Adoption Program
Our adoption program finds homes for an average of 100 animals per month, many times going well over that amount. We are the largest No-Kill Adoption Program in the county. Once animals enter the adoption program they stay with us until we find them a home or a spot in a rescue program. No time limit is placed upon their stay with us. Our Adoption Specialists do their best to find caring forever homes for our pets, by screening applicants and matching their needs. Our volunteers work to desensitize behavior problems so our animals are more adoptable.
Volunteer Program
We are currently building on our volunteer base and increasing participation by offering a 2 session initial training. Ongoing training and specialized training are then provided for volunteers based on their needs and interests. Many citizens, children and their families, local students from University of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s Bethel, IUSB, and Purdue colleges join our family of volunteers to make the lives of our animals healthy, happy and adoptable along with raising funds and awareness about shelter programs.
Community Education & Outreach
Our staff, volunteers and pets visit local K-12 grade schools in the area and present information about the prevention of abuse and the humane care of animals. One such program is called HELP (Humane Education Learning Program) which brings animal books to classrooms throughout our community. Another great program is Paws For Pages. This literacy program is open to children between the ages of 6-13 which takes place at the shelter. Children take turns reading to the adoptable pets and then participate in crafts and animal presentations. Programs are also available for area service club visits. The use of public service announcements, television and newspaper exposure, and free literature are other ways that we reach out to the community. During the summer, the Junior Humane Society Day Camp teaches our youth who are interested in the humane treatment of animals.
Pet Therapy
Volunteers and staff visit nursing homes and hospitals with animals, providing a chance for animal/human bonding. This is a very rewarding program for many people who are past owners of pets and crave the furry animals who love them unconditionally.
Pet Safe Program
Emergency shelter is provided free for up to two weeks when owners are forced into temporary shelter because of domestic abuse, fires or other emergency situations. Animals are also vaccinated and groomed during their temporary stay. This is a program that has helped many animals in dire need of housing and tender loving care.
Food Pantry
This program provides food for emergency cases when owners qualify. We have food for those animals whose owners fall onto hard times on a limited basis. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, any St. Joseph County resident can request dog and/or cat food for their pets during business hours. Please call ahead and be prepared to show proof of residency (ID).
The Elderly & Emergency Transportation Program
This program provides free transport for sick animals whose owners are elderly, blind or disabled and or unable to drive their pets in emergency situations. Shelter staff will take their pets to a veterinarian either during the day or the Animal Emergency Clinic at night. Owners are still responsible for veterinarian costs and personal transportation if needed.
Spay/Neuter Program
Our veterinarian and volunteer veterinarians utilize our surgical center at the Humane Society to spay/neuter and perform various other life saving procedures on our adoptable pets. We have spayed/neutered over 9,000 shelter pets so far! At this time, we are only able to offer spay/neuter services to shelter pets. We do not offer any veterinary services to the public.
Animal Control
Our trained officers provide 24 hour-a-day emergency services 365 days per year, serving 9,757calls/animals in 2014. This service is provided to all county residents, the city of Mishawaka, Osceola, Lakeville, North Liberty, Walkerton, University of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s, and Roseland municipalities. Our Humane Officers handle cruelty, neglect, abuse, wildlife, animal care complaints, and bite cases. The Humane Society provides the community with a free Rabies vaccination clinic once a year that is sponsored by the Michiana Kennel Club, MWI & Boehringer Ingelheim and local Veterinarians.
Licenses and Permits
You can purchase your dog and cat licenses from the shelter during business hours. You may also purchase a kennel, breeder, pet shop and other type of permits at the shelter. Licenses may also be purchased at participating Veterinarian offices.
Pet Lost and Found
Our facility provides a lost and found service that helps owners reunite with their animals. The microchip program and intense search methods help lost animals find their owners. If you have a lost pet, be sure to visit our Lost/Found page.
Other Community Resources & Organizations
Budget Friendly Veterinary Services
- Preventative Health of Michiana: Low-cost vaccinations, microchips, and preventative care. Phone: (574) 355-3444. Email: [email protected]. Website: preventativepethealth.com
- VIP Pet Care: Pop-up clinic that provides low-cost vaccinations, microchips, and preventative care. Visit their website for locations/times at VIPpetcare.com or call 1-800-427-973. They usually visit Tractor Supply Co in Mishawaka and Pet Supplies Plus in South Bend on Sundays.
- VETCO: Pop-up clinic that provides low-cost vaccinations, microchips, and preventative care. Visit their website for locations/times at vetcoclinics.com or call 1-877-838-7468. They usually visit Petco in Granger on Saturdays.
- ABC Clinic: Low-cost spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and microchips. Best to schedule online at petrefugeabcclinic.com/how-to-schedule-an-appointment . Phone: (574) 291-7729
- Pet Friendly Services of Indiana: Offers support to owners and shelters needing to get pets spayed/neutered. Through voucher programs at participating vets: https://petfriendlyservices.org/
- Public Vet: Offers low-cost spay/neuter services. Travels around Indiana. Website: https://pub.vet/
Outdoor Community Cats
- The Meow Mission: Trap/Neuter/Return services for unowned outside cats in St. Joseph County. Phone: (574) 300-3353. Email: [email protected]. Website: TheMeowMission.org
- The Elkhart County Feral Cat Coalition: Trap/Neuter/Return services for unowned outside cats in Elkhart County. Phone: (574) 214-7125. Email: [email protected]. Website: elkhartferalcats.wordpress.com/
Local Financial Resources & Aid for Pets
- Frantz L. Dantzler Friends for Life Fund: Provides assistance for veterinary clients who cannot afford to pay for basic pet care. In order to qualify, clients must be able to show proof at the participating veterinary clinics that they are eligible for government assistance for low income individuals or families. Visit their website for details frantzfund.com.
- Fido Fund of Michiana: Facebook.com/thefidofundofmichiana They help assist needy pet owners. You must visit their Facebook page and message them for assistance. Qualifications may apply.
Other Financial Resources
- Care Credit: Credit card for medical expenses. CareCredit.com
- Brown Dog Foundation: For those who have no money immediately available for the care of cats and dogs that are sick or injured and would respond to treatment. Website BrownDogFoundation.org
- The Shakespeare Animal Fund: Small grants of between $50 and $100 typically to people on a fixed income or with annual incomes below the Federal poverty guidelines. Website: ShakespeareAnimalFund.org
- Banfield Pet Hospital: Hope Funds treatment and application through Banfield Pet Hospital banfieldfoundation.org/banfield-foundation-grant-programs
Emergency & Urgent Veterinary Care
- Night Owls Wellness & Urgent Care: Provides service to those clients that have a pet in crisis with no regular veterinarian or whose regular practice is unable to see the pet in a timely manner. Located at 2324 Grape Rd., Mishawaka. Phone: (574) 259-8387 Website: nowpeturgentcare.com
- Emergency Veterinary Care Centers (EVCC) (Mishawaka): Phone (574) 544-6200
- Emergency Veterinary Care Centers (EVCC) (Westville): Phone (219) 785-7300
- Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (Fort Wayne): Phone (260) 426-1062
- VCA Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Care Centre (Kalamazoo): Phone (269) 381-5228