WHY YOU SHOULD ADOPT FROM US
Humane Indiana Shelter is a not-for-profit 501 (c)3 organization. We are a progressive, managed admission shelter, meaning we do not have official animal control contracts and we admit new animals by appointment only.
By maintaining our managed admission status and strategically limiting intake, we are able to help the most animals . We manage this through our resources, physical structure, and staff capabilities. Since this procedure’s inception, we are able to receive more animals from local animal controls.
Humane Indiana never euthanizes for space, limited time constraints, or because of breed. We only house dogs and cats for adoption. We believe in and practice Capacity for Care and other progressive sheltering policies which support facilitating responsible husbandry.
“What is the perfect number of animals to have in your shelter at any one time? Too few animals may give the impression that animals are not being helped in the community and willing adopters may walk out of the shelter empty-handed because they could not find a pet. Too many animals lead to needlessly increased costs and length of stay (LOS), compromised conditions for care, and in the worst case scenario, adopters who are so overwhelmed by choices that they do not take any animal home at all.”
- Script taken from the Koret Shelter Medicine Program – Capacity for Care Session – Humane Society United States 2018 Expo
CAPACITY FOR CARE
When we are working within our capacity for care, all animals’ needs are met and we can ensure they are being given their Five Freedoms:
Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - By ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor.
Freedom from Discomfort - By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Freedom to Express Normal Behavior - By providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
Freedom from Fear and Distress - By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
DETERMINING OUR “MAGIC NUMBER”
When determining our “magic number” of animals we can safely and responsibly care for at one time, the following are taken into consideration:
Housing units – that are appropriately sized per species and breed
Medical capacity/resources
Staff capacity
Adoption-driven capacity
LOS (length of stay) averages
How we meet our capacity for care number
Managed intake/admissions
One of our main goals is to keep animals from entering the shelter. We achieve this through various intake programs, policies, and procedures.
Population management
We are able to manage our animal population through daily enrichment, proper nutrition, medical treatment, and behavior treatment plans.
Open adoptions
The perfect home doesn't always exist; however, believe in finding good homes for our animals while also focusing on educating adopters and removing barriers to adoptions.
Pathway planning
We strive to make sure that all animals that cross our path have the best possible outcome. We achieve this by working with other rescues, shelters, and agencies, and return to field and foster programming.
We follow Capacity for Care recommendations provided by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, the Million Cat Challenge, ASPCA, HSUS, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Shelter Guidelines
Humane Indiana prepares our newly adopted pets and your family for success! The health of a new pet is most important when considering adopting. When you adopt from Humane Indiana, know that OUR PETS’ WELLNESS MATTERS.
Humane Indiana’s Shelter and Adoption Center is located at 421 45th Avenue, Munster, IN 46321.