P.A.W.S

Bringing home a rescue cat is an exciting moment. You may be imagining purr-filled cuddles, playful zoomies, and a furry companion curled up beside you. While those moments often come, it's important to remember that your new cat is experiencing a huge life change. New home. New people. New smells. New routines. That's a lot for a little cat! If your new family member seems shy or unsure at first, don't worry. That's where the 3-3-3 Rule can help.

For the past year and a half, Barbara Anderson has been a dedicated and valued part of the P.A.W.S. Hancock family, bringing her deep love for animals into everything she does. Inspired simply by that love, Barbara began volunteering and has been making a meaningful difference ever since.

For companion animals, abandonment is far more than losing a home. It is the sudden loss of safety, attachment, routine, and survival itself. Scientific research shows that abandonment and surrender can trigger measurable emotional and physiological stress responses in dogs and cats, often with long-lasting consequences. At the same time, studies also show that rescue organizations, foster care, and stable adoption can dramatically improve recovery and quality of life for the

Kyra is an 8-year-old Great Pyrenees who spent her entire life living in a kennel on an Amish property. She didn’t know soft beds, walks, toys, or what it felt like to be part of a family. Most of her life was spent watching the world from behind a fence. Kyra’s new chapter is finally beginning, and we can’t wait to see her enjoy the life she should have had all along.

Here are the most popular pet naming trends heading into 2026—based on nationwide data from Trupanion—which analyzed over 130,000 pets.

For the past year, Shelby Gibson has been making a difference at P.A.W.S. Hancock, driven by her deep love for dogs. That passion is what first inspired her to get involved—and it continues to shine through in the care and dedication she brings to her role.

When people begin the journey of adopting a pet, one of the most common questions is: why is there an adoption fee? For organizations like P.A.W.S. Hancock, the answer is simple—those fees are essential to saving lives. Shelters and rescues exist to protect, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need. While the goal is always to place pets into loving homes, the work that happens behind the scenes requires significant time, effort, and financial support.

Since 2018, Tricia Corder has been sharing her time and talents with P.A.W.S. Hancock, bringing the personalities of countless animals to life through her photography.

Kitten season is right around the corner—and while it may sound adorable, it’s actually one of the busiest and most critical times of year here at P.A.W.S. Hancock.

Since joining P.A.W.S. Hancock in 2023, Jacob Stephens has been a steady and thoughtful part of the rescue team. What began as a desire for a “productive and healthy outlet” for his free time quickly turned into a meaningful way to give back—because, as he puts it, helping animals is “just about the best thing” he could think of doing.

Teaching kids compassion for animals doesn’t require grand gestures—small, meaningful actions can make a big difference. At P.A.W.S. Hancock, we love seeing young animal lovers get involved, and there are so many safe, age-appropriate ways kids can help animals in need while learning responsibility, empathy, and kindness along the way.

Lacey Petry has been fostering with P.A.W.S. for the past two months, but her love for animals—and especially cats—has been a lifelong passion. After taking in countless stray cats and kittens on her own over the years (about 35 in just the past year!), Lacey decided it would be more impactful to partner with P.A.W.S., a rescue known in the community for its dedication to helping strays.

If you’re considering adopting a dog, you’ve probably heard the phrase “needs a lot of attention.” For some dogs, that description isn’t a warning—it’s simply who they are. Often called “velcro dogs,” these breeds form deep bonds with their people and thrive on human connection. In the right home, they become some of the most loyal and loving companions you’ll ever meet.

There’s a hidden crisis unfolding in towns across Indiana: veterinary care — not just for cows and horses, but for cats, dogs, and the people who love them — is getting harder to find. It’s easy to imagine the impact as a rural problem or a farming problem. The reality is broader and closer to home: companion animals (and the shelters that care for them) are feeling the squeeze in ways that make rescue work harder, costlier, and sadder.

Volunteer Feature: Diana Redman

Volunteer Spotlight: Heather Laudeman

Trap–Neuter–Return (TNR) is one of the most humane and effective ways communities manage outdoor cats, and there’s plenty of research to back that up.

Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Stapleton - Guinea Pig Foster Extraordinaire

In a world where trendy designer dogs often steal the spotlight, a humble, hardworking little breed from Scandinavia has quietly stepped forward to claim its place in the U.S. dog world. Meet the Danish-Swedish Farmdog — a small, intelligent, and charming companion officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. Though new to many American dog lovers, the Danish-Swedish Farmdog is anything but new. This breed has deep roots in rural farm life across Denmark and southern S

If you’ve ever adopted a cat or kitten from P.A.W.S. Hancock, chances are Kelsey Riddle had a hand in their care. As our dedicated co-cat lead and seasoned foster, Kelsey has been an essential part of the P.A.W.S. team for the past two years, bringing both passion and skill to her volunteer work. Kelsey’s love for animals is lifelong. She currently shares her home with a five-year-old chocolate lab named Freya, a two-year-old tabby cat named Everest, and Rainier, a white cat