Let’s Talk Truth: Spay/Neuter Has to Be the Priority Again
From the Desk of Janet Showley, Development & Outreach Manager
Hill’s 2025 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report offers vital insight into why pets remain in shelters—and what we, as Indiana’s shelters and rescues, can do differently.
Despite 63% of Americans saying they’d adopt from a shelter, many still turn to friends or breeders. First-time adopters are especially hesitant—only 56% would adopt again. Why? Financial concerns top the list. Veterinary costs, adoption fees, and pet deposits are major blockers, especially for younger generations.
It’s time we ask smarter questions:
- What costs or fears are keeping potential adopters away?
- What support do adopters need after they leave our care?
- Are we making it easy for renters, first-time owners, and working families to succeed?
We also need to rethink how we offer fostering. While awareness is up, participation is low—only 11% have ever fostered. Short-term options, expert guidance, and stipends could change that. How we adapt matters.
Let’s:
- Offer sliding-scale fees and post-adoption vet support.
- Build flexible foster programs with low barriers to entry.
- Modernize adoption processes with online applications and digital outreach.
- Support renters with pet resumes and housing resources.
- Reframe large dog adoption with new branding and success stories.
Younger adopters are willing—but they need flexibility, support, and reassurance. The future of adoption lies not just in promoting pets, but in removing the roadblocks standing in the way of good homes.
Let’s build a system where cost, guilt, and doubt no longer keep pets waiting. Let’s get them out of the shelter and into homes.
Last Call for Early Bird Pricing!
The 2025 United Spay Alliance Online Conference (October 11–12) offers valuable sessions designed to help shelters and rescues expand their impact, strengthen operations, and access practical tools. From funding strategies to hands-on clinic insights, this event brings together national leaders to share what’s working in animal welfare.
Shelter and rescue teams may be especially interested in:
- Scaling Spay/Neuter Access – Learn from high-volume clinics and statewide programs on how to expand affordable services in your community
- Funding & Sustainability – Creative approaches to fundraising, partnerships, and keeping grassroots programs thriving
- Using Data for Impact – How to track surgeries and outcomes to strengthen grants, advocacy, and public messaging
- Public/Private Collaboration – Case studies showing how shelters, nonprofits, and local governments can work together to reduce shelter intake
You can view the entire agenda here.
Early bird pricing ends September 11! Register today!
Trailblazing Training for Indiana Veterinarians
On July 26, 2025, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana, in partnership with the Humane Society of Elkhart County, proudly hosted a High Quality, High Volume (HQHV) spay/neuter wet lab—an innovative training designed to address Indiana’s veterinarian shortage and tackle shelter overpopulation at its root. This hands-on lab, a program created by United Spay Alliance, gave Indiana veterinarians the opportunity to learn efficient surgical techniques directly from seasoned experts.
Dr. Scales, one of the participating veterinarians, described the experience as transformative: “The mindset was the absolute best for the patient — as little surgery time as possible results in the fastest recovery and least chance of complications. You can listen and watch videos of techniques, but until you physically have to perform, it doesn’t stick.”
She credits the training from Elkhart veterinarians with boosting her surgical confidence, increasing her speed, and perfecting her technique—skills that she now puts into practice at a feline low-cost spay/neuter clinic at the Fulton County Animal Center in Rochester Indiana. By applying what she learned at the wet lab, Dr. Scales is not only serving her community but also ensuring more cats are fixed quickly and safely. “I have always wanted to give back to the communities I live in and around — and this is a way to do it!” she shared.
This story demonstrates the ripple effect of HQHVSN training: it doesn’t just improve surgical outcomes, it inspires and recruits veterinarians to join the high-volume spay/neuter field. Every participant leaves better equipped to serve, with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
Indiana faces both a severe veterinary shortage and an overwhelming influx of homeless pets. By bringing cutting-edge HQHVSN training directly to our state, Pet Friendly Services is preparing veterinarians to meet this challenge. We are excited to announce a second wet lab, scheduled for November 16th in Lafayette.
With your support, we are trailblazing solutions that save lives today—and build a sustainable future for Indiana’s pets.
Share this Myth-Busting Article!
Losing a cat is frantic, emotional, and overwhelming. In desperation, many owners turn to social media for help. Almost immediately, well-meaning people will suggest placing the cat’s litterbox or favorite blanket outside to “draw them home.”
But did you know this advice can actually do more harm than good?
Cats in the wild bury their waste for a reason: to hide their scent from predators and rival cats. When you place a litterbox or heavily scented blanket outdoors, you amplify that smell across the neighborhood.
- Territorial cats may be drawn in and chase your cat away.
- Predators could follow the scent, creating real danger.
Instead of feeling safe near home, your cat may be pushed farther away making recovery even harder.
The best way to guide your cat back is with a familiar human scent. Worn clothing, especially socks, carries a strong, recognizable odor at “cat level.” Place a few items outside where the wind can spread the scent. Unlike a litterbox, other cats and wildlife ignore this smell – but your cat will recognize it as home.
Pair the clothing with a food bowl, water bowl, and ideally a camera. Trail cameras are game-changers. Without them, you may never know your cat returned at 4 a.m. In cases I’ve worked, cats have come home solely because a camera confirmed they were stopping by. If a camera isn’t available, check frequently, even overnight.
Placement Tips
- Keep the scent concentrated around your property, not scattered through the neighborhood.
- Position socks or shirts in multiple spots so the breeze carries the scent in different directions.
- Refresh items daily so the smell stays strong and familiar.
The litterbox myth persists because people want to help but misinformation can put cats at risk. When you see it shared online, kindly educate others about safer, more effective methods.
For a complete, step-by-step guide to finding a lost cat, visit LostCatRecovery.com.
Looking for 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.
Thank you for all that you do!
Reminder: Be Social With Us! Join our Partner 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.
FREE Advertising: Showcase Your Adoption Events!
Shelters and rescues can now reach more adopters with our public adoption event calendar—a central hub for showcasing upcoming 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!
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
