Indiana-PAW Helps Animal Shelters & Rescue Groups Through Our Programs & By Sharing Resources & Information
We've had a number of successes since we launched Indiana-PAW in November of 2004, and we share them here, so our volunteers, foster families, and partners in the animal welfare community and media (i.e., the folks who have helped bring about these successes) can share in our celebration!
- Foster Program Success! Indiana-PAW provides foster families to many area shelters and rescue groups, including: Indianapolis Animal Care & Control, ARPO, Morgan County Humane Society, Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue, the City of Rushville Animal Shelter and many more. Here are some photos of the animals Indiana-PAW volunteers have fostered:
Daphne at home with her new mom, Angela. Daphne was fostered by Audrey as part of the Rushville project. 
Jagger at home with his new Pyr brother :-) Jagger was one of the 17 animals that Indiana-PAW helped pull from the Rushville Animal Shelter and put into foster care across the state.
Mia is being fostered by Jennifer Williamson (and her daughter) for Casa Del Toro Bully Breed Education & Rescue.
Abbey at home with her new mom (Megan) and dad (Jared). Abbey was one of the 17 animals that Indiana-PAW helped pull from the Rushville Animal Shelter and put into foster care across the state. Click here to read an email interview with Abbey's foster mom and her thoughts about the Rushville project.
At left, Scotty going home with his new mom (from left to right, Jennifer his foster mom and her daughter, along with Sarah his new mom). At right, Scotty and his new mom driving away. Scotty was one of the 17 animals that Indiana-PAW helped pull from the Rushville Animal Shelter and put into foster care across the state. Click here to read an email interview with Scotty's foster mom and her thoughts about the Rushville project.
Earl with his foster mom, Sabrina Dawber and her boyfriend, Casey (left), and Earl at his new dad's house (right). Earl was one of the 17 animals that Indiana-PAW helped pull from the Rushville Animal Shelter and put into foster care across the state. Click here to read an email interview with Earl's foster mom and her thoughts about the Rushville project.
Waylon (formerly Spot) at home with his new mom. Waylon/Spot was one of the 17 animals that Indiana-PAW helped pull from the Rushville Animal Shelter and put into foster care across the state. Click here to read an email interview with Waylon's mom and her thoughts about the Rushville project.
Andy with his new family on the day he was adopted. Andy was one of the 17 animals that Indiana-PAW helped pull from the Rushville Animal Shelter and put into foster care across the state. Click here to read an email interview with Andy's mom and her thoughts about the Rushville project.
Indiana-PAW foster parent, Billie Britton, is fostering Pearl as an extension of the Rushville Animal Shelter Project in August 2007. Billie is one of 70 Indiana-PAW foster heroes!
Billie has now decided to ADOPT Pearl! :-)
Rosie and her new mom, Pam. Rosie was one of the 17 animals that Indiana-PAW helped pull from the Rushville Animal Shelter and put into foster care across the state. Click here to read an email interview with Rosie's mom and her thoughts about the Rushville project.
Indiana-PAW foster parent & board member Audrey Abner-Lenz is fostering several cats for our special project with the Rushville Animal Shelter. In addition, several Indiana-PAW foster parents have and are fostering several dogs from our special project with the Rushville Animal Shelter. From left to right, Tammy Fraser fostered Rosie, Karen Spikes fostered Sierra, Jennifer Williamson fostered Scottie, Angela Bickler fostered Spot, Ash Lewin fostered Andy, and Sabrina Dawber is fostering Earl. There are just some of the animals we were able to help from the Rushville Animal Shelter.
Indiana-PAW foster parent, Billie Jo Butts, in July 2007, picking up the dog she's fostering for Northern Lights Sled Dog Rescue. Billie is one of 70 Indiana-PAW foster heroes!
Indiana-PAW foster parent Billie Jo Butts and her family with Abbey, one of the dogs saved from the Rushville Animal Shelter!
Just before Christmas 2006, Shari Johnston received a call from Indianapolis Animal Care & Control saying they had a mother dog with 10 nursing pups that they didn't have staff to care for, especially over the holidays. Shari took the mother dog (Addie, at left), who was just a skeleton, and five of her weakest pups. Another lady was asked to care for the other five pups. Shari immediately started feeding the pups with an eyedropper, and addressing Addie's nutritional needs. Medical care was provided by the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and the Bash Road Emergency Clinic. Although one pup unfortunately didn't make it, the rest grew strong and healthy. Santa visited all the kids over the holidays and they learned to play with balls and stuffed toys. The pups were adopted at the Puppy Adoption Bowl, and Addie has become a permanent member of the Johnston family.
Barkely, Freckles, Studs Terkel, and Punkin (from left to right) learning the sit on command in preparation for the Indianapolis Animal Care & Control "Puppy Adoption Bowl" 2007 where they found forever homes. They are four of ten puppies that were picked-up by Animal Control with their mother, Addie, shortly before Christmas. Shari Johnston and her family fostered Addi and her puppies.
