"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France

Adopt Today!

Ready to Adopt?

Questions? Please call our office at 574-475-HSEC (4732)​ or email us at [email protected] for more information.

  • You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
  • Have knowledge and consent of all adults living in the household.
  • Be able and willing to spend the time and money necessary to provide training, medical treatment and proper care for the pet.
  • We do require that ALL animals adopted from the Humane Society be spayed/neutered, receive proper veterinary care (including vaccinations), be properly licensed and adhere to all laws and ordinances.
  • If at any time your adopted pet is not being kept in accordance with our adoption policies, we reserve the right to reclaim the animal.
  • We reserve the right to approve or refuse an adoption to anyone.
  • If you are unable to care for your new pet, we ask that you contact us if rehoming it yourself so we can update the microchip information for the animal. You are able to return your pet to HSEC for the first 21 days after adopting your pet. If you decide after 21 days to return your pet to HSEC, we will ask that you go on our owner surrender waitlist until we have space for your pet. Fees may apply if you decide to surrender your pet.
  • Our Adoption Process: Animals will be adopted first come, first adopt. No holds will be placed on adoption animals.

How much does it cost?

  • Dogs: $25
  • Cats: $10
  • Critters: $5
  • Dog Leash: $15
  • Dog Collar – Standard: $9
  • Dog Collar – Martingale: $10
  • Dog Harness: $20
  • Cardboard Cat Carrier: $7

 

Understand your adoption fee includes:

  • Your new pets initial vaccines and deworming, feline leukemia testing (cats only), heartworm testing (dogs over 6 months), microchip, grooming, deworming, and the 1st month heartworm preventative (dogs). All cats and dogs will be spayed or neutered.

 

We offer several types of discounts:
  • Seniors 60 years old or older receive 50% off their adoption fee.
  • Active Military and Veterans receive 25% off their adoption fee.
  • Anyone who adopts is offered a 2 for 1 discount. Adopt 1, get another for free.
  • Regal Residents Program – Adoption fees waived on our mature pets.

 

I’m ready! How do I get started?

Meet our HSEC residents online waiting for homes!

Come visit us! Upon arrival at HSEC, we will gather some basic information from you to help up connect you with a great pet match.
Plan on adopting and taking your new pet home the same day.

Shelter Location:
54687 County Road 19
Bristol, IN 46507

Interested in meeting a specific animal individually? Please visit during these hours.
Hours to meet adoption animals individually:
Monday: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am- 4:30 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Interested in walking through our adoption center kennels and cat rooms to see everyone? Please visit during these hours.
Hours to visit animals in the adoption center:

Monday: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Thursday: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday: Closed

Our Adoption Process: Animals will be adopted first come, first adopt. No holds will be placed on adoption animals. At times we are very busy and ask for patience as we assist everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I go about adopting a pet?

Meet our HSEC residents online waiting for homes!

Come visit us! Upon arrival at HSEC, we will gather some basic information from you to help up connect you with a great pet match.
Plan on adopting and taking your new pet home the same day.

Shelter Location:
54687 County Road 19
Bristol, IN 46507

Interested in meeting a specific animal individually? Please visit during these hours.
Hours to meet adoption animals individually:
Monday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 9 am- 4:30 pm
Thursday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 9 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Interested in walking through our adoption center kennels and cat rooms to see everyone? Please visit during these hours.
Hours to visit animals in the adoption center:

Monday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 12 pm – 4:30 pm
Thursday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Friday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 11 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Our Adoption Process: Animals will be adopted first come, first adopt. No holds will be placed on adoption animals. At times we are very busy and ask for patience as we assist everyone.

Is there a waiting period to adopt?

No!

Meet our HSEC residents online waiting for homes!

Come visit us! Upon arrival at HSEC, we will gather some basic information from you to help up connect you with a great pet match.
Plan on adopting and taking your new pet home the same day.

Shelter Location:
54687 County Road 19
Bristol, IN 46507

Interested in meeting a specific animal individually? Please visit during these hours.
Hours to meet adoption animals individually:
Monday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 9 am- 4:30 pm
Thursday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Friday 9 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 9 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Interested in walking through our adoption center kennels and cat rooms to see everyone? Please visit during these hours.
Hours to visit animals in the adoption center:

Monday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 12 pm – 4:30 pm
Thursday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Friday 11 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 11 am – 3:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Our Adoption Process: Animals will be adopted first come, first adopt. No holds will be placed on adoption animals. At times we are very busy and ask for patience as we assist everyone.

Do you require fenced in yards in order to adopt?

No.  However, we want to ensure that the adoptive family will provide proper exercise, ensure the animal has a safe area in which to run and play, and spend quality time with their animal.

Can we keep our adopted dog or cat outside?

Currently, most of our animals are to be adopted as inside pets.  When providing outside time for an animal, we ask that the owner be with the animal or provide a safe location where the animal can be left to exercise with minimal supervision.  Animals should not be left for prolonged periods of time outside without food, water or shelter nor should they be tethered for extended periods of time.

Outside adoptions may be considered based on the breed of the dog or cat and special needs of the dog or cat.  A home inspection may be required to determine the suitability of an outside adoption.

Can you call me when you receive the type of pet I am looking for?

Unfortunately, no, we are unable to do this due to the volumes of calls we get on a daily basis. However, the Humane Society’s website is a “live” website which means as soon as an animal is moved up for adoption, it will be listed on the site.  And, if the animal is adopted, it will be removed from the site as soon as it is adopted.  This gives you a quick and up-to-date listing of all of the great animals available.  Check our website at www.elkharthumanesociety/adopt

Do you have a spay and neuter program?

Due to the availability of low cost spay/neuter clinics and a state wide initiative, we no longer offer a spay/neuter program. There are two area low cost spay/neuter clinics – one in South Bend, Indiana (ABC Clinic) and one in Fort Wayne (Hope for Animals). Additionally, there is a State wide program (SNAP) in which any local veterinarian can sign up to participate to help expand low cost spay neuter options.  It is sponsored by fees generated through sales of a pet friendly license plate that is offered through the Department of Motor Vehicles.  All of these options may be researched online.

Do you spay and neuter all of the shelter adoptable animals?

Yes.  The shelter has a veterinarian on staff and a clinic with surgical capacity is located in the facility

Because the shelter admits almost 6,500 animals a year, the clinic is not available for outside public use.