A homeless shelter, an adoption center and a community pet food bank...
The Allen County SPCA has been providing a safe haven for homeless cats and dogs in Northeast Indiana for more than 60 years. Our animals come to us from a variety of circumstances and require attention from the moment they arrive. Operating without any financial support from the government, the Allen County SPCA survives through the generosity of pet lovers in our community who wish to help dogs and cats in need.
Our organization provides a safe haven for stray and surrendered cats and dogs in our community until they find their permanent homes. Our limited intake facility offers an effective and comprehensive adoption program which places hundreds of dogs and cats into loving homes. While in our care, we provide medical and rehabilitation services as necessary to give the animals the best opportunity for adoption.
In addition, to deepen the impact of our organization and its reach, we offer additional services such as a weekly pet food bank open to those pet owners in need throughout our community. Our community pet food bank is open on Thursdays from the time we open with distribution ending 30 minutes before we close when we have food available. An I.D. with proof of current address will need to be provided and proof that your pet(s) are spayed or neutered. Recipients are allowed one visit in 5 weeks.
Our Mission
The Allen County SPCA will promote the prevention of cruelty to animals by providing a safe haven for animals, an effective and comprehensive adoption program, education and outreach programs for the community and deep and broad membership and volunteer programs.
Common Questions About Us
How do you get the animals in your program?
TRANSFER OF AT RISK ANIMALS: The overpopulation of pets is a real challenge. Municipal shelters around our community are overcrowded with animals and are forced to euthanize many. We work with these shelters and with other rescues to bring in animals they do not have the room to keep and put them into our adoption program.
OWNER SURRENDER: Some of our companion animals are family pets given up by their owners due to circumstances beyond their control. Some have been abandoned here at the shelter and others have been found by thoughtful members of our community and brought to us for a second chance at a happy home.
How long do you keep the animals in your care?
The animals in our adoption program remain in our care or the care of a foster family until they find a forever home. Occasionally, we do humanely euthanize animals with incurable illnesses or severe aggression, but never for population control.
Can I adopt an animal if I live outside of Allen County?
Yes! Anyone with an approved application can adopt one of our animals.
How can I help you?
Visit the Ways to Help section to see how you can help. From saving your recyclables for us, to doing a fund drive, we can always use help from our community.
Staff
Allen County SPCA 260-744-0454
Director (ext 201): Jessica Henry
Business Manager (ext 203): Dawn LaPorte
Marketing Development Manager (ext 207): Kathy Minnich
Volunteer Development Manager (ext 204): J. Mark Hannon
Office Coordinator (ext 203): Kelli Lambert
Medical Team Captain (ext 205): Tanya Gallo
Assessment Team Captain (ext 202): Emilee Smith
Operations Team Captain (ext 202): Tyna Reiter
Animal Care Specialists (ext 202): Amie Schoeff, Amy Carnahan, Christina Kaminski, Caitln Lothamer, Ashley Smith, Maria Montes
Board of Directors
President: Mick Stewart, ISU/Stewart, Brimner, Peters
Vice President: Kent Pyle, Northwestern Mutual
Treasurer: Kathleen Smith, Swiss Re
Secretary: Terah Brogan, Blackhawk Middle School
Anne Carney, Eilbacher Fletcher, LLP
Amber Eagleson, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
Fernando A. Fernandez, L'Oreal Salon Consultant
Melanie Hall, MetalX
Deb Morrone, Fort Wayne Police Department
Chris O’Rourke, Messenger
Christy Sandmaier, Fort Wayne Ballet
Jordan Scheiber, Gibson Insurance
Terra Schmidt, Lutheran Hospital
Shelly Zachary, Flinn Zachary Aviation Group
Shelter Information Downloads
• Shelter Statistics
• Annual Report
• Form 990
• Privacy Policy
Want to help
homeless animals?
Sat, May 25, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jun 1, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
10260 Maysville Rd &
10035 Lima Rd
Mon, Jun 3, 5:30 pm
Foster Reception
at the shelter
All Allen County SPCA
Foster parents invited!
Interested in joining our foster program?
Call Mark at 744-0454, x204
to reserve your spot.
Sat, Jun 8, 11 am - 2 pm
Pet Supplies Plus Community Outreach
4714 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat & Sun, Jun 8 & 9, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO National Adoption Weekend
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jun 15, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jun 22, 10 am - 4 pm
PugFest at the Coliseum
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jun 22, 11 am - 2 pm
RiverFest at IPFW
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jun 29, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jul 6, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
10260 Maysville Rd &
10035 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
Sat, Jul 13, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jul 13, 11 am - 2 pm
Pet Supplies Plus Community Outreach
4714 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Jul 13, 11 am - 4 pm
Bikini Car Wash & Dog Wash
Boudoir Noir
512 W Superior St
Fort Wayne, IN
All donations benefit our shelter!
