Expanding Spay/Neuter Through Training: Building Surgical Capacity Across Indiana
We invite you to join the movement to expand surgical capacity in Indiana by attending a spay/neuter wet lab! Upcoming trainings include a feline lab on June 27 in Evansville and a canine lab on October 11 in Lafayette.
Space is intentionally limited. You can find more information here: https://petfriendlyservices.org/for-vets/spay-neuter-training/
These training sessions have proven results. Here’s a recap of the most recent event!
On March 22, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana—alongside United Spay Alliance—hosted our first canine spay/neuter surgical training lab at Elkhart Humane Society. Six veterinarians worked side-by-side with expert HQHVSN instructors in a hands-on setting designed to strengthen efficiency, confidence, and surgical volume.
The results were immediate. By midday, participants had nearly completed all scheduled procedures—demonstrating how quickly refined techniques can translate into increased capacity. Additional cases, including pediatric patients, allowed for even more skill-building. In total, 34 animals from local shelters and rescues received surgery that day—animals who might otherwise have waited weeks or longer.
Across Indiana, demand for spay/neuter continues to outpace availability. Even when funding is in place, limited surgical capacity creates delays that lead to unplanned litters and added strain on shelters, rescues, and veterinary teams.
But capacity is something we can change—together. By advancing high-quality, high-volume techniques, veterinarians can safely increase the number of surgeries performed without extending hours or compromising care. One day of training can translate into hundreds—or thousands—of additional animals served over the course of a career.
Participants saw measurable gains in confidence and speed, with one sharing, “I feel confident doing spays now—even at high speed.”
Sign up on the interest list today to be notified when registration opens.
Vets & Vet Techs: Earn 5 CE Credits for under $100!
April 17–18 | Primo Banquet Hall | Indianapolis
Registration closes Tuesday, April 14!
The 2026 Indiana Animal Welfare Conference is expanding its Veterinary Track to deliver even deeper clinical, operational, and public health insight for Indiana veterinarians, technicians, and assistants.
If your work intersects with shelters, community cats, rescue medicine, workforce sustainability, or evolving sterilization standards, this track was built for you!
Both vets and techs earn 5 CE credits while engaging with nationally respected speakers and practical, real-world topics that directly impact Indiana communities. The cost is just $90, including continental breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack.
Session Highlight: Kitten Nutrition: Feeding for Healthy Growth (1 CE Credit) - Dr Emily Coleman, DVM
This presentation outlines nutritional guidelines for kittens from birth through weaning, with an emphasis on supporting healthy growth and preventing common nutritional complications. Age appropriate feeding, frequent monitoring, developmental readiness and kitten-driven weaning are highlighted as critical factors for improving survival and long-term welfare outcomes, particularly in shelter and rescue settings. While general recommendations are provided, the presenter emphasizes that each kitten must be evaluated individually, and feeding plans adjusted based on development and health status.
About Dr Emily Coleman:
After over ten years in private practice and shelter medicine, Dr. Emily Coleman decided to think outside of the box and to start her own mobile feline spay/neuter/TNR and preventative care practice dedicated to supporting nonprofit rescue organizations. The Celtic Cat, LLC opened in November 2021 and has since assisted over twenty organizations with their veterinary care of cats and kittens. Dr. Coleman currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Kitten Coalition.
Tales From the Surgical Table: Nasopharyngeal Polyps… Oh My!
Spay/neuter can be anything but routine! Our partners at Public Vet have seen some strange things during their clinics, illustrating that there’s never a dull day in the world of spay/neuter!
The two cats pictured below were both struggling to breathe due to nasopharyngeal polyps, abnormal growths that form behind the soft palate and block the airway. These polyps cause chronic inflammation, lead to painful secondary bacterial infections, and can become fatal if left untreated. Thankfully, both cases were identified during pre-surgical exams at Public Vet. Each cat had their polyp successfully removed and is now breathing freely and living a happy, healthy life.
.- Dr. Aria Armendariz Peavy, DVM
Spread the Word about Fix by Five!
Spring is here and that means one thing – kitten season!
Did you know that most people don’t know the best time to spay/neuter their cat – or that kittens can have more kittens! The Feline Fix by Five campaign, a program of the United Spay Alliance, is working to educate cat owners so we can prevent unwanted litters.
Why “By Five” Matters:
- Medical
- Cats spayed before their first heat have a dramatically reduced risk of mammary cancer (often cited as 91% lower).
- Early spay eliminates the risk of pyometra later
- Behavior + keeping cats in homes
- Spay/neuter reduces territorial marking, strong urine odor, aggression, and heat-related vocalizing—behaviors that often lead to surrender
- Animal Shelters & Community Cat Programs
- Fix by Five is designed to prevent first litters, reduce shelter intake, and help communities get ahead of the cycle of kitten season
What we’re asking Indiana veterinary teams to do:
- Educate Your Clients (and Make it Simple)
Sample Script: “Because kittens can reach sexual maturity earlier than you expect, we recommend scheduling spay/neuter before five months. It helps prevent accidental litters and has important health benefits. Let’s schedule a surgery date today so you don’t have to worry about timing later.” - Spread the Word Online and In Your Practice
Use our Media Kit to access Fix by Five assets for digital sharing and display in your practice.
2026 Shelter Medicine Conference
The 2026 Shelter Medicine Conference includes topics on TNR, spay/neuter ergonomics, clinical management of spay/neuter complications, timing of spay/neuter, the next generation of sterilization, and more! In-person and live-stream registration options are available. Learn more here.
Thank YOU for being on our team!
Thank you for being a valued partner in our mission to end pet overpopulation. Your commitment to providing accessible spay/neuter services makes a lasting impact in communities across the state. We’re grateful for your expertise, your compassion, and your dedication—and we’re proud to have you as part of the Pet Friendly Services network.
Our Contact Information
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
1100 W 42nd Street, Suite 205
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-767-7771
http://PetFriendlyServices.org
