September is "Happy Cat Month"
September is Happy Cat Month – and if you’re owned by a cat, you know “happy” has a very unique definition. A cat is happiest when sleeping in the laundry basket instead of the bed you bought, demanding breakfast at 4:00 AM, or knocking water glasses off the counter just to keep you humble. In short, cats don’t just live in our homes—they run them. This month, we celebrate our feline overlords in all their box-loving, zoomie-having glory, while also remembering the best way to truly keep them happy: spay/neuter to ensure every cat has a safe, loving home.
Do you know how you can keep even MORE cats happy? Fix by Five! Fixing cats before five months of age is key to reducing “oops” litters – kittens can get pregnant earlier than you think! Share this post if you care about helping cats!
Read below to see how our initiatives are helping cats (and dogs!) live longer, happier lives – every month of the year!
Fixed Pet Feature: Princess
When her family’s beloved dog of 13 years passed away, their hearts felt empty. Then along came Princess—a gentle soul who brought light and love back into their lives.
“Princess is our everything,” her family shares. “She brought so much love into our family after we lost our dog.”
Thanks to Pet Friendly Services’ SNAP (Spay/Neuter Assistance Program), Princess was able to get the care she needed to live a healthy, happy life with the people who love her most. Today, she fills their home with joy, companionship, and a reminder that love has a way of finding us again—just when we need it most.
Your support makes it possible for families across Indiana to welcome pets like Princess into their homes and their hearts. Every SNAP certificate ensures that beloved companions can thrive, while helping to prevent unwanted litters and keep more pets safe.
Because of you, Princess isn’t just a dog—she’s family.
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.
The Litterbox Myth: Why This Common Advice Can Harm Lost Cats
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.
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!
Upcoming Events
Love Them for Life at Tom Wood Subaru
Mark your calendars—Pet Friendly Services is throwing a BIG adoption bash you won’t want to miss! Join us for the Love Them For Life Adoption Event on Saturday, October 4 at Tom Wood Subaru, where dozens of adorable, adoptable cats and dogs will be waiting to meet you!
Whether you’re looking for a hiking buddy, a couch snuggler, or a playful kitten, this event has pets of all shapes, sizes, and personalities—ready to find their forever homes. Bring the whole family—even your four-legged ones—and help us give every pet the loving home they deserve!
What: Love Them For Life Adoption Event
Where: Tom Wood Subaru, 3300 E 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240
When: Saturday, October 4, 11AM – 2PM
A $25 adoption fee discount will apply, and a FREE lunch will be served!
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 September 18 from 6–8:00 PM!
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!
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:
- October 10 – Honeywell Center, Wabash, IN
- October 18 – Paramount Theatre, Anderson, IN
Help Spread the Word!
Your Pet Friendly Plate is more than just a license plate — it’s a lifesaver.
But here’s the kicker: about 30% of people don’t know what their plate does!
Here are 3 facts worth bragging about:
- 100% of proceeds fund spay/neuter — tackling overpopulation at the root
- Pet Friendly Services is a small nonprofit (no government funding, all heart )
- Every dollar stays in Indiana to help local cats and dogs
Let’s change the stats. Share these facts with a friend today and help spread the word!
Our Contact Information
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
1100 W 42nd Street, Suite 205
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-767-7771
http://PetFriendlyServices.org
