June 2015
In This Issue
SNSI Annual Open House
4th of July Pet Safety
Start Your Own TNR Program
SNSI Annual Report
Groups Awarded Assistance
Community Cat Groups Awarded Assistance
Regional Adoption Events

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In Memorial

SNSI is always sad to learn of the loss of a furry family member. Memorial gifts were
made to SNSI in honor of these pets:
  • Tasha, the sweet dog who gave unconditional love to Shardell & Roderick Craig.
  • Jules, the "Quiet Giant" cat who enriched the lives of Amy Van Ostrand and Derek Fakehany for more than 17 years.

SNSI Annual Gathering and Open House 

 

Join SNSI for an evening of fun, networking and information, on Tuesday, June 23, from 5:30 - 8 p.m. 

We'll be gathering for a cheese and wine reception in the Krannert Room, located in our new home, the Indiana Interchurch Center, located at 1100 W. 42nd Street. 

 

Our annual meeting is a wonderful time to learn about all the great work that SNSI is able to accomplish thanks to the contributions of our partners, volunteers and supporters. No need to RSVP, and the cost is free! We hope to see you there.

 

Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy This 4th of July

 

People love to celebrate Independence Day with gatherings, food, fireworks and fun. But, what humans enjoy can sometimes create anxiety or danger to our animal friends. 

 

Here's a quick list of do's and don'ts from the ASPCA

 for this upcoming July 4 to help us keep our pets safe and happy:  
  • Keep the following poisonous items out of reach of your pet, so they do not ingest any: 

 - Alcoholic beverages 

 - Matches, fireworks and lighter fluid 

 - Citronella candles 

 - Glow sticks or glow jewelry   

  • Keep your pet at home - they will not enjoy outings that are loud and crowded.  
  • Never use fireworks around your pet.  
  • Do not use insect repellent or sunscreen on your pet unless the product is designed for pets. 

Even when pets stay home, many are incredibly afraid of the sound and smells of fireworks. Help your pet find a safe, quiet spot in your home. Extremely sensitive pets have been known to break out of crates and windows just to try to escape their fears. 

Helping Community Cats - how to start a TNR program in your area.

Do you ever wonder how you can help outdoor cats in your area of the state? One of the most strategic ways to keep cats out of shelters is to start a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. 

You can either start your own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, or you can simply partner with your local shelter. If your local shelter has not already started a TNR program for Community Cats (feral and free-roaming cats), you can volunteer to help. 

If they're willing to start a program, they'll need a few live traps and

From there, they can apply for SNSI's Community Cat program, and we'll provide 30 free surgery certificates. 

Similarly, you can become a "colony caretaker" and provide housing and food for Community Cats. They can make wonderful companions, and many of them are excellent at rodent control. 

There are lots of resources for setting up a Community Cat program: 

Successes and Challenges - SNSI's Annual Report Released


In May, SNSI released its first comprehensive annual report to highlight its tremendous successes and accomplishments over the past year. 

Some of the biggest successes highlighted in SNSI's record-breaking year include:
  • 9,231 dogs and cats fixed
  • 6,255 limited income Hoosier families served
  • 152 Indiana animal welfare groups assisted
  • 84,352 surgeries facilitated to date
  • 105 vets in the SNSI network
  • 15,109 Pet Friendly license plates sold to support spay/neuters
  • First staff person
  • First public office
  • $423,741 spent on getting cats and dogs fixed 

SNSI has a lot to celebrate. But, as long as there are animals having unwanted litters, our work is not done. SNSI will continue to work hard every day on their behalf. Read the entire annual report on our website. 

SNSI Awards 14 Groups PFG Grants 
Congratulations to 14 Indiana organizations awarded SNSI's Pet Friendly Group Grant certificates in May, providing free spay/neuter surgery certificates. These non-profit organizations and municipal animal shelters are helping save animal lives in their communities:
  • Almost Home Schnauzer Rescue, Indianapolis (Marion)
  • Caring Canine Animal Rescue, Coal City (Owen)
  • Fried's Cat Shelter, Michigan City (LaPorte)
  • GRRACE, Plainfield (Hendricks)
  • Helping Paws, Indianapolis (Marion)
  • Humane Society of Hamilton County, Noblesville
  • Humane Society of Johnson County, Franklin
  • Indiana GSD and Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc., Quincy (Owen)
  • Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, Indianapolis (Marion)
  • Our Lil' Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue, Poland (Owen)
  • Rescue Farm, Poland (Owen)
  • Save-A-Dog Rescue, Syracuse (Kosciusko)
  • Southside Animal Shelter, Indianapolis (Marion)
  • Switzerland County Animal Shelter, Florence

Any 501c3 animal welfare organization or municipal shelter can apply to the SNSI's Pet Friendly Group Grant and/or Community Cat programs annually to receive free surgery certificates redeemable at participating vets. The funding for this on-going program is made possible from revenues received from sales of the Indiana Pet Friendly License Plate. 

 

Five Indiana Groups Awarded Community Cat Program Certificates 
SNSI is pleased to announce that five more Indiana animal welfare groups have received Community Cat Program certificates to help spay/neuter feral and free-roaming cats.
  • Catsnip Etc. Co., Goshen (Elkhart)
  • Humane Society of Sullivan County, Sullivan
  • Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic, Brownsburg (Hendricks)
  • Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic, Noblesville (Hamilton)
  • Sevens Heaven Wildlife Rehabilitation, Etna Green (Kosciusko)
Adoption Events Aim to Find Forever Homes
Two upcoming events are organized to help dogs and cats find forever homes among families in search of a pet.

Organized by FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic and held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on June 20 and 21, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. This is the largest one-day adoption event in the state, featuring over 1,000 cats and dogs from 26 Central Indiana shelters and rescue groups with reduced adoption fees ($30). Each animal is already fixed, vaccinated and microchipped. The event is free, but there is a $5 cost to park at the fairgrounds. 




Adoption event organized in New Castle at the Henry County Saddle Club, on July 3 from noon to 9 p.m. This free event ($5 to bring a vaccinated, altered, leashed pet along with you) will feature vendors, demonstrations and many animal rescue groups.
 
Remembering Marian Osborn

The animals of Indiana and the world have lost a great benefactor. Marian Osborn loved them all.

Dogs were her passion. She housed them. She fed them. She spayed them. She drew them, and she painted them. She even created SNSI's original logo that served for many decades.

Rest in Peace, Miss Marian.

We all miss you.

Thank you to Connie Hight for providing this memorial.