Tiffany (far left) investigates a pink boa during her first few days of foster care. She and her siblings Clarabell (middle) and Sammy (right) were relinquished to Indianapolis Animal Care & Control last Fall, but thanks to foster parent Shari Johnston, they were fostered and before Christmas had loving homes.
Gilligan (at left) came to Shari Johnston as a foster child over Memorial Day Weekend, 2005. He was set for an adoption that fell through. So Gilligan, who loves to climb in Christmas trees, became a Johnston, also.
Titan (at left) is a 5 year old American Stafforshire Terrier from Last Chance Rescue. Titan had a family his whole life, but a house fire forced his family to move to a
place where they couldn't bring him. Indiana-PAW Foster Parent Jenny Frew has been fostering Titan and she says, "When I first got him 5 weeks ago, he was extremely underweight and depressed from being seperated from his family. But, he was still a very friendly, loving dog. Since I've had him, he has gained weight and continues to be a very cuddly pooch. I am thinking about adopting him because he has just been so wonderful."
Louise (at left) was adopted in May, 2006, after being fostered by Indiana-PAW foster parents and featured as an Indiana-PAW "Pet Of The Week." Louise's story is an example of the miracles that happen when animal welfare agencies work together: Indianapolis Animal Care & Control rescued Louise from Hurricane Katrina-stricken Louisiana. Indiana-PAW foster parents Rae and Don Steeb provided Louise with foster care, after driving all the way down from Merrillville to pick up Louise from Indianapolis Animal Care & Control, where she'd been living for 7 months. Ray and Don stepped up to speak for Louise and foster her until a permanent home could be located. And, ASTRO Pit Bull Rescue helped find Louise a permanent home. What a success!
Willard Scott was fostered by Hope & Jim Sinclair who also helped find Willy a new home! Willard was being fostered for Indianapolis Animal Care & Control. Hope and Jim drove all the way from Fowler to pick up Willard Scott from Indianapolis Animal Care & Control. Willard Scott had the odds against him he was black, an adult, and at a huge city shelter where many animals are passed over by citizens who are overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals needing homes. Willard Scott's odds of being adopted were not great, statistically speaking. But thanks to the hardworking staff at Indianapolis Animal Care & Control, along with the Sinclair family, Willard has a bright future.
Tracey Bruick is fostering Samson, the Great Pyrenees for Indy Great Pyrenees Rescue, in November 2006. Tracey and her daughter, Maya, regularly foster for various organizations through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster," as well as volunteer at Indiana-PAW community outreach events.
Kittens fostered in June, 2006 for the Hamilton County Humane Society by Indiana-PAW foster parent Tracey Bruick! Tracey fostered the kittens, and their mother, even through a leg amputation for the momma cat.
Pebbles from the Morgan Co. Humane Society is being fostered by Tracey Bruick. 
Louise, a Hurricane Katrina dog, is being fostered by Rae & Don Steeb for Indianapolis Animal Care & Control.Willard Scott was fostered by Hope & Jim Sinclair who also helped find Willy a new home! Willard was being fostered for Indianapolis Animal Care & Control.
Sophie was fostered by Dianne James through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster." Dianne ultimately decided to adopt Sophie herself!
Katie, who was adopted in January 2006 (here with his new family), was fostered by Dianne James (left) through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program for Indianapolis Animal Care & Control. Diane James was selected, along with Karen Spikes, as "Foster Parents Of The Year" for 2005.
Rory was being fostered by Tammy & Connor Fraser through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program for Indy Great Pyrenees Rescue, and was recently adopted! Connor Fraser loves animals and it was at his encouragement that his family joined the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster."
Sissy was being fostered by Tammy & Connor Fraser through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program. Sissy has gone off to an East Coast humane society to be adopted! Tammy & Connor not only foster for various shelters through the "Foster Roster", but also participate in many community outreach for Indiana-PAW.
Sheba was also fostered by Dianne James through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program. Sheba was adopted just before Thanksgiving 2005!
Stormy is being foster by Dianne James through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program. Read Dianne's thoughts on fostering below.
Haley was also fostered by Dianne James through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program (although she's since been adopted) for New Hope Rescue. Read Dianne's thoughts on fostering below.
Napoleon was the first of many dogs that Sandy Wiley and her family have fostered through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program. Sandy Wiley was honored in 2005 as Indiana-PAW's "Volunteer Of The Year" for her work in both the foster program and her other volunteer work with Indiana-PAW.
Glacier (a deaf lab/pitbull-mix and an Indiana-PAW Pet Of The Week) is one of the wonderful "special needs" dogs fostered by Karen Spikes. Karen & Ron Spikes have fostered more animals through Indiana-PAW than any other foster family, and they do a superb job. It's for this reason that they were selected, along with Dianne James, as Indiana-PAW's "Foster Parents Of The Year" for 2005.