Sat, Jul 27, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Aug 3, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
10260 Maysville Rd &
10035 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
Sat, Aug 10, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Aug 10, 11 am - 2 pm
Pet Supplies Plus Community Outreach
4714 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sun, Aug 18, 3 pm - 9 pm
Piere's WingFest
Piere's Entertainment Center
5629 St. Joe Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
To benefit our shelter!
Sat, Aug 24, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Sep 7, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Sep 7, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
10260 Maysville Rd &
10035 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
Sat, Sep 14, 10 am - 4 pm
Hope Adopt-A-Thon
H.O.P.E. For Animals
1333 Maycrest Dr, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Sep 14, 11 am - 2 pm
Pet Supplies Plus Community Outreach
4714 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Sep 21, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Oct 5, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Oct 5, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
10260 Maysville Rd &
10035 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
Sat & Sun, Oct 5 - 6
Fraternal Order of Eagles
3rd Annual BBQ Cookoff
4940 Bluffton Road
Fort Wayne, IN
Sat, Oct 12, 11 am - 2 pm
Pet Supplies Plus Community Outreach
4714 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Oct 26, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Nov 2, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
10260 Maysville Rd &
10035 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
Sat, Nov 9, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Nov 9, 11 am - 2 pm
Pet Supplies Plus Community Outreach
4714 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Nov 9
Cat Walk
- Wild India!
Grand Wayne Center, Ft Wayne, IN
Doors open at 5 pm
Performance at 7 pm
www.acspcacatwalk.org
Sat, Nov 23, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Dec 7, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Dec 7, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
10260 Maysville Rd &
10035 Lima Rd
Fort Wayne, IN
Sat, Dec 14, 11 am - 2 pm
Pet Supplies Plus Community Outreach
4714 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Dec 28, 11 am - 2 pm
PetSmart Community Outreach
1760 Apple Glen Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Sat, Dec 28, 11 am - 2 pm
PETCO Community Outreach
315 E Coliseum Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN
See who is available for adoption!
Article written by volunteer Debra Lockhart
I’ve been volunteering with a local rescue for about a year now and have loved every minute of it. In the past year, I’ve transported dogs, helped rescue dogs off of a chain, helped a dog give birth, adopted and said goodbye as some of my favorites have found their forever home. I’ve gotten to know some dogs more than others and have cheered nearly every adoption and only shed a tear or two for a few who have especially touched me in some way.
Still, there was something missing. This rescue is foster based, and at this time that is the one thing I’m not able to do, so most of my interactions come from adoption events or transport services. If I could bring my dog to work with me things might be different, because sometimes you just need to hug a dog or play with a kitty, so I began volunteering at our local SPCA. I figured that they were located close enough to my office that I could spend a lunch hour or two each week relaxing in the company of a furry little friend under the guise of helping them while in all actuality, reaping the benefits that come with cuddling a pet. Orientation was in two parts so after part one, I was able to ‘socialize with cats’ and I spent a good portion of a lunch hour on the floor of a kitty room getting and giving some soft purr-y love.
Part two allowed us to interact with the dogs and there was a special boy whom I met at both orientations and I was eager to go back and really interact with him on my first “dog day.” Its funny how a dog (or any animal, really) can grab your heartstrings and how it varies from person to person as to who that special furry pal may be. A fellow volunteer nudged me and pointed at a dog, “That’s my dog. I’m going to adopt that one.” “Hmmm, cute dog, nothing special,” I thought. He or she was the kind of dog I might not have given a second glance at if I weren’t here to generally socialize with the dogs.
In the kennel next to “her dog” was the special someone who had me at first glance. Truth be told, “special boy” is not usually someone who would grab my attention… except he did. He was just a medium sized dog, medium hair, medium build but with a deep chest and funny white paws that were too big for his body. (As a further testament to how perception skews what we actually see, he is listed as a large dog with long hair.) There was nothing exceptional… but his eyes. Ah, those soulful cinnamon eyes peering at me over the chew toy he hopefully offered me, they had me at hello.
Paws up for Girl Scout Troop 20451 from Haverhill Elementary School. They made lots of bandanas for our adopted dogs to wear home and collected much-needed supplies for our shelter. Plus, the girls listened to a talk given by shelter director, Jessica Henry, and asked very good questions. The scouts pledged to be kind to animals and to remember to adopt instead of shop! Thank you, Troop 20451!
