Indianapolis Animal Care Services

SHORTCAKE NEEDS A HERO BY 6/8/26

Shortcake urgently needs a rescue, foster, or adopter.

It's hard to believe that a dog named Shortcake could be stressed but the shelter environment is becoming too much for this sweet girl.

Day after day, the stress of kennel life has continued to build. In her kennel, Shortcake struggles to settle, often barking, pawing at the kennel door, jumping, and showing clear signs that she is overwhelmed by her surroundings. The frustration and anxiety of confinement have also led to challenges during kennel exits, where she may grab or bite at the leash in her excitement to get out.

But once she's free from the kennel, you get to see the real Shortcake.

Outside, she transforms into the affectionate, playful, people-loving dog that staff and volunteers have come to adore. She loves spending time with her humans, soaking up attention, and being part of the fun. Whether she's chasing a ball during a game of fetch, enjoying a long walk, working on a lick mat, or settling in with a Kong, Shortcake is happiest when she's engaged and spending time with people.

Multiple handlers have reported that once outside, she relaxes significantly. She seeks out affection, happily leans into pets, and has even been known to climb right into laps for extra cuddles. After her outings, she returns to her kennel without issue, showing that with the right environment and support, she can settle and succeed.

Shortcake has also shown interest in other dogs during enrichment sessions, often wanting to interact through the fence.

This isn't a bad dog. This is a good dog who is struggling in a stressful environment.

Shortcake deserves the chance to trade kennel walls for a couch, enrichment schedules for family time, and shelter stress for the comfort of a home.

Please share her story, foster, adopt, or help connect her with a rescue. She needs someone willing to look past the kennel and see the loving, fun, affectionate dog waiting underneath.

❤️ Be the hero Shortcake needs.

POST NEEDS A HERO BY 6/8/26

Post urgently needs a rescue, foster, or adopter.

If you walk past Post's kennel, you may see a dog who looks overwhelmed, frustrated, and unable to cope with shelter life. The stress of confinement has taken a significant toll on him. His kennel behavior has become increasingly reactive, and when he's stressed, he may bark, growl, charge the kennel door, or display other signs that clearly show he is struggling in this environment.

But Post is so much more than his kennel.

The dog we see outside of the shelter environment is affectionate, social, playful, and deeply people-oriented. Time and time again, staff, volunteers, and even the person who found him have described a completely different dog once he's out of the kennel and able to relax.

Post has enjoyed walks, park outings, visits to dog-friendly businesses, and spending quality time with people. He loves toys, treats, running around, cuddling, and simply being part of the action. He knows basic cues, is eager to work for treats, and has shown that he can settle in and enjoy himself when given patience, space, and one-on-one attention.

Perhaps most importantly, Post has already shown us that he can live successfully outside the shelter. During a temporary stay in a home, he lived peacefully with other dogs and generally showed little interest in wildlife or other animals. The shelter is simply not bringing out the best in him.

Post doesn't need someone to save a perfect dog. He needs someone willing to look past the stress of shelter life and see the loving, loyal companion underneath.

The shelter environment is causing continued behavioral deterioration, and he urgently needs a place where he can decompress, feel safe, and show the world who he really is.

Please share, foster, adopt, or help connect him with a rescue. His future depends on someone giving him the chance to leave the shelter behind and finally exhale.

❤️ Be the hero Post desperately needs.

KING NINO THE GREAT NEEDS A HERO BY 6/8/26

King Nino the Great needs a rescue, foster, or adopter.

King Nino absolutely lives up to the "Great" part of his name when he's given the chance to relax and simply be himself.

Behind the kennel door is a dog struggling with the stress, noise, and constant activity of shelter life. But outside of that environment, staff repeatedly see a completely different dog—one who is playful, affectionate, intelligent, and eager to connect with people.

King Nino loves squeaky toys, nose work, treat puzzles, and anything that lets him use his busy brain. He's highly food motivated, already knows "sit," and genuinely enjoys learning and engaging with his handlers. He thrives on interaction and seems happiest when he has something fun to do and someone to do it with.

Once he's had an opportunity to burn off some energy and settle into a calmer environment, his softer side quickly emerges. Staff have described him as wiggly, affectionate, eager for attention, and surprisingly easy to handle during one-on-one enrichment time. He enjoys cuddles, seeks out affection, and loves spending quality time with his people.

