Volunteering at Indy PopCon with Pet Friendly Services of Indiana

Yesterday was my first venture into Indy PopCon, a multi‑genre pop culture convention held at the Indiana Convention Center. Now in its 12th year, PopCon is bigger and more vibrant than ever — packed with celebrity panels, cosplay competitions, robot battles, and even a dedicated “PurrCon” for cat lovers.

What Pet Friendly Services Is and Does 🐶🐱

Pet Friendly Services of Indiana is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate the euthanasia of adoptable pets by supporting spay/neuter programs across the state. Their mission is simple but powerful: prevent overpopulation before it starts.

They provide:

• Financial assistance for spay/neuter surgeries, especially for shelters, rescues, and pet owners in need (They supported 16,000 surgeries last year!)

• Free Fix programs to help get community cats and companion pets fixed quickly and affordably.

• Education and outreach to raise awareness about the importance of fixing pets by age five months.

By focusing on prevention, Pet Friendly Services helps reduce shelter intake and gives every dog and cat a better chance at finding a loving home. You can learn more or get involved at petfriendlyservices.org.

Why It Matters

Volunteering at PopCon wasn’t just about sharing the cause, it was about meeting people where they are. When visitors dropped by, many were excited to learn that helping animals could fit into their everyday lives, even at a pop culture event like this. It was a reminder that pet care awareness can and should be everywhere—especially where people gather.

How Can I Help?

Whether you're a lifelong animal lover or just discovering the importance of pet overpopulation prevention, there are plenty of ways to support Pet Friendly Services of Indiana:

• Use Your License Plate: In Indiana, you can choose the “Pet Friendly” license plate, proceeds go directly to funding spay/neuter efforts statewide!

• Donate: Every dollar goes toward spay/neuter surgeries that directly reduce shelter overcrowding. Even small donations make a big difference.

• Volunteer: Just like I did at PopCon, you can volunteer at events, help with outreach, or support behind-the-scenes operations.

• Spread the Word: Share information about spay/neuter and the work Pet Friendly Services does. Conversations save lives.

  
  

  

  
  

Visit petfriendlyservices.org to learn more, get involved, or donate today. Together, we can build a future where every pet has a loving home.

Final Thoughts

It was fun to go to PopCon to see the normal con things, but volunteering gave me a different perspective. Instead of just taking in the fandoms, panels, and cosplay, I got to be part of something meaningful—connecting with people over a cause I care about and seeing how even a pop culture convention can be a place to spark real change for animals in need.