This list showcases the top dog rescues & shelters in Indiana. These remarkable organizations have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to the well-being of countless dogs. We've compiled this list by gathering heartfelt testimonials from both the Sniffspot community and the wider public, ensuring a comprehensive perspective on these exceptional shelters.
#118 in United States, #1 in Indiana
Chicago
We are a 501c3 organization specializing in forever placements of our amazing dogs into great homes! Spay & neuter is also at the top of our priority list as our major contribution to fighting pet overpopulation.
"I started fostering for Homeward Bound in 2020. I quickly fell in love with everything about the rescue. They find..."
— cori m.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"In the past six years, I have adopted two dogs from Homeward Bound Animal Rescue. I believe so much..."
— sally j.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
#146 in United States, #2 in Indiana
Indianapolis
Helping Paws is a foster-based rescue run 100% by volunteers. We do not have a facility, so all pets are fostered in loving homes until they find their forever families! We deal in all breeds and ages of pets, but we do have a soft spot for medical cases.
"I have adopted (2) and fostered for Helping Paws. I have also been a small part of the organization volunteering..."
— leta p.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"Helping Paws goes above and beyond to support no only the animals in its care, but the fosters who dedicate..."
— sarah s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
#266 in United States, #3 in Indiana
"NLSDR is an amazing rescue. They kept our boy Rufus safe for 3 years before we adopted him! The adopters..."
— amy m.
Adoptee
"I have no personal experience, but have seen their name many times as a rescuer at a kill shelter...."
— teressa b.
Fan
#266 in United States, #3 in Indiana
Indianapolis
Our Mission: Training Shelter Dogs as Service Dogs As a leading authority in medical alert assistance dogs, Medical Mutts is dedicated to training rescued dogs to be service dogs and to promoting collaboration between dogs and people through science, education, and ethical training. Originally, Medical Mutts was a business, but became a non-profit in 2019. We rescue approximately 90 dogs per year and 30 of them graduate to become service dogs. The other 60 are adopted out to loving homes. Over the course of 11 years, we have graduated 131 service dogs and rescued over 460 shelter dogs.
"I personally have no experience with this group, but consistently see their name as a rescuer pulling dogs from a..."
— teressa b.
Fan
"Medical mutts is an amazing organization. They rescue dogs and give them a new life by learning to by a..."
— keelie b.
#266 in United States, #3 in Indiana
Chicago
The Humane Society of Hobart (HSH) is a nonprofit animal shelter on a mission to build and strengthen pet families and has been saving the lives of homeless pets since 1954. We are small , but mighty! In 2023 alone, HSH sheltered more than 2,500 homeless pets, provided services to more than 1,000 pet families in need of resources and supplies, and returned 253 lost pets to their owners. We work alongside law enforcement when there is an emergency or criminal situation and animals are present. After law enforcement has secured the scene, we proceed to rescue the animals. Sometimes we work with the Indiana State Veterinarian to methodically document all that is needed to care for the animals or prosecute if neglect and cruelty is suspected. The staff and volunteers are true warriors that lead with courage and compassion, daily meeting the challenge of many animals coming to our door in need of emergency medical care and shelter.
"So wonderful"
— radine g.
Fan
"They are northwest Indiana heroes"
— holly j.
Fan
We are now functioning as a rescue and are excited to be able to offer wonderful pitbulls in need of forever homes. We are still a very small group and are in need of fosters and donors to continue helping pit bulls in need. Please keep in mind that we are unable to help every pit bull in need, but we do strive to help as many as we can.
Everything we do—from adoption and retention programs to clinic services, community outreach and education—stems from our core value, love. We believe when pets have safe and loving homes, they thrive. And with their loving companionship, so do we. We’re for people. We’re for pets. We’re for Love, Unleashed.
Helping Paws is a foster-based rescue run 100% by volunteers. We do not have a facility, so all pets are fostered in loving homes until they find their forever families! We deal in all breeds and ages of pets, but we do have a soft spot for medical cases.
Our Mission: Training Shelter Dogs as Service Dogs As a leading authority in medical alert assistance dogs, Medical Mutts is dedicated to training rescued dogs to be service dogs and to promoting collaboration between dogs and people through science, education, and ethical training. Originally, Medical Mutts was a business, but became a non-profit in 2019. We rescue approximately 90 dogs per year and 30 of them graduate to become service dogs. The other 60 are adopted out to loving homes. Over the course of 11 years, we have graduated 131 service dogs and rescued over 460 shelter dogs.
Animal Care Services protects and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of pets and livestock in Marion County. The agency works with animal rescue organizations both locally and nationally. If you are thinking about surrendering your pet, please consider using our rehoming resources to help find a new home for your four-legged friend. Rehoming your pet on your own keeps it from entering the stressful shelter environment and keeps a kennel open for pets who need it the most. IACS works with Rehome by Adopt-a-pet.com to promote animals available for adoption that are not in the shelter. Visit this link to create a quick and easy profile and share your pet’s story with thousands of potential adopters.
Welcome to the 2024 Indiana Sniffspot Top Dog Rescue & Shelter List, highlighting the top rescues and shelters in Indiana chosen by the Sniffspot community and the public.
Sponsored by Sniffspot, the largest global network of private dog parks, each park offers secure, private bookings on private land, including fenced, water, indoor, and beach parks. As a hub for rescue dogs, our sponsorship underscores our dedication to supporting shelters and rescues. Explore Indiana dog parks on Sniffspot's platform.
Potential adopters need to fill out an adoption application that needs to be approved by our adoption coordinator. We also require home visits to ensure the pets are going to be living in safe conditions. All current pets in the homes must be spayed/neutered and up to date on regular vetting - including vaccines and heartworm prevention (for dogs).
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either his own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle (or worse, get bored of) them in just a few days?
You’ve been told that your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to stretch their legs, experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and spend time with you! Consistent physical activity will also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dog breeds have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being dangerous. Rottweilers are among them — as a large working breed, they’re often thought of as aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Welcome to the United States Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in the United States based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used.
Welcome to the New Jersey Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in New Jersey based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Michigan Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Michigan based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Washington Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Washington based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Welcome to the Florida Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in Florida based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used. To learn more about our dog trainer contest, feel free to view the dog trainer contest post.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure. Here’s what the United States has to offer to its more than 90 million canine companions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.