Unfortunately, shelter life has been incredibly difficult for King Nino. The constant stress and overstimulation have made it hard for him to cope, and many of the behaviors seen in the kennel appear directly tied to that frustration and anxiety. In quieter settings, staff report seeing little to no jumping or mouthing. Instead, they see a dog happily carrying toys around, solving puzzles, exploring, and soaking up affection.

King Nino is looking for someone who understands that active, intelligent dogs need outlets for their energy. He will benefit from structure, enrichment, exercise, and continued training to help him succeed. In return, he offers a playful personality, a sharp mind, and a huge capacity for love.

Dogs like King Nino can be overlooked because shelter stress hides who they truly are. But beneath the intensity is a bright, social dog desperately trying to navigate a situation that has become overwhelming for him.

Please share his story, foster, adopt, or help connect him with a rescue. King Nino doesn't need perfection—he just needs a chance.

❤️ Be the hero King Nino the Great needs.

TED NEEDS A HERO BY 6/8/26

Ted needs a rescue, foster, or adopter.

Every day, we see two very different versions of Ted.

Inside his kennel, shelter life is breaking his spirit. The constant stress has led to repetitive spinning, barking, jumping on the kennel walls and door, panting, and throwing himself against the kennel door. Despite enrichment, walks, and staff efforts to help him cope, Ted continues to deteriorate in the shelter environment.

But step outside that kennel, and you meet the real Ted.

The real Ted greets people with loose, happy body wags and immediately seeks affection. He's social, loving, energetic, and eager to spend time with his people. He enjoys walks, exploring the world around him, playing with toys and tennis balls, getting belly rubs, and soaking up attention from anyone willing to give it. Staff describe him as friendly and outgoing, often greeting everyone he meets with a full-body wag.

Like many dogs experiencing prolonged shelter stress, Ted can become a little mouthy when he's excited or overstimulated, but he responds well to verbal redirection and guidance.

The shelter is simply not the right place for Ted. He needs a home, a foster, or a rescue that can give him the opportunity to decompress and be the happy, affectionate dog we know he is.

Come meet Ted, share his post, contact a rescue, or open your home to foster. One person can change everything for him.

❤️ Be Ted's hero.

*** Rescue Commit!

B.B. is now the only urgent dog who has not yet secured a rescue, foster, or adopter.

To the amazing fosters, rescues, and adopters who stepped up for Hunch, Zeppelin, Alex, and Bub—thank you. Because of you, those dogs have a chance at the life they deserve.

Now it's B.B.'s turn.

B.B. is struggling in the shelter environment and urgently needs a rescue, foster, or adopter. The stress of kennel life is taking a toll on him, and he would greatly benefit from a quieter home where he can decompress and relax.

When staff recently took him out for enrichment, B.B. was calm at his kennel door with no barking or jumping. He walked nicely outside and had a great time enjoying some of his favorite activities—lick mats, wobble kongs, and sniffing around for treats. Food enrichment is truly his happy place!

B.B. can become overstimulated in stressful situations, so he will need continued structure, patience, and redirection as he settles in. He is also a VERY strong chewer, so tough toys are a must. But even when he gets worked up, B.B. has shown that he can settle back down with guidance and support.

He doesn't need a perfect home. He just needs someone willing to give him a chance.

Please come meet B.B. today and be his hero. ❤️

**Alex has rescue commitment.

**Hunch has been adopted but Alex and B.B. still need your help.

B.B, Alex and Hunch are still here. They need out of the shelter TODAY.

Notes from a volunteer who has meet and spent time with them all.

Hunch is such a nice dog and is known to be experienced with other dogs and kids!

BB is a fun and friendly guy who loves toys and treats.

Alex Palou is a gorgeous and smart dog, who has sadly deteriorated since moving to the new shelter. He needs a place where he can feel safe and decompress. He stayed at my house overnight and did well being gated in the basement, was quiet in a crate, and made progress with his fear in the short time he was with me.

Please come meet them all today. We are open from 12-7pm.

💕 Meet Cara 💕

Cara is a 2-year-old female who was found as a stray and is looking for a fresh start. She is not yet spayed and is heartworm negative.

Despite being extremely stressed in the shelter environment, Cara continues to show what a sweet girl she is. She loves affection, enjoys spending time with people, and already knows how to sit. She walks nicely on a harness and is eager to get out and explore.

Cara has shown a strong interest in other dogs, although she has not yet participated in a formal dog meet. Given her stress levels in the shelter, we’d love to see her in a home or rescue environment where her true personality can shine.

Cara deserves the chance to decompress, feel safe, and be loved. If you’re looking for a loyal companion who just needs an opportunity to thrive, come meet Cara today. ❤️