Indianapolis is experiencing an animal welfare crisis fueled by the unregulated and irresponsible breeding and selling of dogs. Neighbor Chris Roberson, who is a long-term volunteer at Indianapolis Animal Care Services (“IACS,” the city’s public animal shelter), has been working with city councilors and IACS staff and volunteers to draft an ordinance (Proposal 207) aimed at addressing this problem. The proposal, which passed unanimously out of the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee, will go before the full City County Council on August 12, 2024. If passed, it will take effect on January 1, 2025 and will require that:
- All owners of an intact dog (a dog that not spayed or neutered) join a free registry maintained by the shelter, and
- Report all litters to IACS to ensure that basic care and treatment standards are being met.
This ordinance is viewed by many in the animal welfare community as a first step down a long road of strengthening animal welfare ordinances and reducing the overpopulation of dogs that create public health and safety concerns for Indianapolis neighborhoods.
Everyone can do their part by ensuring that their dogs are microchipped, wear an ID tag, and are spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering can reduce the likelihood of dogs trying to escape their home in search of a mate and reducing “accidental” litters. There are several low-cost veterinarian facilities available including FACE on the near eastside.
Chris also asks everyone to please consider supporting IACS in any way possible. The shelter is always in need of more volunteers, people willing to foster animals until they find a forever home, donate supplies like blankets and peanut butter or money to IACS’s charitable partner “Friends of Indy Animals,” or (best of all) adopt your next pet from IACS.