Indianapolis animal services entering new era
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Plans for the new city animal shelter. Rendering: Courtesy of the City of Indianapolis
Indianapolis Animal Care Services may be getting more than a new shelter — it could become the newest city agency.
Why it matters: The city shelter has struggled with severe overcrowding and staff burnout.
- The shelter is often over capacity and regularly takes in more animals than it adopts out or can place in other rescues.
Driving the news: As part of his 2025 budget proposal, Mayor Joe Hogsett has suggested that the shelter should become its own department, rather than a subdivision of the Business and Neighborhood Services department (BNS).
- Hogsett has also proposed a $1 million increase in the shelter's budget to promote current employees, add more staff and to fully fund a professional kennel cleaning service.
Flashback: The shelter's conditions and policies became a flashpoint during last year's mayoral race after animal welfare advocates sent a letter to Hogsett, the City-County Council and BNS detailing what they described as a "crisis" at the shelter.
- Hogsett's Republican challenger, Jefferson Shreve, said the city was moving too slowly on building the new shelter.
- An investigation from FOX59/CBS4 in 2023 also raised concerns about the treatment of animals in the shelter's care and management of stray animals across Marion County.
The latest: After pulling back from initial plans to build at Sherman Park, the city broke ground on the new shelter in June at 5001 East Raymond St. on the city's southeast side.
- The new facility, which will be more than double the size of IACS' current Harding Street shelter, is expected to open early next year.
What they're saying: The new facility has served as an impetus to look at other ways for the shelter to grow, said BNS director Abbey Brands.
- The shelter has worked with expert consultants on implementing best practices, including the Best Friends program, which works with shelters to become no-kill facilities.
- What they found, she said, is that it doesn't work as a division.
- "This needs to be its own organization," Brands said.
What's next: The council is expected to vote on a final 2025 budget in October.