“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.” - John Grogan, ‘Marley & Me’ 2005

For those of us fortunate enough to have known the life-affirming, unconditional love of an animal, the mention of an abandoned pet is certain to tug on our heart strings.  The reality is that there are literally thousands of abandoned and unwanted animals in our very own communities each year, many who have been neglected or abused – animals who desperately need a loving, forever home. 

Fortunately for us, the Humane Society of Elkhart County (HSEC) seeks to create caring communities that advocate for the humane treatment of all animals, through their mission of promoting respect and responsibility to all animals and the prevention of suffering and neglect through education, public service and adoption.

Humane Society of Elkhart County logo

From humble beginnings back in 1939 by a group of citizens concerned over the fate of unwanted and stray animals, the Humane Society of Elkhart County was eventually formed.  Today, the HSEC operates a state-of-the-art facility that relies on community donations to help support its mission. 

The third largest shelter in Indiana, HSEC takes in more than 7,500 animals per year, works with more than 150 rescue partners, and acts as the animal control service for all of Elkhart County.  And with their own on-site clinic, the shelter not only provides urgent healthcare for the animals it shelters, it also performs upwards of 100-150 spays and neuters on a weekly basis. [2]

Adoption is the goal – a safe, loving, forever home for every animal.  Last year alone, HSEC adopted out more than 1,700 animals to new homes.  Adoption fees are extremely reasonable at $10 for cats/kittens, $5 for small animals, and $25 for dogs/puppies.  (For those who might be looking to adopt, as of the date of this article, if you bring in a new, unwrapped children’s toy for Toys for Tots, the HSEC will waive adoption fees.)

In addition to providing shelter and care for thousands of homeless animals, facilitating adoptions, reuniting lost pets with owners, and serving as animal control for all of Elkhart County, the HSEC also helps to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty and neglect (in collaboration with law enforcement, an average of 100 incidents per month), responds to injured or sick wildlife and domestic animal calls, and advocates for animal issues and concerns at the national, state, and local levels.

Importantly, this scope of service and level of compassion for animals in Elkhart County could not be possible without the support of generous donors and compassionate volunteers.  HSEC’s Executive Director, Rob LaRoy, states, “Thank you again for recognizing our work with this award.  Without such a supportive community we would not be able to serve the animals as we do!” 

Congratulations to Humane Society of Elkhart County, the Indiana Trust Nonprofit Spotlight partner for December 2022!

Nonprofit Spotlight check presentation
Pictured above: Rob LaRoy, Executive Director, Humane Society of Elkhart County; Tina M. Patton, CSOP™, CISM®, Indiana Trust Vice President, Director of Nonprofit & Foundation Engagement; Kim Welch, Board President, Humane Society of Elkhart County.

Learn more about the Humane Society of Elkhart County

Sources:

  1. https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics
  2. https://elkharthumanesociety.org/about/

About the Indiana Trust Nonprofit Spotlight Program

Indiana Trust Wealth Management launched the Indiana Trust Nonprofit Spotlight program initiative in January 2021, which consists of recognizing, rewarding, and promoting a nonprofit organization in one or more of the company’s footprint areas on a monthly basis, as a way to highlight various nonprofit organizations throughout the year and bring attention to the good work being done in the communities they serve. Under the Nonprofit Spotlight initiative, the nonprofit organization will receive a $1,000 corporate donation and be eligible for employee gift-matching throughout the year. David R. Kibbe, JD, President & CEO, states, “As a majority employee-owned company, matching our employees’ contributions is an opportunity for Indiana Trust to support those nonprofits whose missions connect with our employees."

About Indiana Trust Wealth Management

Chartered in 1988 as the first independent trust company in the state of Indiana, and now with more than $2 billion in assets under management, Indiana Trust is deeply committed to the communities they serve.  Advising clients and their families nationwide, Indiana Trust is dedicated to increasing financial security by providing superior, ethical, and unbiased wealth management and advisory solutions – delivering legacies built on trust.

Indiana Trust offers comprehensive wealth management strategies for individual and family wealth, business retirement plans, charitable organizations, foundations, and endowments – delivered with the fiduciary standard of care, a multigenerational commitment, and excellence in stewardship. The company is majority employee-owned with offices in Mishawaka, Elkhart, and Muncie.

Find out more at www.IndTrust.com.

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