Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
INDIANAPOLIS – Pet Friendly Services of Indiana announced the winners of the inaugural Pet Friendly Community Choice Awards, recognizing the shelters, rescues and community cat organizations that earned overwhelming support from communities across the state
Tens of thousands of votes were cast during the three-week public voting period, highlighting the incredible dedication of Indiana residents to the organizations working every day to improve the lives of animals, according to a news release from Pet Friendly Services of Indiana.
A total of $30,000 is awarded per category. First place receives $3,000; second place, $2,000; third place, $1,000; fourth place, $800; and fifth place, $700.
The local 2026 Community Choice Award winners are:
Small Shelter
1. Feline Community Network (Hobart)
2. Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County (Pierceton)
3. Fulton County Animal Center (Rochester)
4. Happy Tails Animal Rescue NP LTD (Terre Haute)
5. Bartholomew County Humane Society (Columbus)
All-Volunteer Rescue
1. New Hope Pet Rescue (Syracuse)
2. Mercy Rescue and Adoption (North Vernon)
3. Dog It Dig It Rescue, Inc. (Farmersburg)
4. Foster Fur Love (South Bend)
5. Homer’s Helpers Inc. (Alexandria)
Community Cat (feral and free roaming)
1. The Meow Mission (Mishawaka)
2. Kosciusko Community TNR (Warsaw)
3. Feline Fix (Evansville)
4. Spay Away the Stray (Portland)
5. 4 Precious Paws Low Cost Spay/Neuter (Lafayette)
“The response to our first Community Choice Awards exceeded every expectation,” said Cheri Storms, executive director of Pet Friendly Services. “These organizations inspired thousands of people through their compassion and dedication. This $30,000 in funding will support their vital work.”
The Community Choice Awards are funded entirely through sales of Indiana’s Pet Friendly specialty license plate. Every penny generated through the plate supports affordable spay/neuter programs across Indiana, addressing the root cause of pet overpopulation, the release states.
Pet Friendly Services is Indiana’s only statewide animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the euthanasia of dogs and cats. Through their innovative spay/neuter programs that fix nearly 14,000 cats and dogs per year, they tackle pet overpopulation at the source — saving lives and reducing suffering. Support their mission by driving with a Pet Friendly specialty license plate, and join a movement that makes a difference for animals in need.
For more information, visit www.PetFriendlyServices.org.
