Indy group urges community input and action to improve animal welfare

The non-profit organization Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside, or FIDO, is asking for input on a community-wide plan to improve animal welfare in Marion County.

Darcie Kurtz, FIDO's executive director, said there are several ongoing problems impacting animal services and welfare. The plan addresses issues including a need for improved pet care, shelter support and stronger legislation.

“We can’t continue to limp along relying on rescues and volunteers and short, stopgap measures,” Kurtz said. “We’ve just been operating in a crisis mode for many years now.”

Other non-profit animal care organizations have expressed frustration about what some consider a broken animal care system in Indianapolis.

FIDO said residents can respond to a survey that collects information about current goals, including community education and improved leadership.

Kurtz said one major issue is a lack of safe haven for stray and unwanted animals. She said many shelters are always full, which results in stray, sick, and aggressive animals being left on the street.

Another issue facing nonprofits is inadequate access to spay/neuter programs for those taking in stray animals, causing a rise in the amount of new animals being born.

“We’ll see people giving away puppies on a street corner,” Kurtz said.

FIDO began working on its plan at the beginning of this year, in partnership with 12 other local animal welfare organizations. It comes as a new animal shelter is being built and a measure to turn Animal Care Services into its own agency with an additional $1 million in funding is moving through the Indianapolis City-County Council.

Kurtz said that while these initiatives will help, the community can’t wait to take action.

“In order to keep this whole effort elevated in the eyes of our local government, we really need sustained community involvement,” she said.

The collaborative plan supports a five-year goal to reduce the suffering of animals and make the community safer for pets and their owners.