Located in Portland, Indiana, the Midwest Pet Refuge shelters more than 100 pets that are available for adoption. Most of the animals there were rescued as strays, and await their forever home. In addition to providing shelter and food to 135 animals, the refuge also features a bookstore and shop to attract visitors. Video by Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden

Located in Portland, Indiana, the Midwest Pet Refuge shelters more than 100 pets that are available for adoption. Most of the animals there were rescued as strays, and await their forever home. In addition to providing shelter and food to 135 animals, the refuge also features a bookstore and shop to attract visitors. Photos by Grace Duerksen and Rylan Capper

Ashtynn Stultz looks at cats with his mother, Kyrstin April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. In addition to providing shelter and food to 135 animals, the refuge also features a bookstore and shop to attract visitors. Rylan Capper

A cat sits perched among stacks of books, waiting for attention from the next visitor April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge. The refuge was founded in 2013 and moved into its current building, a former chuch, in 2021. Rylan Capper

An orange tabby cat sits above a sunny window at the Midwest Pet Refuge April 9. The group holds over 100 cats in the building, which was formerly a church and day-care center.

Mary Adair cleans a litter box April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. Adair volunteers at the refuge every Saturday. Rylan Capper

Buckets of cat litter sit stacked against a wall April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. Rylan Capper

Peeking out from behind his own body, an orange tabby cat climbs on top of a cage that holds several other cats April 9. All cats from the Midwest Pet Refuge center are adoptable and most of them used to be strays.

A cat looks on as Tara Drumm scoops a litter box at Midwest Pet Refuge April 9, 2022 in Portland, Ind. Drumm owns and operates the refuge with entirely volunteer help. Rylan Capper

Sticking her paw out in hopes of catching a passerby’s eye is a young cat at the Midwest Pet Refuge April 9. While most of the cats in the building roam freely in different rooms, some cats are held in quarantine due to parasites such as ringworm.

An older feline resident of the Midwest Pet Refuge Center sits atop stacked chairs in the supplies room April 9. Attached to the refuge is a bookstore called Cat Tales where some of the group’s cats roam in their free time.

Mary Adair refills a litterbox at Midwest Pet Refuge April 9, 2022 in Portland, Ind. Volunteer staff clean litterboxes and replace food and water every day at the refuge. Rylan Capper

Tara Drumm refills food bowls April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. The refuge invites visitors in with a bookstore and shop complete with roaming cats. Rylan Capper

Tara Drumm pets a cat as she refills food and water bowls April 9, 2022 at Midwest Pet Refuge in Portland, Ind. The refuge adopts out about 25 animals every month. Rylan Capper

Molly Stults request the attention of a black cat at Midwest Pet Refuge April 9, 2022 in Portland, Ind. The refuge adopted out 250 cats in 2021. Rylan Capper

Habitat for Humanity utilizes the help of two Ball State groups in order to do some demolition work to a house that has yet to become a home. The house, which was originally built in the 1920s, requires significant remodeling to be up to standard with the modern era. Photos by Nathan Abbott and Madison Del Valle

The home on 1403 West 10th Street in Muncie Indiana awaits the team behind Habitat for Humanity to arrive in full on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Barb Arthur prepares the Ball state student volunteers for what will be expected of them for the day in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Ball State student, Lizzie Amendola, demolishing a whole wall for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

A close up of Ball State student, Lizzie Amendola, prying off the planks on the demolished wall for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student,Jaylan Gordan-White, hammering out planks in the upstairs bedroom of the home for Habitat for Humaity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student, Ethan Ayres, carrying out a bucket of rubble and debri from the upstairs demolished walls for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student, Katelin Holaday, sweets up the debris from the demolished walls for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State student (anonymous) carrying up 5 gallon buckets to the second level of the house for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ball State students, Charlie Dice and Jack Pedersen, eat lunch after a productive morning of tearing down walls for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ethan Ayres poses for a portrait after a hard and filthy day’s work at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022.

members of Ball State’s Alpha Tau Omega fraternity demolish the second floor ceiling of the future Habitat home in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Kylie Norton from Ball State’s Epsilon Sigma Alpha Philanthropic pries out exposed nails from wooden beams at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Ball State student, Alli McCrady sledgehammering a wall under the staircase for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday Aril 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Ethan Ayres helps a fellow ATO to dismantle one of the chimneys at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

A member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha cleans up debris near the end of the day in a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Last minute demolition occurs on the stairs as the Habitat team wraps up for the end of the day at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9,2022. (Nathan Abbott)

A member of Ball State’s Alpha Tau Omega fraternity disposes of waste material at a Habitat house in Muncie, Indiana on April 9, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Ball State student, Ethan Ayres, spends his morning demolishing the walls of a house for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday April 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

