Connecting People
with Rescued Animals
.png)
.png)
The Vision
Grateful Rescue and Sanctuary, opened in Muncie in 2017, has found homes for hundreds of dogs of all types.
And now, it is embarking on its exciting new Pit Stop project, to rescue dogs from Indianapolis Animal Care Services who are at risk for euthanasia.
The Pit Stop’s mission is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the rehoming of at-risk dogs from IACS and other shelters.
The Pit Stop name is especially appropriate, because Grateful Rescue has long worked hand-in-hand with Indy 500 racing royalty, counting Norma Unser and Debi Rahal among its Board members.
The Reality
There are times Grateful Rescue has been unable to accommodate a deadline dog from IACS, because of space constraints. By using the Pit Stop kennels in tandem with an army of volunteers and foster homes, Grateful Rescue will find the right home for each animal and save more lives.
Pamela Terhune and Mike Carson, the founders of the 501(c)(3) organization, have a strong history of successfully matching dogs with fosters and adopters and will leverage their experience and reputation to find loving homes for these IACS recruits.
The Need
In April 2026, Indianapolis Animal Care Services moved to a new building. The new, state-of-the-art facility was a vast improvement over the old shelter.
Within a month, the shelter was filled to capacity. Despite all the advantages of the new facility – with its 90% live release rate -- the problem of overcrowding remains. Too many animals, especially pit bulls, die simply because they take up space.
Grateful Rescue seeks to join other Central Indiana organizations and provide a rescue optionfor these dogs.
The Why
No shelter in Indiana cares for more animals than IACS. No other shelter in Indianapolis takes in all animals regardless of breed, health or temperament.
In addition to rescuing countless animals locally, Grateful has also taken in numerous dogs from IACS to help ease the overcrowding crisis.
The Ask
Grateful Rescue knows all too well that rescuing dogs from the threat of euthanasia is only the first step. They may require significant veterinary care, time to decompress in a calm environment, and behavioral training.
The Pit Stop will be much more than buildings. It will be a place that allows
the loving, playful, trusting personalities of these dogs to emerge, enhancing
their potential for successful adoption.
Together, we can do this. Your support will make this happen.