Help the Humane Society this Holiday Season

December 2018

Writer // Janelle Morrison        Photography // Theresa Skutt

The Humane Society for Boone County (HSforBC) is preparing for the official opening of its approximately 7,000 sq. ft. shelter and it needs your help this holiday season. HSforBC’s mission is the rescue and adoption of homeless and endangered domestic animals. The new Humane Society for Boone County Animal Shelter is located at 5366 South Indianapolis Road between State Road 267 and Whitestown Parkway. While the remodeling and construction is nearing completion, Susan Austin, director of animal welfare, shared that the volunteer staff can use several extra hands stocking shelves and organizing the shelter as it prepares to open after holidays.

HSforBC provides food, healthcare, vaccinations and spay and neuter services for all animals in its care and is 100 percent volunteer operated and receives no tax dollars. In addition to its need of volunteers to help open the shelter, there is a need for donations in the way of requested items and monetary donations that will go towards the care of the animals and day-to-day operations of the shelter.

“We are always in the need for volunteers,” Austin said. “The amount of donations and volunteer hours that made this renovation happen is phenomenal.”

Austin thanked the numerous individuals including contractors such as Denis Oberg and Matt Lohmeyer, along with several others who have donated/discounted materials and labor throughout the project. Without the generosity of all of the individuals who have been a part of the remodeling project, the shelter would not be gearing up to open after the first of the year.

HSforBC does not euthanize for space so Austin reminded us that the need for foster homes is always there and always appreciated.

As we toured the facility, we saw that much of what was in the space prior to HSforBC’s purchase of the facility has been recycled and is being utilized for the specific needs of the shelter such as the facility’s original cabinetry, shelving and other accessories.

The shelter provides ample space for storage, meet-and-greet rooms, washing/grooming stations, a quarantine/isolation room, laundry station, kennels and catteries, outdoor play areas and dog-runs, and an on-site wellness clinic. 

“We have named this the “(Lyle) Devon Miller Memorial Wellness Clinic,” Austin shared. “Dr. Miller was a wonderful mentor and was our founding veterinarian. He continued to support us until he passed this year. While we are able to care for basis the basic needs of the animals and do blood draws and most vaccinations, we do not perform any surgeries and we only take care of the animals in our care. We do work with some awesome veterinarians here in Boone County who are very generous with their time and talents.”

 HSforBC is asking for a specific list of items to help stock up over the winter season and are reaching out to the community for these items as people are thinking about donating and volunteering throughout the holiday season. The HSforBC annual calendar is another way to support the organization and its animals. The proceeds of the calendars go towards the care of the animals HSforBC supports. Folks are encouraged to contact HSforBC for information on how to purchase these calendars as well as how to donate to and/or volunteer to help prepare the shelter for its grand opening. Please call [877] 473-6722 or email [email protected]. For additional information about HSforBC, visit boonecountyhumane.org.