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Clinton County Humane Society reports strong live-release rate, expanded services after grant-funded upgrades
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Summary
The Clinton County Humane Society told commissioners on Feb. 3 that 642 animals entered care in 2025, adoptions exceeded intakes and the live-release rate was about 95%; the shelter credited grants and partnerships for facility upgrades and reduced lengths of stay.
The Clinton County Humane Society reported improvements across intake, adoptions and shelter operations at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Feb. 3.
Cheyenne Taylor, the society’s executive director, said 642 animals entered care last year, compared with roughly 1,000 the year before, and the shelter recorded 659 outtakes (317 cats, 342 dogs). "Our live release rate is 95 percent," Taylor said, adding that the figure rises slightly when the shelter excludes animals that arrived dead or died before intake.
Taylor and Owen Lucas, the society’s vice president, said the shelter has reduced average lengths of stay to about 101 days for cats and 43 days for dogs. Lucas told the board animal-control calls fell to 377 in 2025 from 506 in 2024 while bite- and quarantine-related cases increased to 53 from 23. "We are trying to look for some solutions on how we can educate the public on some bite preventative measures," Lucas said.
Board and shelter leaders credited grant-funded programs and partnerships for much of the progress. Cheyenne described a Dogs Playing for Life playgroup program that increased adopter interest, and the shelter’s inclusion in a statewide shelter network that accepts animals from hoarding and cruelty cases. Owen said a Community Foundation of Clinton County grant of $80,000 paid to replace dog kennels and that Medvedev Indianapolis donated stainless-steel fronts for puppy kennels.
The shelter also expanded medical capacity: Cheyenne said the organization now employs four veterinary technicians and that PawPaws of Clinton County paid "over $50,000" for medical fees last year. The partnership with Purdue’s veterinary program (referred to in the meeting as the "P for P" program) covers spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping and other services at no cost to the shelter.
Shelter leaders provided commissioners with written financial statements showing an influx of about $120,000 in 2024 from two wills, money that paid for building remodels and restricted grants. The board’s representative called the shelter "one of the best run organizations" the presenter had seen and commissioners thanked staff for their work.
The presenters asked only that commissioners accept the report; no formal county funding or new obligations were requested at the meeting. Commissioners and staff praised the shelter’s volunteer and grant partnerships and encouraged continued coordination on bite prevention and medical support.
