admission Strategies at Municipal Shelters,” will explore the impact of limited-admission policies and the difficult realities that arise when shelters are forced to turn animals away.
“Municipal shelters are not just about animal care—they also play a crucial role in public safety,” said Sites. “Understanding the effects of restricted intake policies is vital in ensuring the best outcomes for both animals and communities.”
Stevens and Sites’ session will address key questions such as:
- What happens to animals that are denied entry to shelters?
- How do shelter policies impact public safety and community well-being?
- What solutions exist to ensure humane and responsible sheltering practices?
The 2025 Indiana Animal Welfare Conference offers 18 concurrent sessions, providing education and networking opportunities for shelter staff, rescues, volunteers, animal control officers, and veterinary professionals.
The full agenda can be viewed here.
Registration is now open at IndianaAnimalConference.org. Early bird rates of just $45 are available through March 21.
The Indiana Animal Welfare Conference is made possible through the support of sponsors and partners who share Pet Friendly Services’ commitment to advancing animal welfare across the state. For sponsorship opportunities or additional information, visit www.IndianaAnimalConference.org or contact Rhi@PetFriendlyServices.org
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Pet Friendly Services is Indiana’s only statewide animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the euthanasia of dogs and cats. Through our innovative spay/neuter programs that fix 14,000+ cats and dogs per year, we tackle pet overpopulation at the source — saving lives and reducing suffering.
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