We are a small, volunteer-run rescue and receive far more requests for assistance than we can accommodate. We have created this resource page to help those who we are unable to directly assist. If you need help with an owned or unowned cat, please browse these resources in case they can help you. If you have resources that we can add to this page, please email us at pepperspalscatrescue@gmail.com!
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• Help! I am in Marion County, and there is a cat in danger (injured, ill, in crisis, etc.)

  • Please fill out a form to request urgent assistance from Indianapolis Animal Care Services: ​https://request.indy.gov/citizen/home

  • You can leave us a voicemail at 317-763-2814 just in case we are able to help, but please be advised we are unable to assist with most calls due to limited capacity and volume of requests.

  • Everyone is searching for someone to help - consider being that person! Can you take the animal to the vet and get him or her care?

• I found kittens! What do I do?

  • WAIT! Don't kitnap young kittens unless they truly need help! Their mom is probably around the corner, and their chance of survival drops significantly if taken from their mother. Here is how to know when and when NOT to intervene: https://napahumane.org/found-kittens-know-when-and-when-not-to-help/​

  • Here is a handyguide to estimate a kitten's age: https://www.kittenlady.org/age

  • If the kittens do need help, consider offering to foster them for your local shelter or rescue! Read all about kitten care from newborn to teenager: www.kittenlady.org

• One of my pets is having a medical emergency, but I can't afford to take them to the vet!

  • Contact Anna's Pet Care Fund: https://www.annaspetcarefund.org/​

  • Apply for CareCredit: https://www.carecredit.com/

  • Apply for ScratchPay: https://scratchpay.com/

  • Ask your vet if they allow donations to be called into your account, then fundraise on social media and with friends and family for help

  • As a last resort, contact shelters and rescues for help

  • Scroll down for lower-cost veterinary clinics

• One of my pets needs non-emergency medical care, but I can't afford to take them to the vet!

  • IndyCares partners with some clinics to offer financial aid. Reach out here: https://indycares.org/contact​

  • Apply for CareCredit: https://www.carecredit.com/

  • Apply for ScratchPay: https://scratchpay.com/

  • Scroll down for lower-cost veterinary clinics

• I am in Marion County and need help doing trap-neuter-return for community cats that I feed.

  • Please get on the waitlist for TNR assistance from Indy Neighborhood Cats: https://www.indyneighborhoodcats.org/assistance/

  • Learn how to do TNR: https://www.alleycat.org/resources/how-to-help-community-cats-a-step-by-step-guide-to-trap-neuter-return/

• I am in Hamilton County and need help doing trap-neuter-return for community cats that I feed.

  • ​Please get in contact with Hamilton County Community Cats: https://ccatshc.wixsite.com/website

  • Learn how to do TNR: https://www.alleycat.org/resources/how-to-help-community-cats-a-step-by-step-guide-to-trap-neuter-return/

• I am in Indianapolis and am experiencing homelessness or crisis and need help caring for my pets

  • Try contacting SOAR (Street Outreach Animal Response): https://www.soarinitiative.com/copy-of-report-a-need

• I am experiencing domestic violence and need a temporary foster for my pets

  • Try contacting Beacon of Hope about their foster pet program for survivors:​https://www.beaconofhopeindy.org/about-us.html

• I need help feeding my pets!

  • Try looking into some of these local pet food pantries and programs:

    • ​https://fidoindy.org/pet-food-pantry/​

    • https://www.hsjc.org/services/pet-food-pantry

    • https://www.ambassadorsforgodscreatures.net/mitzy-morsels

    • https://www.nativity-indy.org/the-stable-pet-food-pantry

    • https://crchurch.org/free-pet-food-saturday

    • https://www.indy.gov/activity/assistance-for-owned-pets

    • https://petfriendlyservices.org/info-to-save-lives/pet-food-pantries/

• I need to find low-cost veterinary care!

  • ​https://lowcostspayneuterindiana.org/
  • https://www.allpetsurgerycenter.com/
  • https://faceanimalclinic.org/
  • https://www.michiganstreetvet.com/
  • https://www.facebook.com/petvacclinic/
  • https://indyhumane.org/clinics/
• My cat is having behavioral concerns and I need help addressing them
  • Contact IndyCares for a free animal behavior consult: ​https://indycares.org/contact
  • Tips for introducing cats: https://www.petfinder.com/cats-and-kittens/adoption/new-cat/cat-to-cat-introductions/
  • Single Kitten Syndrome: https://kittencoalition.org/one-is-the-loneliest-number-single-kitten-syndrome-behaviors/
  • Is your cat peeing outside of the litter box?
    • First things first, take your cat to the vet to be checked out for health concerns, such as a UTI, arthritic pain, or underlying illness. If your cat is straining to urinate or hasn't urinated for 24 hours, it may be a life threatening blockage and you should head to the vet immediately​
    • If your cat has been medically cleared, you can try:
      • Is your cat neutered? Tomcats are more likely to urinate inappropriately and spray. First things first, neuter your cat!
      • Add litter boxes; there should be a litter box for each cat in the house, plus one extra
      • Make sure you are thoroughly removing the urine with an enzymatic formula cleaner
      • If they have a favorite spot to urinate outside of the box, try adding a box in that spot
      • Use Feliway Plug-Ins: https://us.feliway.com/​
      • Manage any conflict between your pets that may be causing territorialism and stress: https://www.jacksongalaxy.com/blogs/news/tagged/multi-animal-households
      • Try changing the type of litter box you use and the type of litter; your cat may be picky!
      • Scoop the litter box more often! Your cat may not want to use a dirty box
      • Talk to your vet about trying a mild anxiety medication as a last resort
• I want to keep my cat, but someone in the home is allergic
  • Easy tips to prevent and control your allergy: https://vet.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/allergic%20to%20your%20cat.pdf
  • Try feeding your cat this food to reduce allergens: https://www.purina.com/pro-plan/cats/liveclear-allergen-reducing-cat-food​
• None of these resources helped me, and I need to permanently rehome my pet
  • Did you adopt your pet from a shelter or rescue? Make sure to reach out to them first​
  • Try Adopt A Pet's rehoming portal: https://rehome.adoptapet.com/list-a-pet/step-1 to find your pet a new home

• I need the names of more shelters and rescues to contact for help if none of these resources helped me​

  • ​https://petfriendlyservices.org/adopt/list-of-shelters-rescues/