Photos being taken of the group of Ball State University students who volunteered to demolish a home for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday April 9th in Muncie IN. Madison Del Valle

This afternoon Red-Tail Land Conservancy led a group of volunteers throughout Munsee Woods Nature Preserve. The group was taught about land conservation and how important seemingly small things are to our ecosystem. The volunteers scattered wood debris throughout the nature preserve to help promote healthy growth. Photos by Alex Lakes and Dr. Martin Smith-Rodden

Red-Tail Land Conservancy employee Jake Gamble teaching volunteers about Indiana wetlands and how to assist in their growth. Red-Tail Land Conservancy brought a group of volunteers through Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

Red-Tail Land Conservancy Volunteer Brian Wolfe cleaning up some debris in Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

Student volunteers from Ball State University housing spent their afternoon doing clean-up and structure removal at the the Munsee Woods nature preserve on Saturday, April 9, 2022. According to the Red Tail Conservancy, the land there is undergoing restoration practices including the planting of hundreds of trees, ephemeral wetland preservation and culling of invasive plants. In addition to the volunteer labor, staff from the Red-tail Land Conservancy brought the volunteers on a walk through the nature preserve and pointed out unique features of the 47 acre preserve and the reforestation project there. (Martin Smith-Rodden)

A Red-Tail Land Conservancy volunteer helping scatter wood and debris throughout Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

Red-Tail Land Conservancy’s Jake Gamble helping and instructing volunteers to scatter wood and debris throughout Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

A group of Red-Tail Land Conservancy volunteers helping scatter wood and debris throughout Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

Red-Tail Land Conservancy’s Jake Gamble showing volunteers different wild plants that grow throughout Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

A Red-Tail Land Conservancy volunteer relocating a large piece of wood in Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

Red-Tail Land Conservancy volunteer Brain Wolfe helping scatter wood and debris throughout Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

A group of Red-Tail Land Conservancy volunteers helping scatter wood and debris throughout Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

Red-Tail Land Conservancy’s Jake Gamble teaching about the various plants that grow throughout Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

Red-Tail Land Conservancy volunteer Brian Wolfe experiencing the unique spicy smell from this plant in Munsee Woods in Muncie, IN, on April 9th, 2022. (JOUR 437 / Alex Lakes)

The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse is located on the edge of Ball State’s campus and is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. There are many events that typically happen at the greenhouse. Photos by Anna Sego and Grace Duerksen

A student worker for the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, Cass, talks to visitors about the species of frog that lives in the greenhouse April 9. The campus greenhouse also has aquatic turtles, koi fish and moth larvae.

The leaf of a plant with a white spiral in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A heart-shaped flower in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

John and Donna Baggio, parents of a Ball State student, attempt to name the many orchid species at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse April 9. The couple came all the way from Tinley Park, Illinois.

A plant inside the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A walkway with plants hanging on the side of the walls in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A volunteer cleans an Orchid with a q-tip at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A small turtle is perched on a rock looking into the distance in the pond at Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A clay book surrounded by plants on a table in the back of the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

Many small yellow flowers hang down from a hanging pottter in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A moss covered hanging basket hangs along the side of the windows in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

A white and purple-spotted Orchid at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

Erica Forstater, employee at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, discusses different species of orchids with visitors Donna and John Baggio April 9. The greenhouse offered self-guided tours, puzzles and animal-themed games for their event.

An orange Lily in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse in Muncie, IN on April 9, 2022. Anna Sego, J437.

Muncie Animal Care and Services provides a safe place for homeless cats and dogs. MACS is a No-Kill shelter located on W Riggins Rd., in Muncie, Indiana. Photos by Kyle Atkisson and Victoria Johnson

Mason Campbell lets Parker outside to go for a walk and go to the bathroom in front of the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. Parker is very friendly and has been at thir for a few weeks now. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Linguine sits in her play place at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Smokey Jane a 5 month old cat at the Humane Society sits down on a play table in the Kitty City in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

The Kitty City at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. Customers can sit in the Kitty City with all the cats and any other cat they want to play with outside of their cage. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Mason Campbell gets Remi out of his cage to go meet a couple willing to adopt at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. Remi is 10 months old and has been at the Humane Society most of his life. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Chad and Carla Kingsley start their sit down with Remi at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th,2022. Remi is 10 months old and was very excited to see Chad and Carla. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

David Franklin pets Angela at the Humane Society in Muncie, Indiana on April 9th, 2022. David has worked for the Humane Society for a few years now, and Angela is 3 years old and has become very friendly throughout her time their. (Kyle Atkisson/SFGMuncie)

Kitten stretches after waking up from a nap to greet visitors at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana. Only three adoptable kittens share this playroom.

