Animal shelter breaks ground on Indy's southeast side

A new animal shelter is in the making for Indianapolis Animal Care Services. IACS and Mayor Joe Hogsett broke ground Monday on the new facility.

“I am thrilled to be with you all to celebrate this big step we take toward improving animal welfare in our community,” Hogsett said in a press release. “It required much collaborative, creative problem solving alongside our community to make this new space a reality.”

The project will more than double the size of its current shelter. Plans include an improved medical clinic and lab space. The current shelter has dealt with animal overcrowding and staffing issues in recent months.

“Well we're certainly going to grow in capacity,” said Abbey Brands, director of the department of business and neighborhood services. “I could build a shelter the size of Lucas Oil and it would be filled within a month because there's just always going to be a need for extra kennels.”

Brands said the larger building will allow for more efficient operations, a better approach to medical care and more humane treatment of the animals.

The new shelter, located at 5001 E. Raymond St., is on the southeast side of Indianapolis, an area with some of the highest stray pick-ups in the county.

The site was the city’s second pick — a previous location at Sherman Park would have required more environmental remediation. 

The city has allocated $20 million toward the facility, and another $7 million comes from the Friends of Indy Animals. Other local organizations including Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Indianapolis Colts have donated funds for the project.

The shelter is expected to be completed by 2026.