Indiana Ranked Among Best States For Animals

Indiana Ranks 15th in SmileHub's Best States for Animals 2026

If you're an animal lover living in Indiana, you should feel pretty good about this news: the Hoosier State is holding its own when it comes to how well it treats its furry, feathered, and four-legged residents. According to a new study from SmileHub, Indiana ranked 15th overall in the Best States for Animals 2026 – putting us comfortably in the top third of all 50 states.

To figure out which states are stepping up and which ones still have work to do, SmileHub analyzed all 50 states across 18 key metrics. The researchers looked at everything from the number of animal charities per capita to the availability of state conservation programs, to the share of no-kill animal shelters in each state. The result is a detailed, data-driven snapshot of animal welfare across America.

How Indiana Stacked Up

Indiana's 15th-place overall finish reflects a state that's doing a lot of things right – but with room to grow in a few key areas. Here's a closer look at how Indiana performed across the study's three main categories:

Pet Ownership – 7th Best in the Nation

This is Indiana's standout stat. Coming in at 7th for pet ownership is a strong indicator that Hoosiers don't just love their animals – they're actively taking care of them. This ranking likely reflects high rates of pet adoption and ownership, along with the resources and commitment that come with it.

Animal Wellness – 19th

Indiana's 19th-place finish in animal wellness suggests that veterinary access, pet health resources, and overall animal care are reasonably solid across the state. There's still room to climb, but this ranking shows Indiana is well above the national midpoint.

Animal Protection – 26th

This is where Indiana has the most opportunity for improvement. Landing at 26th in animal protection – which covers things like no-kill shelter rates, animal cruelty laws, and conservation initiatives – means the state is hovering right around average. Strengthening these protections could help Indiana crack the top 10 overall in future rankings.

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If you’re an animal lover, I think it’s worth a few minutes of your time to take a look at the full report.

LOOK: Here are the pets banned in each state

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well as across the nation.

Gallery Credit: Elena Kadvany

Tip to Protect Pets from Summer Heat

With heat advisories in effect for a large portion of the country, now is the time to ensure you are prepared to keep your pets safe from the summer heat.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals