Humane Society of Elkhart County

The HSEC is dedicated to promoting respect and responsibility for all animals and to the prevention of suffering and neglect through education, public service and adoption.

The Humane Society of Elkhart County
(HSEC) is dedicated to promoting respect and responsibility for all animals and to the prevention of suffering and neglect through education, public service and adoption.

HSEC Social Media Purpose - The Humane Society of Elkhart County, Inc. is a private, not for profit organization that has sole discretion of what may or may not be posted on its social media. Content may be scrutinized for appropriateness and truthfulness as well as relevance to the Humane Society’s purpose or marketing objectives of promoting the organization’s adoptable animals, activities of the shelter and educational segments HSEC deems of importance.

Hundreds of groups and individuals may request to cross post information. However, the Humane Society cannot accommodate all such requests.

Lost and Found Animals - Relevant to finders of lost animals, Elkhart County’s ordinance requires that all lost animals are to be reported to the Humane Society by the finder and they are to speak to the Humane Society staff in order to provide necessary information. A social media post or message to HSEC by itself is not acceptable. All finders are still requested to contact the shelter in order to gather more specific and pertinent information. They may also be directed to other relevant social media sites that offer pet lost and found report functions as their specific media purpose.

Owners who have lost pets are also requested to speak to the Humane Society staff in order to provide necessary information. A social media post or message to HSEC by itself is not acceptable. Owners may also be directed to those social media sites which offer pet lost and fund report functions as their specific media purpose.

Reporting Suspected Abuse and Neglect
Messages or social media posts alone may not be used to pursue reports of abuse or neglect. Contact the Humane Society or local law enforcement to ensure necessary investigation.

Potential Banning of Individuals/Groups Posting or Messaging - Individuals who may display profanity, misinformation, malicious gossip, hearsay, fail to repeatedly follow directions or information provided to them in response to their previous posts or messages or who consistently post information that does not fall into the realm of the Humane Society’s designated objectives may be banned from posting any information on HSEC social media.

Confidentiality - Information regarding animals that may be at the shelter will not be released due to the confidentiality of the owner, animal situation or possible ongoing investigations.

FAQ - Lost and Found Animals

Q. MY PET IS MISSING. WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER ME?

As soon as you notice your pet is missing, call the Humane Society to complete a lost report. We are the only Humane Society in Elkhart County, and people often bring stray or found animals to the shelter or call to report a found animal. Additionally, we serve as animal control for the county and often pick up stray or running at large animals which are then housed at the shelter.

We’ll also ask that you come into the shelter and look for your animal. Only you know what your pet looks like, and we often get similar looking animals of the same breed.

Contact your local newspaper and check ads for lost and found. Some of the area newspapers will print a missing pet ad in their classifieds at no charge to you.

Post flyers in your neighborhood including a photograph.

We do ask pet guardians to be proactive, and consider a microchip for their dog or cat. This service can be provided at the Humane Society or at your local vet office.

Q. WHAT DO I DO IF I FIND A STRAY ANIMAL?

The Humane Society of Elkhart County will only accept animals found in Elkhart County excluding the city of Nappanee which is serviced by another animal welfare group.

First and foremost, immediately contact the Humane Society to file a found report. Take the animal to the Humane Society or to a local vet office to check for a microchip which readily identifies possible owner.

Follow up by checking in the neighborhood to see if someone is missing the animal. You may also contact your local newspaper to see if they run free ads in the classifieds for found animals.

When turning in an animal, you will need to provide a valid driver’s license or proof of identification to confirm you are an Elkhart County resident. Once a stray animal is released to the Humane Society, no further information will be provided to you or anyone else other than the owner regarding the status of the animal.

Individuals who wish to keep the animal at their home after filing a report and having the animal checked for a microchip, may hold onto the animal for up to ten days. If you do not want to continue to keep the animal for that period of time, you may turn the animal into the Humane Society immediately or before the ten day period ends. It will be accepted as a stray and no fee will be charged. Again, once a stray animal is released to the Humane Society, no further information will be provided to you or anyone else other than the owner regarding the status of the animal.

If you feel you may want to keep the animal as your pet, you may continue to keep the animal. After ten days from the report date to the Humane Society and checking for microchip and no lost report has been filed, the animal will become your pet. Nonetheless, if you keep the animal beyond the 10 days and then decide to turn it into the Humane Society, you will then be charged an owner release fee.

For more FAQ - visit our website at:
www.elkharthumanesociety.org/about-us/faq/

Adoption Policy

Adoption Requirements:
Questions? Please call our office at 574-475-HSEC (4732)? or email us at info@elkharthumanesociety.org for more information.

You must...

