Allen County SPCA

In 1948, three local women joined together to better the conditions of animals in Fort Wayne. Originally calls came in about a pet in distress and they would temporarily house a dog or cat in each of their homes until they could find a home for them. In 1950, this group became incorporated as the Allen County SPCA, a nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS. The purpose of the organization in the 1960’s and 1970’s was to provide a way to investigate all animal cruelty cases in northeast Indiana including reviewing of the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s policies and inspecting shelter for horses at Pokagon State Park. After lobbying the city, the 1980’s fostered in the era of a partnership with Animal Care and Control who would investigate cruelty cases, but the Allen County SPCA monitored the results. Throughout this time, adoption has always been a focus of the organization, but this service became its primary focus by the mid-nineties. Since that time, thousands of animals have been placed into homes to live out their lives. The organization is supported by a membership program, special events, adoption fees, grants and bequests to sustain. The organization does not receive government funding to operate and does not have any legal authority to investigate cruelty cases or breeches in city laws that pertain to animals.
Due to the shelter size, we are a limited intake shelter. Our animals come to the organization through community members who can no longer take care of their pets known as owner surrenders. We also take in stray animals that local community members may have found running at large. Lastly, we transfer in hundreds of animals from municipal shelters that would have otherwise faced euthanasia.
Currently, in addition to placing hundreds of animals in homes each year, the Allen County SPCA provides a weekly Pet Food Pantry which provides food for local families who may be facing a hardship. Through the hundreds of outreach events each year, volunteers of the Allen County SPCA provide the community with educational information and a way for our adoptable animals to get out into the public to improve their opportunity for adoption. We also hold an annual Pet Expo to promote adoption and responsible pet ownership which is attended by thousands of pet owners and hundreds of pets.