Tabby cat, Lilo, lounges in a cat tree at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. Lilo is a young, medium-sized, female cat.

Ponyo, a young, female cat, looks at the camera for attention at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022.

Sick animals are taken to the clinic space for recovery and rehibilitaion at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. This space is also used to spay and neuter cats and dogs before they are placed up for adoption.

Four cats relax in a cat tree in the Cat “city” at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022.

Quarantined canine peaks his head out to see the staff and visitors on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana. Dogs that require quarantine and isolation due to illness or behavioral issues are assigned their own rooms until they can rejoin their canine friends and get put up adoption.

Labrador Retriever and Dachshund mix, Buster, cuddles with Muncie Animal Care and Services assistant director, Kathryn Wolfe before taking a group photograph with other employees on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana.

Male Terrier Mix, Patrick, excitedly greets staff members and visitors before going outside on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana. Patrick has to be leashed and supervised when taken to the bathroom because he has a history of jumping fences.

Two cats play fight together while Delaware County residents look to adopt at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 in Muncie, Indiana.

A nursing mother cat cuddles with her two five week old kittens at the Muncie Animal Care and Services facility in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. Pregnant and nursing mothers and kittens are kept separate from the rest of the felines until the kittens are able to be away from their mothers and all be place up for adoption.

The Animal Rescue Fund (ARF), located on W Riggin Road in Muncie, IN, provides shelter, medical care, and love to abandoned and neglected animals until permanent homes can be found. Visit http://www.munciearf.com to learn more about ARF and where you can donate or sign up for volunteering and fostering for them. Photos by Madelyn Guinn

The Catty Shack building at ARF on W Riggin Road in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The Catty Shack stands out as the single yellow building at ARF, and it can house up to 50 cats. (Madelyn Guinn).

ARF’s Catty Shack manager, Jenny Burkett, gives the monthly flea treatment to Esme the cat in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Esme is only required to be in the cage for now to recoover from just returning to the shelter earlier this week after have been gone and missing for the past year. (Madelyn Guinn).

Trace the one-eyed cat perches from the top of a cat tree in one of the cat rooms at Animal Rescue Fund’s Catty Shack in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Madelyn Guinn).

ARF’s adoption and foster coordinator, Melissa Sorrell, prepares plates of wet food as lunch for the cats at ARF’s Catty Shack in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. (Madelyn Guinn).

Brett the 17-year-old, orange tabby cat poses for a quick picture at the Animal Rescue Fund in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Brett is not only the oldest cat who lives at ARF’s Catty Shack, but he has also been living there for around 15 years of his life, making him the cat who has lived there the longest. (Madelyn Guinn).

The Animal Rescue Fund’s Catty Shack manager, Jenny Burkett, takes a quick break to give Jasper the black cat a scratch on the chin as she fills out paperwork for ARF on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Muncie, IN. (Madelyn Guinn).

Melissa Sorrell, the adoption and foster coordinator at the Animal Rescue Fund, feeds a cat named Banjo wet cat food for lunch on Saturday, April 9, 2022 in Muncie, IN. (Madelyn Guinn).

Jeff’s House sits towards the back of the Animal Rescue Fund property on W Riggin Road in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Jeff’s House was specifically designed to be a home for dogs with varying medical or behavioral needs that require special care and attention. (Madelyn Guinn).

Lassie, the seven-year-old chihuahua, stands quietly near the gate of her kennel at Jeff’s House in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Lassie is a sweet and timid, llittle 10-pound girl who is up for adoption at the Animal Rescue Fund. She is looking for a family who is home often to spend time with her, but is also patient enough to wait for her to feel completely comfortable in her new home. (Madelyn Guinn).

Giselle Brey, the kennel technician at the Animal Rescue Fund’s Jeff’s House, holds the office dog in her lap on Saturday, April 9, 2022 in Muncie, IN. (Madelyn Guinn).

Two short-hair chihuahuas, Berlin (left) and London (right), stand against the gate of their kennel at Jeff’s House in Muncie, IN on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Berlin is six months old while London is four months old, and they were both surrendered together to the Animal Rescue Fund by their previous owners. They are ready to be adopted as soon as possible by new owners who are willing to take them both home together. (Madelyn Guinn).

The Muncie Mission hosts lunches for feeding those in need from Monday to Friday. This Friday’s meal was hotdogs and cheese fries. Photos by Katie Catterall and Nathan Abbott

A man scoops food into a container at the Muncie Mission, Friday, April 8, 2022 in Muncie, Ind. Those at the Muncie Mission requested to remain anonymous.

