FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Do you have a question that is not answered by our FAQ? Click the button below to be taken to our Contact Us page where you can submit a form, call us, or visit us at our physical location in Boone County.
How do I request help from HSforBC?
Requests for assistance from HSforBC must be submitted by phone at 1-877-HSforBC (877-473-6722) or by email at [email protected]. All messages are responded to in 24 to 48 hours.
Where is the shelter located?
5366 S. Indianapolis Road, Whitestown, Indiana 46075. The shelter is just north of Exit 131 off of I-65N on Indianapolis Road. If you put 5370 S Indianapolis Road in your GPS, it will deliver you to the front of our building. Google maps will send you to the volunteer entrance in the back.
Is your building open? What are your visiting hours?
We are open for general business and donation drop off M-F 12p to 5p. All cat and dog meet and greet or adoptions require appointments. Most of our animals are living in foster homes, so we need to make arrangements to bring them to the shelter to meet you.
If you are not open to public, how can I see your adoptable animals?
Our available dogs and cats are posted on our website at www.hsforbc.org and on our Facebook page Friends of Humane Society for Boone County. Our adoptables are also posted on www.petfinder.com
How much does it cost to adopt a pet and what is included in the adoption fee?
- Dogs are $175.00, which includes spay or neuter, age appropriate shots, microchip, deworming and heartworm testing.
- Puppies are $200.00, which includes spay or neuter, age appropriate shots, microchip and deworming.
- Cats are $60.00, which includes spay or neuter, age appropriate shots, microchip, deworming and FeLV/FIV testing.
- Kittens are $75.00, which includes spay or neuter, age appropriate shots, microchip, deworming and FeLV/FIV testing.
Do you adopt out unaltered cats and dogs?
We are required by state law to spay or neuter every animal in our care prior to adoption. We may at times allow a young or ill foster-to-adopt animal to go to a permanent home, but they are considered 'in foster' until the animal is spayed or neutered at an appropriate age.
What is the process to adopt one of your animals?
If you see an animal you are interested in, we ask you to complete our Meet and Greet form at the event or on our website. Once received, it will be sent to the volunteer who is fostering the animal to make contact and set up a time to meet you and your family. Your family will meet our adoptable pet first. If you have other animals, they will also need to meet our animal before the animal goes to you home.
Can I take the dog on an overnight trial visit?
- Yes, if there are no other meet and greets scheduled for the next two (2) days. Check with the canine director.
- If the potential adopter has other dogs, a meet and greet with the other dogs must occur before the animal goes home. Schedule the meet and greet at the shelter.
- You will need to have the potential adopter complete the adoption form and provide the full adoption payment. We will hold the payment pending the outcome of the trial visit.
- Cats do NOT go on overnight trial visits.
What can you tell me about the dogs or cats you have available for adoption now?
Please be specific about which dog or cat you have questions about and we will have the correct foster family volunteer get back in touch with you.
Why don’t you have all your animals at the shelter?
HSforBC relies heavily on using foster homes for our animals. Foster animals are given more love, time and attention in the home than they can possibly get at the shelter. Our foster families can also tell us much more about the animal’s temperament, disposition and what type of home will best fit the pet.
What is involved in fostering an animal?
Fostering involves taking a pet into your home to socialize with people and pets. It can include the need to house break, crate train, teach how to walk on a leash and learn basic commands. If the animal is on medication, HSforBC will provide it for the pet. HSforBC also provides heartworm preventative for our pets while living in foster homes. We provide food for the foster pets. As a foster, you will be required to bring the pet to events. If you cannot stay at the event, and with prior approval, you can deliver the pet to a volunteer working at the event and pickup your foster immediately after the event ends.
Do you need volunteers? How do you signup to volunteer?
Go to the website and fill out a volunteer form at www.hsforbc.org. Our volunteer manager will be in touch with you, and schedule your orientation and training.
If I volunteer, what kind of commitment would it be?
We ask volunteers to commit to two (2) hours per month as a minimum starting point. However, you can volunteer more hours as your schedule allows.
What ways can you volunteer?
- Transport animals to and from Low Cost Spay Neuter in Brownsburg or to local veterinary offices.
- Database entry of microchip information from microchipping events.
- Database entry of animal surrender forms.
- Print and distribute flyers in Boone County for events.
- Maintain a book of all adoptables (photo and information) for each event.
- Scan medical records, notes and adoption forms from prior years.
