IndyHumane increases adoptions, expands animal care
- Humane Society of Indianapolis
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
As animal shelters across the country face rising intake and capacity challenges, IndyHumane reported a 36% increase in adoptions in 2025, while expanding care for more animals in need across central Indiana. New year-over-year data show measurable progress in lifesaving outcomes, reunifications and access to care, even as stray intake rose significantly.
From 2024 to 2025:
• Adoptions increased from 2,293 to 3,128
• Returns to owner increased from 105 to 174
• Transfers in rose from 1,393 to 1,480
• Animals returned to shelter decreased from 391 to 324
• Stray intake increased from 694 to 892 Despite a 28% rise in stray intake.
IndyHumane increased placements and reduced the number of animals returning to the shelter. This progress reflects operational changes implemented over the past several years to strengthen medical capacity, expand foster networks and align behavioral resources with positive outcomes.
Under CEO Donna Casamento’s leadership, the organization focused on building a sustainable model designed to help more animals safely and responsibly.
“This progress is the direct result of years of hard work from our teams,” said Casamento. “We have been focused on strengthening our operations, investing in medical and enrichment support and building community partnerships that allow us to say yes to more
animals. Some of the changes required to build that foundation were difficult, but they were necessary to ensure we could provide responsible care and create sustainable outcomes. In 2025, we clearly saw that effort reflected in the data. We adopted more pets, welcomed more animals who needed help and reunited more families with their beloved companions. Every increase represents a family made whole or an animal who didn’t have options before.”
In addition to sheltering and adoption services, IndyHumane’s community clinics continue to reduce barriers to pet ownership by providing affordable spay/neuter services, vaccinations and microchipping. Through partnerships across central Indiana, the organization has also hosted free vaccine and microchip clinics aimed at keeping pets healthy and in their homes.
“Our responsibility extends beyond our shelter walls,” Casamento said. “Improving animal welfare in central Indiana means strengthening the entire system, supporting families and ensuring that animals have safe outcomes wherever possible. We are encouraged by the progress in 2025 and focused on building on that momentum in the year ahead.”
IndyHumane encourages community members to get involved by adopting, fostering, volunteering or supporting its medical and community programs.
For more information, visit www.indyhumane.org
