Nearly 10,000 unwanted dogs and cats were euthanized in Indianapolis last year. Though IndyHumane does not euthanize for space, an animal’s chance of getting out of the Indianapolis city shelter alive is barely 50 percent.
“God cares about the well-being of animals. They really belong to God and we are expected to pay attention to that and respect it,” says Carol Johnston, an associate professor of theology and culture at Christian Theological Seminary.
According to Johnston, in reference to Scripture, God commanded Adam to tend to the garden and care for the animals. In the New Testament that vocation is restored through the apostle Paul in Corinthians. He speaks about salvation, which includes the word cosmos (meaning “world” in Greek) and the restoration of God, human beings and his creation.
The Animal Welfare Center reports it is impossible to reduce the number of unwanted and abandoned animals in Marion County strictly by adoption. IndyHumane even turns away families in need of food supplies, veterinary care, spay, neuter assistance and safe shelter for animals daily.
On Aug. 16 a new Animal Welfare Center and Vaccination Clinic will open to the public in hopes of assisting pet owners.
“IndyHumane identified in 2010, that many animals were being surrendered to our shelter because owners couldn’t afford basic medical care. The organization’s mission called out for us to reach out to the community and offer a solution and the Low Cost Vaccine Clinic was born,” said Kristen VantWoud, director of operations at the Humane Society of Indianapolis.
The clinic aims to help thousands maintain their pet’s happiness, health and presence in homes.
Christianity is not just about your own happiness, but of those around you as well. The idea that salvation is just about “self” going to heaven is a modern idea, explains Johnston.
“The Bible includes everyone. It is much bigger than just us! We are supposed to live in right relationship with everything. The choice to emphasize the individual soul and ignore the rest of creation is not biblically correct,” Johnston said. “It comes down to sin, which alienates us from God. Then we end up mistreating each other and the rest of God’s creation alike.”
This notion is in progress of being diminished. As the new Animal Welfare Center and Vaccination Clinic will be the first in the nation providing partner group phone lines, a physical address for communications, a presence in the city’s target neighborhoods and legitimacy to their groups including Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO) and Indy Pit Crew.
“Indianapolis Animal Care and Control is overwhelmed by the volume of animals entering their system and is simply unable to respond to all the concerns quickly,” VantWoud said. “One way we are hoping to reduce these complaints is to bring the education literally to the streets.”
Johnston agrees that educating the community is pertinent.
“We have to properly educate people so they can be more conscious of what they are doing,” she said. “God cares for the animals and we are to do the same. It (caring) pleases him.”
The IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center is located at 456 N. Holmes Ave. For more information about the IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center visit indyhumane.org. The Humane Society of Indianapolis is located at 7929 N. Michigan Road. For more information about the Humane Society of Indianapolis call (317) 872-5650 or visit indyhumane.org.
