A new era is beginning for Indianapolis' animal shelter.

Why it matters: The city's overcrowded shelter will be retired this week as Indianapolis Animal Care Services — and the hundreds of pets in its care — moves into a brand new state-of-the-art facility.

The big picture: The new space is more than double the size of the 24,000-square-foot shelter on Harding Street, which is in a near-constant struggle with overcrowding.

• The more than $30 million project was funded in part by a $20 million bond approved by the city and a $7 million capital campaign from the Friends of Indy Animals.

What they're saying: The shelter was built "very intentionally" with the well-being of animals in mind, said IACS director Amanda Dehoney-Hinkle.

• "We're excited to see how their quality of life improves in this facility," she said.

Zoom in: In the lobby, large paw-shaped lights hang over a bright, open space with a dedicated spot for adopters to take family photos, a retail space and large windows looking out on the city's newest dog park.

• There's a walking trail around the property, which includes a barn, large pasture and pond for the more unusual animals that sometimes come to the shelter — pigs, goats, peacocks, etc.
• Each dog kennel includes two spaces, so dogs don't have to potty in the same area where they sleep. In many of those kennels, the second space is outside, giving the dogs access to fresh air and sunshine.
• Cats, too, have outdoor access with new "catios" connected to the free-roaming rooms, and individual enclosures have separate spaces for litter boxes.

What's next: The new shelter, at 5001 E. Raymond St., opens to the public May 11.

See more photos inside the new shelter

More Hoosiers are becoming what Zillow calls "accidental landlords."

Why it matters: As buyers gain leverage and homes take longer to sell, a growing share of homeowners are renting their properties out instead.

By the numbers: About 2.3% of Indiana rental listings on Zillow in October were previously for sale.

• That matches the national rate of 2.3%, the highest level since 2022, according to the real estate site.

Zoom out: Accidental landlords are most common in softer markets with more price cuts, Zillow found.

• Texas and Florida had 7 of the 10 metros with the highest shares of accidental landlords, while Denver led at 4.9%.
• Shares were lowest in the Northeast and Midwest markets, including Boston (0.6%), New York (0.7%) and Chicago (1.3%).

The fine print: These homes were listed for sale on Zillow for at least two weeks, then delisted and relisted as rentals within three months of coming back on the market.

• The trend typically peaks in the fall because home sales slow around the holidays, per Zillow.

State of play: Charging rent may help homeowners cover their mortgage payments, especially those with low rates.

• But being a landlord isn't easy — and costs can pile up, from repairs to property management fees.

Between the lines: Accidental landlords add homes to the rental pool, which can ease rent prices.

• Single-family rents rose 2.6% in February from a year earlier, the slowest annual growth in Zillow data going back to 2015.

What we're watching: Whether sellers who pulled listings last year have better luck as they try again. Redfin reports that many have relisted.

Tell an accidental landlord

✈️ Spirit Airlines has abruptly gone out of business, affecting about two dozen flights per week from Indianapolis International Airport. (IBJ)

💧 Wastewater from the LEAP district in Lebanon won't be discharged in Eagle Creek Park, after public concerns about the plan to do so. (WTHR)

⛪ Hundreds gathered to hold Mass on the street outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on the westside, calling attention to deportations and detainments. (WFYI)

👋 Arika here!

I first tasted chef Jose Plasencia's Cuban food at an Indianapolis Ballet event last year and have been thinking about it pretty much every day since.

Why it matters: Plasencia's pop-up Átame found a permanent home earlier this year at The Inferno Room, the Fountain Square tiki bar.

What to order: The Cuban Frita — a twist on the classic American cheeseburger.

• A smashburger is topped with a smoky, ketchup-based sauce that makes the whole thing taste like what a sloppy joe wishes it could be. It's finished off with American cheese, onions and shoestring potatoes.
• The Inferno Room offers a meat-free version with Impossible beef. The whole thing is just a ridiculous, delicious mess.

Yes, but: I barely ate any of it because I'd already ruined my dinner with the loaded nachos served on plantain chips — I couldn't stop eating them, even when I knew dinner was on the way.

If you go

A two-hour drive can take you back to a previous century in Hoosier history.

The big picture: The Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands is 8,400 acres of prairies and wetlands, owned and managed by the Indiana chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

• It connects several other nature areas that total over 20,000 acres of dry, mesic and wet sand prairies, sand blows, sedge meadows, wetlands and black oak savannas in Northwest Indiana.
• In 2016, the conservancy brought 23 bison to help manage the prairies.

Flashback: Historically, bison were found across the state and were integral to the region's grasslands.

The latest: A decade after their introduction, the bison herd is more than 100 strong.

If you go: 3294 N. US 41, Morocco, Ind.