The Allen County SPCA and H.O.P.E. for Animals announced today that their organizations have been re-named collectively Humane Fort Wayne.
On January 1, 2021, the two organizations legally merged to become a single, nonprofit entity. To solidify the merger and establish a true joint identity, a team of staff and board leadership, community stakeholders and marketing professionals was chosen to evaluate and select a new name for the organization, and in the end chose Humane Fort Wayne, formally the Humane Society of Greater Fort Wayne.
“It’s a brand new day for animal welfare in Allen County and beyond,” said Executive Director, Jessica Henry. “Not only will our name change reduce confusion between us and others with a similar acronym, but, more importantly, it heralds a true union between our organizations and signals to our entire community that we are so much more than just pet adoption. We believe we are the future of animal welfare in northeast Indiana, and our new name – ‘Humane Fort Wayne’ – is symbolic of our new mission – all of us, working together for the good of animals and humans.”
While the name and look of Humane Fort Wayne is new, all of the programs that have been available for pets (and pet lovers) including adoption, pet retention assistance, low cost spay/neuter, veterinary wellness services and more will continue to be offered.
Additionally, Humane Fort Wayne will continue to operate out of two locations – the shelter (formerly Allen County SPCA), located at 4914 S. Hanna Street, and the clinic (formerly H.O.P.E. for Animals) located at 1333 Maycrest Drive.
Humane Fort Wayne is the city’s only 100% donor-funded, nonprofit animal shelter and low-cost clinic.
Jessica Henry said, “As our city’s oldest animal shelter, combined with our progressive low-cost clinic options and social programs for disadvantaged pets, we look forward to serving this community for decades to come.”
Frequently Asked Questions
With a tremendous amount of overlap in our missions, values, and strategic plans, and very little overlap in our programs and services, we determined that we are able to have an even more positive impact on pets and their owners by joining forces operationally and becoming a single organization. On January 1, 2021 we officially merged as a single, nonprofit entity.
To celebrate the merger of two organizations into one, new animal welfare institution, we adopted a new name and brand through a rigorous strategic process, including a team of staff and board members from each organization as well as key community members.
Nothing. The new organization will continue to offer all of the same services and programs offered before, in the same locations as before. Both locations will offer education and outreach programs and volunteer opportunities. The Clinic (1333 Maycrest Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46805) offers Low-cost spay and neuter surgeries, Low-cost Wellness Clinic services, and the Community Cat program. The Shelter (4914 S. Hanna Street, Fort Wayne, IN 4680) offers a Comprehensive pet adoption program, Pet Retention and Pet Surrender programs, Emergency and In-Home Service Pet Assistance programs, and the Working Cat program.