Media Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2021

FISHERS, Ind. – The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) will celebrate their move into a state-of-the-art, $12M facility on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. with a private, celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony. In attendance will be county and city officials, HSHC staff and board members, key supporters and major gift donors including Steven Cage whose foundation name, and cat Stanley, are featured on the facility. Speaking will be Fishers’ Mayor Scott Fadness, Steve Cage, Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt, the shelter’s current and previous board chairs, Paul Reis and Kim Ebert, and HSHC’s President and CEO, Rebecca Stevens. HSHC plans to hold a public, grand opening event in May with more details to come.

A special announcement will be made honoring the memory of 13 year old Izzy Mattocks, a Noblesville resident, who lost her decade long fight against Stage IV Neuroblastoma on April 1st. Izzy loved cats and it was very important to her that all homeless cats would be fed and cared for. HSHC was named as a beneficiary in lieu of flowers and has already received $9,500 in contributions in Izzy’s memory. Izzy’s parents, Molly and Kendrick Mattocks, will be attending the event.

Following the ribbon cutting, refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided compliments of Republic National Distributing Company, Prime 47 and Nothing Bundt Cakes in the Education Center. Guided tours will be offered showcasing the facility’s highlights and commemorative photos will be available.

COVID restrictions and regulations will be in place to ensure the safety of all attendees and staff. Masks and social distancing are required at all times.

“Words cannot express the level of gratitude we have for every donor and supporter who has made this possible,” Stevens said. “I believe this facility rivals any other animal shelter in the United States with the amount of research, planning, and significant investment that has gone into creating a healthy environment where the animals shine, and a beautiful destination our community will choose as their first option when adding a new pet to their families.”

We encourage the media to attend but request that you safely park alongside Hague Road. Advance notice of your participation, if possible, would be appreciated.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County launched its Building a Brighter Future for Hamilton County & Hoosier Animals Capital Campaign in November 2018 raising the $12M needed to build the 40,000 square foot facility in Fishers within one year thanks to lead gifts from The Steven J. Cage Foundation, the Samerian Foundation, the Hamilton County Commissioners & Council, and Dr. Mark and Vanessa Roth. The facility, which was designed by Curran Architecture with the construction managed by Meyer Najem, will bear the name of both the Humane Society for Hamilton County and The Steven J. Cage Foundation Animal Wellness Center. HSHC will continue serving Hamilton County as an open-admission, truly no-kill shelter in its new location.

The Humane Society will be closed for adoptions as they settle into their new surroundings until April 8th. They will, however, continue accepting Hamilton County’s stray and unwanted animals throughout the entire transition.
About the Humane Society for Hamilton County
The mission of the Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) is “Saving Lives. Educating Communities. Completing Families.” HSHC serves as both the animal control facility and Humane Society for Hamilton County, and as such, receives partial funding (approximately 22%) from Hamilton County to fund the first seven days of an animal’s basic care. The majority of HSHC’s annual operating budget is funded by individual donations and its three annual fundraising events—Wine, Wags & Whiskers, Woofstock, and Tinsel & Tails. HSHC is one of the only open-admission, truly “No-Kill” organizations in the United States in that it does not euthanize animals for time, space, treatable injuries, illnesses or rehabilitatable behavior issues regardless of age, breed, disability or special needs. HSHC also serves the community with a variety of unique programs like the Survivor Program(which funds the medical care and the rescue of over 300 animals at risk for euthanasia in other Indiana shelters each year) and Pets Healing Vets (www.PetsHealingVets.com), which pairs Hoosier veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI with emotional support pets at no cost to the veteran.

HSHC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is not a United Way Agency and is not affiliated with any other animal welfare group in the United States. For more information visit www.HamiltonHumane.com.