- Help at events by assisting with set up, walking dogs, answering questions, tear-down, etc.
- Maintain T-shirt and other item inventories.
- Clean inside of bus after events.
- Keep event boxes organized and stocked with current forms, including cat and dog adoption packets, foster, volunteer, surrender, and adoption forms.
- Maintain “Adopt Me” vests.
- Inventory donated food.
- Write and send thank you notes for donations.
- Cat Care.
- Dog Care.
- Fundraising and community outreach opportunities.
Can anyone volunteer to come walk your dogs?
Only dog volunteers that have completed orientation and training may come walk the dogs during the day. All doggy day trips must be cleared in advance by the canine director.
Can my kids volunteer?
Yes, when accompanied by a parent. You must be 18 to volunteer alone, but we have volunteer roles working with parents in both our dog and cat areas for children fourteen (14) and over.
My Girl Scout (Boy Scout, Honor Society, Lions, Book Clubs, etc.) group would like to volunteer at the shelter...
Yes, we can accommodate group volunteers! Please email us at [email protected] and we will have someone get back with you in 24 to 48 hours
HOW do I make donation?
- Checks can be mailed to HSforBC at P.O. Box 708, Lebanon, IN 46052.
- Donations can be made via our website at www.hsforbc.org using the donate button.
- We can also accept monetary donations at events.
- There are blue donation boxes around Boone County at various restaurants and pet stores.
Where can I drop off donations?
Food and toy donations are accepted at the shelter, M-F 12p - 5 p. If you wish to drop off donations outside those hours, please call in advance (877-473-6722) so a volunteer can meet you to accept your donations.
I have a bag of opened (or un-opened) food that my pet won’t eat. Can you take it?
Yes, we are grateful for your donation and will distribute that food to use at our pet food pantries for our friends in Boone County who need help feeding their pets.
What items do you accept for donations?
Our biggest needs are always kitten and puppy food, kitty litter, peanut butter for Kongs, non-destructible dog toys, martingale dog collars, leashes, puppy pads, gently used crates, hard-sided animal carriers, etc. Please see our wish list to see our donation needs.
What donations are not acceptable?
We can accept unopened heartworm and flea/tick preventatives, but are unable to accept syringes and other pet medicines. We are unable to accept blankets, quilts, comforters, chair pads, sofas, chairs, love seats or pillows with stuffing or batting as these are quickly ripped up, and if ingested by the animals the stuffing can cause a life-threatening blockage. We are unable to accept large furniture for the kennels because we have no way to appropriately sanitize it for animal use.
I see blue boxes with your logo in stores in Boone County. Do you receive those donations?
Yes, we do! In fact, that is a great fundraiser for our organization and we appreciate all those who donate their spare change for us!
Do you provide vaccination clinics or spay and neuters services in your building?
We do not. Vaccination clinics are available at Low Cost Spay Neuter locations, Pet Supplies Plus, Pet Valu and Tractor Supply Co. Please contact those places directly for information. LCSN in Brownsburg, Lafayette and Noblesville provide low cost spay and neuter services. There is a spay and neuter transport the third Monday of every month from Tractor Supply’s parking lot in Lebanon.
Are you a no-kill shelter?
Humane Society for Boone County does not euthanize animals for space or length of time spent at the shelter. We do our best to find homes for all adoptable animals.
Can we declaw our adopted cat?
Many shelters oppose declawing cats, but we realize it is a personal preference that you discuss with your vet. All declawed cats must be kept as indoor only cats as once declawed they have no ability to defend or protect themselves outside.
How long do you hold an animal before the dog or cat is available up for adoption?
Many shelters oppose declawing cats, but we realize it is a personal preference that you discuss with your vet. All declawed cats must be kept as indoor only cats as once declawed they have no ability to defend or protect themselves outside.
How long do you hold an animal before the dog or cat is available up for adoption?
- All strays are held a minimum of seven (7) days before becoming eligible for adoption.
- All animals received as stray or lost or found animals are posted on our Friends of Humane Society for Boone County Facebook page to help find their owners.
- All strays are also posted on the Indy Lost Pet Alert website.
What do I do if I want to surrender a pet?
If you must surrender your pet, please note the following:
- Call our 877-473-6722 number and leave a message. Someone will call you back within 24 to 48 hours. You must call first and provide pet information. All surrenders are by appointment only.
- You need to attempt to rehome your pet on our Facebook and other social media pages before contacting HSforBC.
- All dogs must pass a temperament test.
