Animal Welfare Initiatives

Animal Welfare Initiatives

Committed to the care of dogs and cats

Nina Mason Pulliam loved animals and gave generously during her lifetime to organizations and causes dedicated to protecting them. The Trust continues this legacy through its commitment to the care of dogs and cats.

In 2012, the Trust became a lead funder in animal welfare initiatives in Indianapolis and Phoenix aimed at reducing the number of unwanted dogs and cats in those cities and surrounding communities by increasing spay and neuter surgeries, adoptions and public education on responsible pet ownership. In the first year of the initiatives, the number of animals euthanized at shelters across both cities dropped significantly and continues to decline.

“Vigilance is critical for reducing pet overpopulation and euthanasia. We cannot become complacent – spay/neuter must remain a priority. We’re grateful to our dedicated partner organizations in Indiana and Arizona, which are improving the welfare of our communities’ companion animals.”

Lisa Shover Kackley, trustee, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust

Impact in Indianapolis

Focused collaboration for more than a decade among Indianapolis’ leading animal welfare organizations has substantially improved the plight of pets in Marion County, reducing euthanasia rates of cats and dogs by as much as 85% and increasing pet adoptions by nearly 30%.

In Indianapolis, the Trust collaborates with FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic, Indianapolis Animal Care Services, IndyHumane, Indy Neighborhood Cats, Friends of Indy Animals, FIDO and Southside Animal Shelter Indianapolis.

Accomplishments achieving major gains for Indianapolis’ pet companions are:

  • Opening new animal welfare facilities in underserved neighborhoods.
  • Improving the city’s animal care and treatment ordinances.
  • Creating a community trap-neuter-return program for feral cats to reduce unwanted litters.
  • Expanding Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine “Priority 4 Paws” program into Marion County, increasing the number of vet students participating in shelter medicine programs and enabling them to gain experience in conducting high-volume spay and neuter surgeries.
  • Providing capital support to build a new city animal shelter.
  • Preventing more than 1,000 animals annually from entering city shelter through the Indy Companion Animal Resources, Education and Support Program (Indy CARES).

Since 2012, the Trust has invested more than $15 million in animal welfare in Indiana.

Progress in Phoenix

In 2012, the Trust partnered with animal welfare organizations in the Phoenix metropolitan area to establish a collaborative initiative, Fix.Adopt.Save. The goal was to work together to reduce the number of unwanted dogs and cats by increasing spay and neuter surgeries, adoptions, and public education about responsible pet ownership. With large investments from the Trust, seven animal welfare groups formed the Alliance for Companion Animals to oversee the Fix.Adopt.Save. program. From 2012 to 2023, the euthanasia rate in Maricopa County dropped 83% and dog and cat intake in area shelters dropped 55%.

In 2026, the Trust continues to invest in the well-being of companion animals, including the development and expansion of a community voucher program, Project SNiTS, by Altered Tails. These programs and the following strategies are improving the plight of Arizona’s dogs and cats:

  • Raising public awareness and developing partnerships to increase spay and neuter services, wellness access, adoptions, foster care and responsible pet ownership in Maricopa County.
  • Coordinating spay and neuter and vaccination events, including community-wide spay and neuter weekends and periodic mobile clinics targeting Valley neighborhoods with reduced access to veterinary services.
  • Subsidizing medical costs for dogs and cats at risk of euthanasia in local shelters.

Trust animal welfare partners include: Altered Tails Barnhart Clinic, Animal Defense League of Arizona, Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA, Arizona Humane Society, HALO Animal Rescue, Lost Our Home, Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and PACC911.

Since 2012, the Trust has invested more than $15 million in animal welfare in Arizona.