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November 12, 2020

• You can watch for free, but we encourage you to REGISTER for the event at the link below so you can bid on the best collection of silent auction items in the 14 year history of Tinsel & Tails…all from home…starting Friday, November 13^th!
• You can ugly cry in the privacy of your home as you watch the featured video presentation of the year’s most remarkable stories of rescue and redemption… followed by the LIVE runway and opportunity to interact with us from home.
• And we have a few other surprises planned that will make you feel like you’re right there with us next Thursday night.

November 11, 2o2o

August 20, 2020

Dear Supporter,
I realize this post is a bit long, but please bear with me.
Like so many other businesses and charities in our community, the Humane Society for Hamilton County has been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic. While pet adoptions have been excellent, our annual fundraising initiatives that keep our doors open, 365 days a year, to over 3,000 animals, have been casualties of COVID.
HSHC relies on the generosity of our donors, corporate sponsors, grants, our Trends for Tails Resale Shop, and the revenue generated by our three major fundraising events to fund our daily operation, community programs, and all life-saving care. Those events–Wine, Wags & Whiskers (May), Woofstock (August), and Tinsel & Tails (November)– account for nearly $400,000 in NET revenue in our 2020, annual operating budget.
While our hope in May was to reschedule Wine, Wags & Whiskers for September 18th, and we have a very comprehensive COVID safety plan to facilitate an indoor event, our team feels the format of a wine tasting still represents too much risk for our guests. Therefore, this event will be canceled for 2020.
It is also with a heavy heart that we will have to close our Trends for Tails Resale Shop effective September 25th. Our resale shop in Noblesville has been another important revenue stream for HSHC generating $50K-$60K in net revenue for our Survivor Program each year. The shop was closed for nearly 2 months, and with continued limited retail traffic and restrictions, it has become another going out of business victim of COVID.
Thankfully, we had already raised the funds needed for the construction of our new facility in Fishers before the pandemic hit. So, the good news is, that project is still on track with those restricted funds in place for this purpose.
The bad news is, the cancellation of Wine, Wags & Whiskers, and the closing of Trends for Tails, along with the loss of several sponsors also impacted by COVID, has us looking at approximately $250,000 in lost revenue for 2020.
Your Humane Society for Hamilton County serves as one of the only open-admission, truly no-kill shelters in the country. As both the animal control facility and Humane Society for Hamilton County, we rescue the most difficult to save, and place, animals imaginable. From victims of abuse and those with hit-by-car injuries, to pets displaced by the economy or a lack of owner commitment, we are equally committed to them all. HSHC has always believed in sharing our blessings beyond Hamilton County’s borders rescuing over 300 animals each year at-risk for euthanasia in other Indiana shelters.

But with this deficit, the lives of these animals, that we are requested daily to help,
lie in the balance.

I have faith that those of you who can *will* consider sharing your blessings with us at this incredibly difficult time. We’re counting on you…because they’re counting on us.
Please donate to our COVID Emergency Fund Today at www.hamiltonhumane.com/covid-relief
With hope,
Rebecca Stevens

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August 4, 2020
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – Lace up your running shoes and grab your furry friends, it’s time for the annual Survivor 5K and Dog Walk! The 12th Annual Woofstock Survivor 5K and Dog Walk will be the event pet lovers and running enthusiasts won’t want to miss. Join the Humane Society for Hamilton County Saturday, August 29, 2020, for this festive 5K supporting the Survivor Program.
Compete with your friends and family for not only the winning 5K time and trophy, but also to raise the most funds for the Survivor Program. This critical program raises funds to provide life-saving and emergency care to thousands of animals in need each year. Without the Survivor Program, animals suffering from broken legs, colds, pneumonia, hit-by-car injuries, and senior pets with aches and pains would not receive the care they require to live, love and be loved.
This year, our need for support is greater than ever. The pandemic has affected our ability to rescue animals in need and fund the life-saving care they so desperately need. In addition, the number of animals needing our help is steadily increasing due to the amount of seniors surrendered and the neglect and major injury cases we have seen.
This program is fully funded through donations from our generous donors and community. Without your support, we would be unable to provide the life-saving care we do. It is critical for the community and public to support this program and participate in the Survivor 5K.
Together with the city of Fishers Health Department, the Humane Society for Hamilton County has reviewed state and local mandates to ensure the safety of the Woofstock participants, volunteers and staff. Woofstock will be facilitated in accordance with the city of Fishers Health Department and state COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Leading up to the event, individuals, groups, and organizations create teams at www.WoofstockRocks.com to organize fundraising efforts and to register for the race.
The fundraising link can easily be shared through email or social media to receive donations and support your fundraising team.
Top youth, individual, corporate, and team fundraisers will be awarded different prizes as well as overall male and female winners and age group winners.
The Woofstock Survivor 5K and Dog Walk is graciously sponsored by Brown-Forman, Curran Architecture, Meyer Najem, Four Day Ray, Current, Centier Bank, Noah’s Animal Hospitals, YogaSix, Tito’s Vodka, WJJK and WFMS.

