Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a "no-kill" shelter?

YES!

Do we take credit cards?  Checks?

     YES, we take both.

When is HSH closed?

• Closed on Thursdays for animal enrichment (Dog day out, kitten kindergarten, etc.) and staff training.

• Closed on Labor Day, Memorial Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day.

What does HSH do when an animal is reported to us as lost or found?

HSH can make a lost / found report that other agencies have access to.  We put the animal on a 3 day stray hold.

What is a 3 day stray hold?

• We hold all stray animals for 3 days to give the owners lots of time to reclaim their pet.  On 4th day the animal becomes property of the shelter and is available for adoption.  Statistically, more than 95% of pet owners are at the shelter to reclaim their pet long before the end of the hold period.

My cat is missing, what can I do?

Click here for information

Does HSH take wild bunnies, raccoons, squirrels etc.?

• We are not equipped nor trained on handling wildlife.  

• Please contact Humane Indiana Wildlife in Valparaiso at (219) 299-8027.

What should I do if I find a stray dog or puppy near Hobart?

• If you are from Hobart, Lake Station, or New Chicago, please bring them to the Humane Society during our open hours.  

• If after hours, take them to any veterinarian to see if the animal is microchipped.  The microchip will give you owner’s name and contact information.  If the animal is not microchipped, you can bring the stray to our shelter during open hours if it’s from our jurisdiction (Hobart, Lake Station, New Chicago) OR contact your local animal control or shelter.

What should I do if I find a stray animal and they are not near Hobart?

• Call your local non-emergency police number and ask for the local animal control.

• The Humane Society of Hobart can only accept strays from Hobart, Lake Station and New Chicago. 

What should I do if I find a stray cat or kitten in Hobart, Lake Station or New Chicago?

• Bring the cat to Humane Society of Hobart, but you MUST bring an ID with you.

• Feral/wild cats can be trapped by public, brought in to be spayed/neutered, then released back.  You can pick up traps for catching cats at the shelter.

• The younger the cat, the easier it is to change a feral (wild) kitten into tame.  After 9  weeks, kittens are less likely to be tamed.  So the 4-6 week age range for kittens born outside is best.

• If outside of Hobart, Lake Station or New Chicago, please contact your local shelter or animal control.

HSH has no authority to recover animals being abused unless they are strays.  

If you witness suspected cruelty to animals, call your local police as soon as possible or dial 9-1-1. 

If you make a report of alleged animal cruelty, the responding agency (local police) is required to investigate.

If your area lacks the proper animal welfare agency and your local authorities are not equipped to deal with animal cruelty cases, you can also contact The Humane Society of the United States' Animal Rescue Team.

Be sure to document the case as well as you can with dates, times, specific details and, if possible, footage and photographs from a cell phone. All of these things can help appropriate agencies during any investigation they may do of the suspected cruelty.

HSH takes in owned cats and dogs only by appointment and if we have space.  We are only able to take in stray cats and dogs from Hobart, Lake Station and New Chicago.

Our facility can only support the needs of cats and dogs.  We are no longer taking any other types of pets.

How do I get my animal out of HSH if it’s turned in there?

Bring HSH a copy of their current rabies shots and city tags.  

Reclaim fees start at $65, but will vary depending on how long the animal has been at the shelter. 

How can I find a certain breed of dog or cat?

• Call the shelter and ask to be put on a call list for the specific breed.  Shelter number is 219-942-0103 

• Check breed rescue groups.  Click here for Rescue Groups

• You can also check Petfinder.com, AdoptAPet.com, Petango.com

Do you have to live in Hobart or Lake County to adopt from HSH?

No, you can live anywhere, but you must personally come into the shelter to meet the animal and do a meet and greet if you currently have one or more dogs.