Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) is asking the public to help with overcrowding at the shelter by adopting or fostering animals ahead of the winter weather.
IACS anticipates an increase in weather-related animal pick-ups, adding to over-capacity the shelters are facing. Between Nov. 24 and Nov. 30, IACS took in over 70 dogs. From the same period, only 56 were adopted or reclaimed.
“We are already beyond our capacity for dogs,” said Kelly Diamond, deputy director of IACS. “As we face more intakes, we are turning to the community for support — whether it’s fostering, adopting or helping reunite lost pets with their families. Every bit of help counts.”
IACS has advised the public on a few ways they can support, including:
- Fostering an animal: Temporarily opening your home to an animal can provide relief for the shelter. Every crate available makes room for winter rescues.
- Adopting a pet: Currently, there are 150 dogs and 28 cats looking for a home. IACS urges people to consider adopting a dog or cat if able to commit to having a pet.
- Help reunite pets with owners: Before bringing a stray to the shelter, try to locate its owner. Most lost pets tend to wander around their home, so posting a photo and information online on where you found the pet may locate its owner.
IACS would also like to remind the public that it is against city-council ordinance to leave animals outside during frigid conditions (at or below 20 degrees or a wind chill advisory has been issued). Owners could face fines or criminal charges if they fail to comply.
Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside partnered with IACS during extreme weather to provide resources to owners of outside dogs. They provide outfitted doghouses for outside and training crates so people can bring dogs inside when the weather turns cold.
Indy Neighborhood Cats also partnered with IACS to provide straw and additional items to insulate housing for outdoor cats. Indy Neighborhood Cats offers a Winter Survival Guide for Community Cats, which includes tips on how to care for outdoor cats during cold weather.
If a resident is concerned about the safety of an animal, IACS urges calling the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622 during business hours.
For more information about IACS visit indy.org/acs.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
To read more health stories, click here.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
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