June 5, 2020

Dear Friends,

The Humane Society for Hamilton County launched its Building a Brighter Future for Hamilton County & Hoosier Animals Capital Campaign in November 2018. That brighter future includes a state-of-the-art, 40,0000 square foot facility located in Fishers that will allow us to save more lives, expand our community outreach programs, and provide a happier and healthier life for the animals.

The $14M campaign ($12M for construction, $2M for an operating endowment), reached $11.7M in October 2019 as we went into the “public phase” of the campaign. With $12.5M raised to date, we still have $1.5M to go…and we’ll be sharing some exciting information next week on how we hope all of you can help us get there.

We are on track to move into this remarkable facility located at the corner of Hague Road and 106th Street in the Spring of 2021. The dream we’ve had for so many years is coming true before our eyes. So we hope you enjoy this first glimpse of our journey thanks to Tom Wood Group, Meyer Najem, and Curran Architecture.

Stay tuned for our Tom Wood Group Weekly Updates…and check out www.HSHCBrighterFuture.com for more information, naming opportunities, and continued updates.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Stevens
President and CEO

January 10, 2020

• The entire family
• If renting, your landlord’s pet policy
• If adopting a dog, every dog in the home must come with for a meet & greet

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June 11, 2019

Trends for Tails supports the Humane Society for Hamilton County

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – Join Trends for Tails and the Humane Society for Hamilton (HSHC) Saturday, June 22, 2019, for the Inaugural Midsummer Market! From 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., the site of HSHC’s future home (10501 Hague Road, Fishers, IN) will be filled with treasures – shop for furniture, home, decor, and more, all while supporting HSHC’s life-saving mission and saving lives.

Proceeds from the Midsummer Market support HSHC’s Survivor Program. This critical program raises funds to provide life-saving and emergency care to thousands of animals in need each year. Without the Survivor Program, animals suffering from broken legs, colds, pneumonia, hit-by-car injuries and senior pets with aches and pains would not receive the care they require to live, love, and be loved. Trends for Tails supports this program annually with store proceeds.

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About the Humane Society for Hamilton County

The mission of the Humane Society for Hamilton County is “Saving Lives. Educating Communities. Completing Families.” HSHC serves as both the animal control facility and Humane Society for Hamilton County, and as such, receives partial funding (approximately 20%) from Hamilton County. The majority of HSHC’s operation is funded by individual donations. HSHC is one of the few open-admission, truly “No-Kill” organizations in the United States in that it does not euthanize animals for time, space, treatable injuries, illnesses or rehabilitatable behavior issues regardless of age, breed, disability or special needs. HSHC also serves the community with a variety of unique programs like the Survivor Program and Pets Healing Vets (www.PetsHealingVets.com). The Humane Society for Hamilton County (HSHC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is not a United Way Agency and is not affiliated with any other animal welfare group in the United States.

About Trends for Tails

April 12, 2019

• The entire family
• If renting, your landlord’s pet policy
• If adopting a dog, every dog in the home must come with for a meet & greet