Culture

Adopt a furever friend at these Indianapolis animal shelters

Need a new cuddle buddy or want to give back to animals in need? Here are some shelters + rescues around Indy where you can find pawsitively rewarding adoption or volunteer opportunities.

October 13, 2023 • 
Shea Stapley
INDYtoday: INDY_Shea cats_OCT23

City Editor Shea rescued both of her cats and almost adopted 17 more while browsing shelters for this article.

Photo by INDYtoday team

They say dogs are man’s best friend, but we’re not kitten around when we say we’re pretty sure that phrase was invented before cats came into the picture. Today is Global Cat Day, and in honor of our feline friends, here are a few shelters around town where you can litter-ly adopt a cat (or a dog, we’re not judging) right meow.

Not ready to take in a new fur baby today? You can ask about paw-lunteer or donation opportunities instead. Here are a few more rescues in need of support:

More from INDYtoday
INDYtoday: INDY_Augusta Masters Tournament golf_APR26
Food
Masters Champions Dinner menu picks from Indianapolis
With the Masters Tournament right around the corner, we took a swing at narrowing down what local food picks we would bring to the Masters Champions Dinner table.
April 4, 2026
 · 
Shea Stapley
INDYtoday: INDY_spring edibles foraging violets_APR26
Travel and Outdoors
Spring edibles you can forage around Indy
Mother Earth is defrosting, and she’s sprouting dozens of edible plants + flowers that you can find in your own backyard. Go on the hunt with our foraging guide.
April 2, 2026
 · 
Shea Stapley
Garfield Park Farmers Market with flowers
Live
Farmers markets in Indianapolis
Pack your reusable shopping bags — we’ve rounded up eight farmers markets around Indianapolis with everything from fresh produce to gorgeous flowers and beyond.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Staff
INDYtoday: INDY_IndyGo Bus cloud line April Fools'_APR26
Culture
Our favorite April Fools’ jokes from Indianapolis businesses
Here are just a few of the ways local businesses trolled Hoosiers with silly jokes, fake product launches, and more on April Fools’ Day.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Shea Stapley
INDYtoday: INDY_John Wayne's Pub pool hall billiards_APR26
Sports
10+ places to play pool in Indianapolis
Whether you’re a novice player or a professional pool shark, there’s a table for you in the Circle City.
April 1, 2026
 · 
Staff
Hand pulling out drawer of cards
History
Trace your family tree with these genealogy services in Indianapolis
Genealogy, or family history, doesn’t have to be hard when you’ve got these resources at your fingertips.
March 30, 2026
 · 
Staff
Historic stone cathedral with two bell towers under a clear blue sky. A large Nicaraguan flag flutters on the left, evoking a sense of national pride.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share Indy’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of Indianapolis, cities across the world await.
March 27, 2026
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
INDYtoday: INDY_Stout's Footwear Mass Ave shoe store_MAR26
History
Take a walk in the shoes of Stout’s Footwear, the oldest shoe store in America
Stout’s has been owned and operated by the Stout family since 1886. Here’s a quick history lesson on the storied shoe store.
March 27, 2026
 · 
Shea Stapley
INDYtoday: INDY_Exodus Refugee volunteer donations_APR24
Nonprofits
Where to make spring cleaning donations in Indianapolis
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Avoid sending your no-longer-needed items to the landfill and donate them to these local organizations instead.
March 26, 2026
 · 
Staff
INDYtoday: INDY_Indianapolis Arrows baseball MLB team poster_MAR26
History
The history of Indy’s MLB team that almost was: The Indianapolis Arrows
The Arrows were announced in 1985, but plans for the MLB team’s formation fell through shortly afterward. Here’s what happened.
March 25, 2026
 · 
Shea Stapley