Since 2007, the Humane Society for Boone County (HSBC) has continued to grow by leaps and bounds, and more animals than ever are finding their forever homes.
With nearly 200 volunteers, members of the community are fostering animals, helping at fundraising events, pitching in at adoption events and even manning the front desk when needed.
“When we’re completely full we have around 15 dogs and 15 cats, but we try to make that temporary,” said Dr. Amy Rader, president of the board. “Our goal is to get them into a foster home and then adoption.”
Those at the shelter for longer periods of time are typically harder to adopt.
Rader said larger dogs need space and dogs with high energy might not fit with everyone’s schedule or desire. Adult cats have proven to be more difficult to place too.
If someone is led to foster, however, HSBC will take care of food, medical bills and anything else the dog or cat might need. With close to 50 dog fosters and 50 cat fosters, it’s a big undertaking.
Even when adopting, HSBC walks with potential owners to make the transition as seamless as possible.
“All of our adopted pets come fully vaccinated, they are spayed or neutered, and they’re as healthy as possible from a preventative care standpoint,” Rader said. “We don’t finalize adoptions on the same day. We do what we call an overnight, which might be a week or so, allowing owner and pet to work out any adjustments, concerns, etcetera.”
Unfortunately, many of the animals who end up at HSBC are owner surrenders. For whatever reason, the family cannot or doesn’t want to care for them anymore.
“It’s often a story like a cat who has kittens and they need help getting the kittens placed,” Rader said. “We also work with these families to get the adult spayed or neutered so we don’t repeat the issue.”
Not only does HSBC support those who want to spay or neuter their pet with low-cost options, but they also host a pet pantry several times per month. It’s all in an effort to keep pets in their original home.
“We partner with St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lebanon,” Rader said. “They have a food pantry twice per month and they allow us to set up there, and anyone getting food for their families can also get pet food. We also have a pet pantry in Advance once per month. In between times, if someone contacts us, we’ll do what we can to help keep that pet in the home.”
Over the years they’ve grown in several ways. In 2016 HSBC purchased a brick-and-mortar location at 5366 South Indianapolis Road in Whitestown, and they’ve undergone several renovations, improving and expanding on dedicated areas for the dogs and cats.
Rader said it’s all thanks to the supportive community and volunteers who have put their blood, sweat and tears into the important project.
Up next for HSBC is the Whisker Fest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 7. “We do pictures with Santa and the family, including your pets,” Rader said. “We’ll have local artisans with stocking stuffers and gifts for the holiday season. We’ll have adoptable pets there as well, and it all benefits the Humane Society.”
One might think that working with the animals day in and day out would make it sad to see them go, but Rader said every time a dog or cat is adopted, it’s a celebration for volunteers.
“We do learn their personalities, take them for walks and play with them,” Rader said. “We really invest in every animal, but when they get adopted, it’s like a party. We’re thrilled because they can finally go home.”
