What to do when you've lost or found a pet
FOUND a pet
FOUND a pet
FOUND a pet
Most pets are found within 2 to 3 blocks of where they live. Click here for helpful tips on what to do if you've found a stray pet.
LOST a pet
FOUND a pet
FOUND a pet
Lost pet? It's important to begin your search as soon as you notice that your pet is missing. Click here for helpful tips when you think your pet may be lost.
Pet Surrender Policy
Citizen Surrender
If you find a lost, homeless or abandoned pet you can contact White River Humane Society to inquire if the shelter has space available to bring the pet in. Citizen Surrenders (i.e. found a stray cat or dog) are different than owner surrenders. Management can be reached by calling 812-279-2457 or email wrhsmgt@gmail.com
Fees
White River Humane Society is an independent non-profit organization (not a municipal shelter which means we are not fully funded by taxpayer dollars). Animals that come to us through animal control, are funded on a per animal basis by the government entity that provided the animal control service and placed the animal into our care. Adoption fees do not cover the cost of care for the animals and WRHS loses money on each animal we take in. We rely on public donations and surrender fees to be able to provide shelter and care for the animals.
Citizen Surrender Fee: $100 (cat or dog)
WRHS knows people mean well when they intervene to help lost / homeless animals. We wish it was as simple as saying YES to every request to take an animal in. We have to have space and funding to proceed. Our average cost of care per animal is over $380 and the surrender fee helps us to get started helping the animal. We have to ensure that we are able to stay in operation to answer the call when animals are in need of a second chance.
Help us to help the animals
We cannot pay for veterinary services, supplies and general operation expenses without adequate funds to do so. Please consider donating to our Pet Surrender Fund to help offset costs for individuals who are trying to intervene to help animals but may not be able to contribute financially to support the cause.
Owner Surrender Policy
Owner Surrender
If you are no longer able to take care of your dog or cat, WRHS may be able to take in your pet in an effort to find it a new home. Please visit our rehome page for websites that could be beneficial in aiding you to find a new home for your pet (which avoids them living at the shelter).
Owner surrendered pet evaluations are available by appointment with a member of our management team. Please note that WRHS does not guarantee we will be able to take your pet as space is limited and demand is high. Please call 812-279-2457 or email wrhsmgt@gmail.com to make an appointment for an owner surrender pet evaluation.
Fees
Owner Surrender Fee: $300 (cat or dog) that is unaltered (not already spayed/neutered) AND not currently up to date on routine vaccinations
Owner Surrender Fee: $200 (cat or dog) that is EITHER already spayed/neutered but not currently up to date on routine vaccinations OR unaltered (not already spayed/neutered) but IS up to date on routine vaccinations -veterinary records required for proof of spay/neuter &/or vaccinations
Owner Surrender Fee: $100 (cat or dog) that is already spayed/neutered AND up to date on routine vaccinations -veterinary records required for proof of spay/neuter & vaccinations
WRHS would love to be able to say YES to everyone that requests for us to take their pet in. We are not fully funded by tax dollars and have to fundraise to have money to be able to operate and take care of the lost, abandoned and homeless animals. We understand that sometimes financial hardship is a factor in no longer being able to take care of your pet, however our organization also has bills to cover to be in a position to take care of these pets.
Help us to help the animals
Pet owners who have been faced with life circumstances where they can no longer care for their pet may also be in a situation where they are unable to cover the pet surrender fee. Please consider donating to our Pet Intake Fund to help provide care to pets in need.