June 8, 2026
By: Rhiannon Johns, Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
When Pet Friendly Services of Indiana launched its new statewide Spay/Neuter Resource Directory earlier this year, our goal was simple: make it easier for pet owners to find affordable help before unwanted litters happen.
The directory goes beyond listing low-cost clinics. It also includes financial assistance programs, transport programs, mobile clinics, and other local resources that can help remove barriers to spay/neuter access. For many pet owners, this additional support can make all the difference.
So how do you actually build it?
- Start With What You Know
In Indiana’s case, Pet Friendly Services already maintained a network of veterinarians participating in our spay/neuter assistance programs, including low-cost clinics and mobile clinics. This became the foundation of the directory.
From there, we researched additional programs throughout the state, including local financial assistance programs, and transport services to low-cost clinics.
- Crowd-Source What You Don’t Know
Before publicly launching the directory, we asked the animal welfare community to fill in the gaps. We shared our information with Indiana rescue groups, shelters, and advocates through newsletters and Facebook groups, asking for feedback and additional resources.
That “soft launch” led to new submissions, corrections, and programs we may not have discovered otherwise.
After the public launch, even more organizations and local resources surfaced.
- Design It to Be User Friendly
A directory only works if people can actually use it easily. We designed Indiana’s directory to be searchable by both county and type of resource, so users can quickly navigate to help that fits their needs.
We also included a county map. Many pet owners know the county they live in, but not necessarily the neighboring counties where additional resources may exist. Making the directory intuitive and easy to navigate helps connect more people with care faster.
- Make Updating Easy
A directory is only useful if it stays current. Our directory was designed to pull information directly from a simple spreadsheet. Updates can be made quickly without technical expertise, making it far easier to keep information accurate and relevant over time. A successful directory needs to be flexible and continuously updated.
- Don’t Forget to Publicize It
A resource directory only helps people if they know it exists. When we launched our statewide directory, we supported it with press releases, social media promotion, newsletters, and outreach to partner organizations. The response was incredibly encouraging, generating strong website traffic, social media engagement, and community sharing.
If you build a directory, plan ahead for how you’ll announce it and continue promoting it over time. Animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics, shelters, rescues, and local media can all help spread the word. The more visible the resource becomes, the more pets and families it can help.
Why These Directories Matter
Accessible spay/neuter directories help connect pet owners with services before animals end up in shelters. Prevention remains the most humane, effective, and cost-efficient solution to the overpopulation crisis.
Indiana’s experience shows that creating a statewide resource directory does not require a massive budget or complicated technology. What matters most is building something accessible, easy to maintain, and rooted in collaboration with the community it serves.
Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is also happy to share lessons learned with other organizations interested in building similar directories in their own states or communities. If you have questions about our process, outreach strategy, or setup, feel free to contact Rhiannon Johns at Rhi@PetFriendlyServices.org
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About Pet Friendly Services of Indiana
Pet Friendly Services is Indiana’s only statewide animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the euthanasia of dogs and cats. Through our innovative spay/neuter programs that fix nearly 14,000 cats and dogs per year, we tackle pet overpopulation at the source — saving lives and reducing suffering. Support our mission by driving with a Pet Friendly specialty license plate, and join a movement that makes a difference for animals in need! www.PetFriendlyServices.org