Community Programs & Resources

Adoption & Rescue Placement Program

Our adoption & rescue placement program finds placement for an average of 2,100 annually. Our dedicated team does their best to find caring forever homes or other no-kill rescue placement for our pets.  We are always looking for great adopters, fosters, and volunteers to help provide humane and compassionate care to our animals on their journey to their forever home.

Volunteer Program

We are currently building on our volunteer base and increasing participation by offering an online orientation & hands on 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 Paws For Pages. This literacy program is open to children passionate about animals. 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 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 also receive a basic medical exam, vaccinated, and provided flea prevention 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 free pet food for pet owner in need of assistance. Unfortunately, we do not have a large supply of pet food to give out on a routine basis, so this program should only be utilized for emergencies. To participate, please call ahead and be prepared to provide a photo ID and brief survey about the pets in  your home.

Spay/Neuter Program

Ending pet homelessness begins at spaying & neutering. 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 14,000 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. 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 or low-cost microchip & vaccination clinics throughout the year.

Licenses and Permits

St. Joseph County residents (excluding those living within South Bend City limits) can purchase their dog and cat pet licenses from the shelter during business hours or via our online form HERE. 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 and Mishawaka City Hall.

Lost and Found Pets

Our facility provides a lost and found service that helps owners reunite with their animals. If you have a lost pet, be sure to visit our Lost & Found Pets page. There is truly no place like home, so be sure to microchip your pet! See our Lost & Found page for more tips filing a lost report, filing a found report, and other tips on finding your missing pet.

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 for cats. Travels around Indiana. Website: https://pub.vet/

Outdoor Community Cats

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

  • Financial & Veterinary resource guide for pet owners: https://www.banfieldfoundation.org/Banfield-Foundation-Resources-for-pet-owners
  • 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