Mayoral candidates lay out problems -- and solutions -- for Indianapolis’s animal care agency

Indianapolis mayoral candidates are highlighting problems at the city’s animal shelter this week, as well as possible solutions for Indianapolis Animal Care Services.

IACS helps nearly 10,000 animals a year, but has experienced issues around staffing, overcrowding and facility disrepair. Earlier this summer, a group of nearly 100 animal advocates signed onto a letter that alerted city leaders about the problems they said have led to more euthanized animals.

Republican mayoral candidate Jefferson Shreve stood with some of the advocates Tuesday who signed the letter. He said conditions are unacceptable.

“This is no mean city, but that's a mean way to treat the creatures in our care,” Shreve said.

He proposed plans to better help Indianapolis’s homeless animals, including pledging his mayoral salary for efforts. He said he would also work towards a no-kill shelter and provide raises for staff.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also laid out solutions for the struggling agency this week.  He said the number of animals that find a home has risen during his time in office. His proposals include better collaboration with local animal non-profits for adoptions, a study of increased salaries and staffing needs and a commitment to filling a gap in shelter funding.

“Through this comprehensive approach, we’re aiming to address the most acute challenges at the shelter in the short-term, while setting up IACS for sustained success in the years to come,” Hogsett said in a release.

People who signed onto the letter– including volunteers and former employees – have spoken out about a lack of transparency and poor relationships with shelter management. Elaine Thiel is a volunteer and area shelter worker and also signed the letter sent to the city.

"We still have a drastic overpopulation, we need spay and neuter laws, we need backyard breeding laws, we need harsher penalties for people that do harm animals," Thiel said. 

The new shelter is on hold as the city tries to come up with additional funding.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.