- We cannot take in feral cats or dogs with aggressive behavior or bite histories.
- Veterinary records must be provided at the time of surrender. Your pet MUST be up to date on the Rabies vaccine.
- You must pay a surrender fee to help with the cost of care for your pet.
Does Boone County have animal control ordinances?
Yes, these ordinances were adopted in June 2018. Please see the Boone County ACO link in the resources section of this website.
Does HSforBC have any animal welfare or law enforcement powers?
HSforBC volunteers and employees have no legal authority to act or respond as animal control. Reports of alleged animal abuse or neglect must be made to and handled by a law enforcement officer.
What do I do if I have lost my pet?
Check out our website www.hsforbc.org under the resources tab for a step-by-step what to do if you have lost a pet. You may also post a photo and description of your lost pet on the Friends of Humane Society for Boone County Facebook page. Also post the photo and description on the Indy Lost Pet Alert website.
What do I do if I have found a domestic animal?
Please call Boone County Dispatch at 765-482-1412, extension 8. An Animal Control Officer or other deputy/officer may be able to assist with scanning of the animal for a microchip. They may impound the animal if housing resources permit. You may also post a picture of the animal on the Friends of the Humane Society for Boone County Facebook page.
What role does the Animal Control Division have in animal welfare within the county?
The mission of the Animal Control Division (ACD) of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office is to protect the health and safety of the county residents, to protect animals and promote their humane treatment, and to work in partnership with animal facilities to ensure these objectives are met.
What Services are offered by the ACD?
- Assistance with stray/loose animals
- Animal cruelty investigations
- Animal welfare checks
- Vehicle unlocks for animals locked in vehicles
- Assisting with animals hit by vehicles, orphaned, or otherwise in distress
- Public education
The ACD uses the Boone County Animal Control Ordinance (2018-02) and the Indiana State Criminal Code (Title 35, Article 46) for enforcement purposes.
The ACD is currently staffed by one full-time employee, Deputy Smith. Deputy Smith works 40 hours a week but will periodically respond to animal complaints at the request of other Deputies or Officers if the situation calls for an immediate response. There are plans to hire one or two part-time employees to offer more consistent coverage throughout the week.
There are several ways in which you can contact the ACD:
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: Boone County Indiana Sheriff’s Animal Control Division
- Phone: 765-482-1412, Option 4 for Dispatch, Request to leave a message for the ACD
Do you receive tax dollars?
We do have an understanding with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division to be paid for the care of the animals picked up by their department in the course of their duties enforcing the animal control ordinance.
What are you going to do with the land donated to you for building a shelter?
The donated land has been sold and the funds received from the sale reinvested into HSforBC for future use.
Why don’t you have more kennel space in the building?
HSforBC utilizes a great network of foster homes, which are the best means of caring for almost all of our animals. Our current kennels allow us an ability to assess and vaccinate the animals in a contained environment before they go to live in a foster home. The shelter recently completed a major renovation of the interior and an expansion of the dog runs, providing for dog isolation to prevent disease transmission from new, unvaccinated dogs to the existing dog population.
Was the building donated to HSforBC?
No. The building was purchased outright from the Zionsville Country Vet Clinic owners in 2016. Using cash on hand and a generous grant from the Humane Foundation of Boone County held at the Community Foundation for Boone County, we were able to purchase the building and have no mortgage.
Are you affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States?
No. We receive no monies nor support of any kind from HSUS. We are funded locally by the generous donations of individuals, businesses and corporate sponsorships.
Why are you always fundraising?
The need to rescue abandoned and stray animals in Boone County outweighs our ability to provide care for all these animals. Animals that come in ill or with broken bones require far more in veterinary care than our adoption fee covers. Our adoption fees barely pay for the costs of food, medicines, sterilization and microchipping. Fundraising allows us to treat sick and injured that we might otherwise have to turn away while also providing heat and electricity to house the animals comfortably.
Peoples neglect and dumping of feral cats continue to be a challenge in areas of the county. Because these cats are unowned, no one wants to pay for the costs associated with sterilization. Fundraising allows us to provide TNR (trap-neuter-return) services in the county which limits population growth of the unwanted litters.
Peoples neglect and dumping of feral cats continue to be a challenge in areas of the county. Because these cats are unowned, no one wants to pay for the costs associated with sterilization. Fundraising allows us to provide TNR (trap-neuter-return) services in the county which limits population growth of the unwanted litters.