Adoption Application

54687 County Road 19
Bristol, IN 46507
United States

(574) 475-4732 (Phone)

11/27/2021

Who is decorating today? What do your cats think? This is an interesting idea!

11/26/2021

Limited Staff Currently due to Covid exposure – Limited Staff Available!

Animal Control & Adoptions - Due to a Covid exposure, we are experiencing limited staff currently. Animal Control will be running emergency calls only and our shelter staff will be limited. We are asking everyone to call to schedule an appointment to meet animals for adoption, all animals and applications can be found on our website.

Owner Surrenders/Stray Animals - We are not accepting owner surrendered animals until further notice. If you have found a stray dog, we will be accepting them if you are unable to hold on to them until an owner is found. We are asking that only stray cats that are ill or injured be brought into HSEC. We encourage you to utilize the local lost and found pet pages and neighborhood pages on social media.

If you have found a stray animal, or lost an animal please call our office to file a report, we reunite many animals everyday without them being brought to HSEC. The found animals currently at HSEC will be listed on our website at https://elkharthumanesociety.org/found-animals/

Meet our adoption animals online at https://elkharthumanesociety.org/adopt/

Fill out an adoption application at https://elkharthumanesociety.org/adoption-application/

Email or Phone our staff at info@elkharthumanesociety.org | 574-848-4225

Delays – We apologize in advance for any delays but our goal is to keep our animals, staff and community safe and healthy

11/25/2021

Thanks to all that make it all happen!

11/25/2021

We wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

11/24/2021

We are hiring! Have a passion for animals and want to be part of an amazing team?

https://elkharthumanesociety.org/employment/

11/23/2021

We will be closing early on November 24th for staff training and will be closed on November 25th in observance of Thanksgiving.

11/22/2021

New faces in our adoption center!! elkharthumanesociety.org/adopt

11/22/2021

Clover is still here! This sweet 4 year old wants to be your one and only, will let you know when there is someone at the door and then take a nap with you! She recently hung out with Maria our new Exec Asst/Vol Coord and had a blast...well they both did! Learn more about Clover and all her friends online at elkharthumanesociety.org/adopt

11/18/2021

11/17/2021

Princess is ready to go home!

2 year old Husky/Shepherd mix

www.elkharthumanesociety.org/adopt

11/17/2021

Clarence is an 8 year old terrier looking for a home of his own! www.elkharthumanesociety.org/adopt

11/16/2021

#NationalTakeAHikeDay -
Mitch is one of our kennel team leaders (think dog guru!!) He is a hiker and enjoyed the snow this past weekend with his pup. (#HSECalumni)

Thought these photos were perfect to share today! Thanks to Mitch for all he does at HSEC!.

Where do you hike with your dogs?

Lou Hale

Lou Hale here, the charismatic canine extraordinaire! At 6 years young, I've mastered the art of attention-grabbing screams, guaranteed to...

Easton: Rodent Responder, adoption fees waived!

I am an independent cat who would thrive in the great outdoors. While I may not be very social with...

CAT

"Hey there, I'm Cat, the mischievous 1.5-year-old Husky Mix with a talent for finding the tastiest treats in the most...

Puffin

Puffin is a 4.5-year-old cat who prefers to keep his distance from humans and enjoys his own space. Despite his...

Troy

Hi there, I'm Troy, a 2-year-old Pit Bull mix looking for my forever home! I may have been surrendered by...

Greg

Hey there! I'm Greg, a 2-year-old Pit Bull mix with a heart as big as my cuddly nature. I might...

Bisquick

"Hi there! I'm Bisquick, the adventurous mix of a Siberian Husky and Belgian Malinois. I've got the energy of a...

Daisy- Visit me at the Elkhart PetSmart!

Popcorn

Porter- Rodent responder, adoption fees waived!

Felix

I'm Felix, a 2-year-old pit bull mix who was once a stray but now I'm looking for my forever home....

Dharma

Hi, I'm Dharma, a 2-year-old Pitbull mix with a mysterious past as a stray. I may have a tough exterior,...

Dana

I'm Dana, a resilient 6-year-old cat who has had a rough start in life as a stray. Despite my past,...

Gambit

Hello, I'm Gambit, a 3-year-old pitbull mix eagerly searching for my forever family. I enjoy long walks, playing with toys,...

Storm

Hi there, I'm Storm, a 2.5-year-old pit bull mix who was once a stray but now looking for my forever...

Rogue

Hi, I'm Rogue, a 2-year-old pit bull mix who was found as a stray and is now looking for a...

Wolverine

Hi there, I'm Wolverine, a 2-year-old Pit Bull and Beagle Mix with a sweet personality. I love cuddles and playtime,...

Kenobi

Hello, I'm Kenobi, a 2-year-old Shiba Inu/Husky mix with a charming smile. As a former stray, I've learned to appreciate...

