IndyHumane, the Humane Society of Indianapolis, was founded in 1905 and is one of the city's leading private adoption organizations. It runs an adoption center on the north side and a public low-cost spay and neuter clinic downtown, and it reports caring for around 10,000 animals a year. Here is how adoption, surrender, and the clinic work.
IndyHumane is a private nonprofit founded in 1905, and it is limited-admission, meaning intake depends on its space and capacity for care. It reports caring for around 10,000 animals a year.
It is not the city pound. The government-run municipal agency for Indianapolis is Indianapolis Animal Care Services, a separate organization. The two coordinate, but they have separate governance, and stray intake is the city agency's responsibility.
IndyHumane does not publish a fixed adoption fee schedule; fees appear on each animal's listing and vary, and the shelter runs occasional fee-waived events and a discount for adopters 65 and older. Each adoption comes with a certificate for a complimentary wellness exam through a partner veterinary chain, covering up to $250 of care for certain common post-adoption conditions.
Adoption is walk-in at the North Michigan Road center, where you complete a short survey to meet with the adoption team, and most pets can go home the same day. The center is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m., and weekends noon to 6 p.m., and is closed Mondays. A 24-hour hold costs $30.
IndyHumane runs a public clinic downtown that is open to anyone, not just adopters. Spay or neuter is $195 for a dog, which includes the surgery, a nail trim, take-home pain medication, and a recovery collar, and $130 for a cat; a $70 deposit goes toward the surgery. The clinic also offers vaccines, microchips at $20, and parasite prevention.
Owner surrender is limited-admission and starts with a Pet Resource Center request form, with staff offering alternatives such as rehoming help, the FIDO pet food pantry, and behavior resources before an animal is surrendered.
Because intake depends on space, contacting the Pet Resource Center first is the fastest way to understand current options.
Volunteers can join the shelter program at 16, and an 8-and-up option lets a child volunteer alongside an adult partner. Fostering is supported with food, toys, bowls, blankets, and medical treatment, and commitments range from a single overnight to staying until a pet is adopted.
The wish list leans toward high-value training treats, kitten formula and bottles, cleaning supplies, and crates, with Amazon, Chewy, and other lists available. IndyHumane holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 97 percent score, and its EIN is 35-0876385. It is also known for its Mutt Strut fundraiser at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Walk-in adoption of dogs, cats, and small animals on the north side.
A public clinic: $195 for dogs and $130 for cats, open to everyone.
Vaccines, microchips, and parasite prevention at affordable prices.
Rehoming help, food pantry, and behavior resources to prevent surrender.
Flexible foster homes supported with supplies and medical care.
Trap, neuter, and return for community cats.
Sources: IndyHumane (indyhumane.org) adoption, clinic, and surrender pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 35-0876385); Wikipedia, which reports the roughly 10,000 animals a year figure. Standard adoption fees are not published. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with IndyHumane and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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