People wait in line for food at the Muncie Mission for meals, Friday, April 8, 2022 in Muncie, Ind. Those at the Muncie Mission requested to remain anonymous.

A woman takes a meal handed to her at the Muncie Mission, Friday, April 8, 2022 in Muncie, Ind.

People at the Muncie Mission share a conversation, Friday, April 8, 2023 in Muncie, Ind. Those at the Muncie Mission requested to remain anonymous.

Heather Purvis poses with her scooter behind the Muncie Mission in Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2022. Purvis drove to Muncie from Marion Indiana. The trip is roughly a 45-60 minute drive to grab food and see her friends at the Muncie Mission. It is a trip that she said, “was worth it.” (Nathan Abbott)

Lunch is given to a man waiting in line at the Muncie Mission in Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

eather Purvis smiles through the reflection of one of her scooters rear view mirrors in Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2022. Purvis is happy with her scooter (besides the parking stand) which she named Paige, after her daughter. (Nathan Abbott)

Heather Purvis embrases a Muncie Mission volunteer that she is close with in Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2022. Purvis said that the volunteer, who is to remain anonymous, always knows how to make her smile. (Nathan Abbott)

Heather Purvis waits as her meal is packaged by a Muncie Mission volunteer in Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2022. With the exception of Purvis, who released her name, it was requested that the names of the volunteers and patrons to be omitted, so as to remain anonymous. (Nathan Abbott)

A visitor to the Muncie Mission returns to her car with bags of food as others wait for their meal in Muncie, Indiana on April 8, 2022. (Nathan Abbott)

Morning Star Church in Muncie gives out bags of food to members of the community in need on April 9, 2022. Two of the pastors and a senior congregation member put together the sacks of food to give to those who come by to pick up food for families. They have their food pantry drive-thru every Saturday. Photos by Anna Sego.

Senior congregation member, Ronnie Harty, of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN puts canned goods in a plastic sack in preparation for those in the community on Saturday April 9, 2022. There are two cans of vegetables, one can of fruits, and one jar of peanut butter in every sack. Anna Sego, J437

Pastor Simon Maina Mungai of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN is handed premade salads to give to a community member on Saturday April 9, 2022. The salads are one of many food items that the church has to give out to their community. Anna Sego, J437

Senior congregation member, Ronnie Harty, of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN carries a handful of premade sack lunches to put in bags to give out to community members on Saturday April 9, 2022. There are three Nature Valley bars, an apple, and a sandwich in each paper sack. Anna Sego, J437

Pastor Gladys M. Maina of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN restocks the fridge with more premade salads for the community on April 9, 2022. At least one salad is given for every member for everyone in each household that comes by to recieve food. Anna Sego, J437

Pastor Simon Maina Mungai of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN hands senior congregation member, Ronnie Harty, two sacks of food to take out to two families in the truck waiting outside the door on Saturday April 9, 2022. There has been some ground beef added to these bags as they are handed out to community members. Anna Sego, J437

Pastor Simon Maina Mungai of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN brings out boxes of cereal to give to families with children on Saturday April 9, 2022. Not every household has children, but hose that do, are given boxes of cereal to ensure the children have some breakfast to eat everyday. Anna Sego, J437

Pastor Simon Maina Mungai of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN places a premade salad to give to a community member on Saturday April 9, 2022. The salads are one of many food items that the church has to give out to their community. Anna Sego, J437

Pastor Simon Maina Mungai of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN hands a sack of food items to the lady in the car on Saturday April 9, 2022. Some people that come by pick up food for other families, not just their own. This car was picking up for two families. Anna Sego, J437

Senior congregation member, Ronnie Harty, of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN places boxes of Frosted Flakes in a woman’s basket on Saturday April 9, 2022. This woman was picking up for her family of 10, so the church wanted to ensure she had enough food for everyone. Anna Sego, J437

Pastor Gladys M. Maina of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN brings out loaves of bread on April 9, 2022. This food pickup was the last of the day, so more food was given to the woman picking up for 10 people. Anna Sego, J437

Lydia Mungai, the daughter-in-law to the pastors of Morming Star Church in Muncie, IN, brings out premade salads for the woman picking up for a family of 10 on April 9, 2022. There are many mouths to feed for this household, so plenty of food is given to make sure no one goes without food. Anna Sego, J437.

Pastor Gladys M. Maina (left), Pastor Simon Maina Mungai (middle), and senior congregation member Ronnie Harty (right), of Morning Star Church in Muncie, IN, pose for a picture at the end of the food pantry drive-thru on April, 9, 2022. They all came in the day before and prepared all the sandwiches and sack lunches to give out to comminity members. Anna Sego, J437.