Q.  What kind of pets does the shelter have?
Currently, we house cats, dogs, birds, bunnies, reptiles, mice, rats, hamsters, ferrets and guinea pigs.

Q.  How do I go about adopting a pet?
It’s simple!  All you need to do is fill out our adoption application.  Once this application is completed, you can place a hold on the animal you like.  Our holds are good for 24 hours and we take up to 3 holds.

Q.  Is there a waiting period?
Yes.  It takes approximately 24 hours to approve your application.  Once you are approved, you can schedule a time and day to adopt the animal.

Q.  $100 seems to be a lot of money to adopt a pet.  Why is it so much?
It’s not!  See the chart below: (prices are estimates of local vets)

Do the math!  It’s cheaper to adopt, and you’re helping a wonderful cause!

Q.  Do you have a spay and neuter program?
We have a program called the S.T.O.P program (Stop The Overpopulation Of Pets).  This program is only available to low income families.  If you are approved, we pay for the Spay/Neuter of the pet.  You pay for your visit!

Q.  My pet has gone missing. What advice can you offer me?
As soon as your pet has gone missing give us a call!!!!  It’s the first place to look for your animal.  Because we are the only Humane Society in Elkhart County, we are the place people bring animals that they find.  We also provide Animal Control to the county so if we pick up an animal running loose, you can bet to find them here at the shelter.

Q.  What happens if I turn over a pet to you?
Once you turn a pet over to us, you are giving us the right to do whatever that needs to be done to that animal.  Not all of our animals that come to us are considered adoptable.  We will hold the animal for 3 days if it’s a stray and 10 days if it’s owned to make sure it’s not sick or has any problems.  If it’s considered adoptable, the animal will have a Behavior Test done to make sure it isn’t aggressive or doesn’t get along with children.  If the pet passes, it will be moved into adoption.  If it is sick and we can treat it, we will move them to isolation to be put on medicine.  If it is aggressive, we immediately put the animal to sleep.

Q.  How long does the Humane Society keep pets?
All our adoptable animals stay in adoption until the are adopted.  The only reason we would move an animal out of adoption is if it gets adopted or becomes sick and needs to be put on medicine.

Q.  How is the Humane Society funded?
We are Not-For-Profit which means we rely solely on adoptions, donations and our county contract money to operate.  We are contracted by the county to provide Animal Control service to all of Elkhart County.  We DO NOT receive tax money.

Q.  Can you call me when you receive the type of pet I am looking for?
Unfortunately no we cannot.  The reason why is because we take in over 8,000 animals a year.  Too many animals come through our door and is hard to keep a list of everyone interested in a type of animal.  The best thing to do is to check our website everyday or even stop by and do a walk through.  Currently, most of our dogs have a 72 hour turn over rate.  So you may find a new friend every day!

Q.  I already have a dog at home. Can I bring him to meet the dog that I want to adopt?
Yes! Actually, we require it!  All of our dogs that are going home to other dogs must do a meet and greet.  The last thing we would want is for you to take your new friend home and then they don’t get along.  That kind of lifestyle is not healthy for a dog and we would hate for you to have to bring them back.

Q.  What should I do if I suspect someone is being cruel to, or neglecting, a pet?
You should call us right away.  Animal cruelty is on the rise here in Elkhart County.  If you suspect someone is mistreating their animal, give us a call so we can investigate.