Robin Heppner is fostering Sandy for ARPO through the Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster" program.
Shari Johnston and her family fostered Morgan for IACC, and ended up adopting him. At right is a picture of Morgan in 2007 after his fur grew back. 
Mike Mercer and his family fostered Smokey, fell in love, and adopted him from Indianapolis Animal Care & Control permanently! Both Smokey and Gus (at right) were part of a pair of seizures of abused animals in March 2005. Indianapolis Animal Care & Control was suddenly burdened with 10 dogs with special needs (e.g., socialization) that required fostering, and Indiana-PAW foster families jumped in to assist. Spaces were located for all 10 dogs within a matter of days. 
Jason and Kami Ward fostered Gus for Indianapolis Animal Care & Control until they found a new forever home for Gus. Gus was brought to the Indiana-PAW booth at Petfest 2005, and was adopted within an hour of arriving!
Indiana-PAW's First Foster Family Appreciation Dinner Participating organizations regularly comment on their appreciation of Indiana-PAW "Foster Roster":
"Here I am, gushing again (smile)! Seeing Louise walk out of our FRONT DOOR (IACC kennel staff understand the significance of that only too well) that Saturday afternoon was one of my happiest moments to date... Ultimately, the critical difference between life and death is having fosters and rescue groups available to take these animals. I will never be able to thank you all [at Indiana-PAW] enough."
- Leslie Fautam, Director of Indianapolis Animal Care & Control"It's folks like Ron and Karen [Spikes, Indiana-PAW foster parents] - and organizations like Indiana-PAW - that are the real backbone and lifeblood of a shelter like ours. I have seen with my own eyes how saving lives, one or two or three animals at a time, can amount to hundreds very quickly."
- Leslie Fautam, Director of Indianapolis Animal Care & Control"Thank you for sending this out to your database. I appreciate the opportunity to tap into the many resources your organization [Indiana-PAW] has to offer, and I'm certain we will!"
- Rebecca Stevens, Director of Humane Society of Hamilton County"Other people in Beardie Rescue are getting a bit jealous of the availability of foster homes in Indiana though I-PAW!...I know that I would never have to turn down a Beardie or Neardie in need due to a lack of foster care. You have done a wonderful job! Two paws way, way up! I-PAW ROCKS!! "
- Kathy McGriff of B.O.N.E. (Beardies and Others Needing Emissaries) Rescue"[Your foster parent Karen is fostering] Teddy, one of our "lifers" who is blind and arthritic. She's doing a GREAT job with Teddy and, for that referral alone, we can't thank you enough!"
- Pat Irvin of Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue, Inc.It's not just the shelters and rescues that are benefiting from our foster program, though. The foster families are also truly enjoying the experience:
"Being a foster family has been so rewarding to all of us. My children learn what it means to open their homes and hearts to someone less fortunate than them, to see first hand when an animal is abused how it reacts to someone...trying to learn to trust and love again."
- Sandy Wiley, Foster Parent"I have learned more than you can imagine about determination, perseverance, and unconditional love. Challenging...yes, but the rewards are endless. Each group is very supportive during the fostering experience and makes every effort to match "foster parents" with a foster that will be comfortable and thrive in their temporary home....But to know you have given hope and a chance for a wonderful life full of love to a dog or cat who before knew only hunger, pain, and/or sadness makes all the tough times worthwhile."
- Karen Spikes, Foster Parent"Shelters are full of animals that deserve a second chance, a safe haven, and love, and I am grateful for any opportunity to provide that, however brief their stay might be."
- Dianne James, Foster ParentJoin our Foster Roster and make a difference like the Spikes, Wiley, Johnton, Mercer and dozens of other families have done!
- Pet Of The Week Success! Our Pet of the Week program has already resulted in at least three adoptions! McGarvey, Cassie and Jazzy (see photos below) were all adopted after being featured as Indiana-PAW Pets of the Week!
Cassie, adopted after being featured as an Indiana-PAW Pet of the Week.
McGarvey with his new mom, Renee. Renee adopted McGarvey after she saw him featured as an Indiana-PAW Pet of the Week. He'd spent nearly two years in a shelter, awaiting adoption.
Jazzy, adopted after
being featured
as an Indiana-PAW Pet of the Week. From Jazzy's new parents: "Laura and I adopted a Lab last year and we had been thinking about adopting another. I would stop outside of your [Jeanine Brosch, Indiana-PAW staff member] cube every week to check out all the IPAW Pets of the Week. So when we made the decision to adopt another dog, it was very easy to pick out several potential new pets and choose one. We chose Jazzy, a Lab/Terrior mix. She's a real sweety! Linda from Love of Labs, IN and Lin, Jazzy's foster mom, were very helpful with the adoption process, too."