Anakin

Hello, I'm Anakin, a 2-year-old Shiba Inu/Husky mix with a penchant for smiling. Due to my health needs, I'm seeking...

Nebula

Hello, I'm Nebula, a 2.5-year-old Pitbull mix with a laid-back demeanor. Despite my stray background, I'm ready to find a...

Atticus- visit me at the Elkhart PetSmart!

Atticus is a charming 5-year-old cat known for his affectionate nature. He loves cuddling up with his favorite humans and...

Cherry- Rodent responder- adoption fees waived!

Cherry- Rodent responder- adoption fees waived!

I am an independent cat who would thrive in the great outdoors. While I may not be very social with...

Julien

Meet Julien, a 3-year-old male Domestic Shorthair (DSH) cat with a heart of gold, despite his moderate fear and anxiety....

Jared

My name is Jared, and I'm a 1.5-year-old male dog looking for a loving home. While I may not be...

Lorax

Lorax is a 1-year-old male Domestic Shorthair (DSH) cat who was returned due to a landlord issue. He sniffs hands...

Logan

Some info about me: Logan is a 2-year-old male Domestic Shorthair (DSH) cat who was surrendered by his owner. He...

Maximus Grace

Hello, I'm Maximus Grace, a 4-year-old German Shepherd mix who was surrendered by my owner due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite...

Rocky

My name is Rocky, and I'm a 2-year-old male dog with boundless energy and enthusiasm! I may be a hyper...

Atlas

I'm Atlas, a 3-year-old Shepherd mix who was found as a stray. I've been told I'm quite handsome, and I...

Bruno

Bruno is a dog-friendly and active canine who loves running and playing with other dogs. With his energetic personality and...

Bernard

Bernard is an adoptable dog who is nervous and head shy but enjoys butt scratches and treats. He is more...

Helga

Helga here! I'm a 2-year-old Labrador and Staffordshire Terrier mix who's been through a dog prison training program and I'm...

Granger

Hi, I'm Granger, a pit bull and Chinese Shar-Pei mix looking for my forever home! I was found as a...

Paddington

Paddington is a 5-year-old male Domestic Shorthair (DSH) cat who was a stray. He is very sweet, likes to be...

Carter: Rodent Responder, adoption fees waived!

Carter: Rodent Responder, adoption fees waived!

Stetson: Rodent Responder, adoption fees waived!

Rooster

Rooster here! I'm a 2-year-old Anatolian Shepherd mix, and boy, do I love treats and food! I might be cautious...

Brooke: Rodent Responder, adoption fees waived!

Brooke: Rodent Responder, adoption fees waived!

Pita: Visit me at Elkhart PawMart!

Hey, I'm Pita, a playful 2-year-old Domestic Shorthair with a knack for fetching and a heart full of curiosity. While...

Gretchen

Gretchen is a 4-year-old pit bull mix who is nervous and prefers a home without children. She enjoys treats and...

Keegan

My name is Keegan, and I'm a 1-year-old male cat who's had quite the adventure as a stray. I'm curious,...

Terra

Meet Terra, a 3-year-old owner-surrendered pup with a heart full of happiness. She's ready to bring joy and love into...

Buster

My name is Buster, and I'm a 6-month-old male dog that was surrendered due to the other animals not quite...

Waffle

Meet Waffle, a charming 2-year-old Shepherd/Husky mix with a captivating smile and one striking blue eye. Waffle is eagerly looking...

Mr. Moody: Rodent Responder, adoption fees waived!

I am an independent cat who would thrive in the great outdoors. While I may not be very social with...

Corey

Corey is a 9-month-old playful and affectionate dog who adores cuddles and loves to snuggle up with his humans. Despite...

Fabian

Hi there, I'm Fabian, a cuddly pup with a sensitive side. While I may be a bit nervous around new...

Carmella

Meet Carmella, a 2-year-old pit mix with a heart full of love and excitement. I adore going on adventures, whether...

Raul- Rodent responder, adoption fees waived!

I am an independent cat who would thrive in the great outdoors. While I may not be very social with...

Maggie

I'm Maggie, a curious and loving 1.5-year-old Boxer mix looking for a forever home without other dogs. I adore going...

Taffy

I'm Taffy, a 6-year-old pit bull mix who loves to play and socialize with people. I'm full of energy and...

Mamas

I'm Mamas, a 4-year-old pit bull mix full of energy and love for running and zoomies! I'm a great listener...

Calypso

Meet Calypso, the delightful eight-year-old Pit Bull with a heart of gold! Known for her full-body wiggles and friendly demeanor,...

Chanel

Hi, I'm Chanel, a 4-year-old pit bull mix looking for a loving forever home. I prefer a home without other...