INDIANAPOLIS -- Pet Friendly Services is Indiana’s only statewide animal welfare organization dedicated to ending the euthanasia of dogs and cats.

Pet Friendly Services is supported by the sales of the "Pet-Friendly" Indiana license plates, The organization is responsible for the spay or neutering of nearly 14,000 cats and dogs annually through spay/neuter initiatives, mobile clinics, voucher programs, and transport services. "Every penny generated through the plate supports programs across Indiana that address the root cause of pet overpopulation."

The organization also maintains a statewide Spay/Neuter Resource Directory, helping pet owners access affordable services even in counties with limited veterinary options

This year, Pet Friendly Services held the first annual Community Choice Awards, a statewide initiative in Indiana recognizing shelters, rescues, and community organizations that save lives, support pet owners, care for community cats, and/or find loving homes for animals in need.

Voting for the awards closed on July 2, and winners were announced on July 7. A total of $30,000 in spay/neuter funding is awarded, with the top three organizations in each category receiving funding to support their missions.

The four categories are:

• Volunteer-Based Rescue of the Year
• Small Shelter of the Year
• Large Shelter of the Year
• Community-Cat / TNVR Group Award

There were several winners from the Michiana area, including the second and third-place winners of the Small Shelter category: the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, and the Fulton County Animal Center.

In the All-Volunteer Rescue category, first place went to New Hope Pet Rescue of Syracuse, and fourth place went to Foster Fur Love of South Bend.

In the Community-Cat category, first place was The Meow Mission, based in South Bend, and second place was Kosciusko Community TNR.

The Meow Mission has been active since 2011, and in a press-release stated that the award money will help them provide additional spay/neuter services, preventing unwanted litters of kittens born outdoors, and reducing the number of cats living outdoors and entering shelters.

Cheri Storms, the Executive Director of Pet Friendly Services had this to say about the first annual awards: “The response to our first Community Choice Awards exceeded every expectation. These organizations inspired thousands of people through their compassion and dedication. This $30,000 in funding will support their vital work.”