Goals
ANIMAL WELFARE: The Indianapolis Animal Welfare Alliance is the first-line resource for information concerning the most effective methods to help Indianapolis become a model city for the humane treatment of animals in safe neighborhoods:
Research other cities that are demographically comparable to Indianapolis that have successfully implemented strong and effective animal welfare programs, including companion animals and wildlife.
Develop and house a single source database of all animal welfare and rescue groups, including individual missions and capacities, to help provide quantitative data when addressing animal welfare issues.
Develop a city-wide animal lost and found website.
Develop a formal “animal exchange” program where groups work together to most effectively place animals in shelters and/or foster homes for eventual adoption and to track exchanges.
PREVENTION: The number of unwanted animals needing to be rescued or placed in shelters has significantly decreased each year, and by 2015 no animals are euthanized for space:'
Increase spay/neuter capacity by 10,000 per year:
Open two accessible, affordable spay/neuter-wellness clinics (one in 2010, one in 2012).
Recruit veterinarians to make spay/neuter services readily available and affordable.
Explore and recommend sources to fund spay/neuter services, education, and other programs to support the goals of prevention.
PLACEMENT: The number of animals adopted out of shelters or placed in approved foster care has significantly increased each year, such that existing shelters are scarcely populated (more capacity than need):
Develop and implement an effective, collaborative campaign to promote shelter animals, rather than pet shops and breeders, and encourage the placement of animals in foster homes.
Encourage more community volunteers to assist in shelters and as foster caregivers.
OUTREACH: Pet owners provide humane treatment and adequate care for their animals, and City residents do not tolerate abuse, neglect, or abandonment of animals:
Develop and implement a professional marketing campaign, targeted initially to the 10 zip codes with the highest number of strays and ACC citations, focused on:
Influencing/changing behaviors of pet owners to be responsible owners, i.e. humane treatment, spay/neuter, micro-chip, training, etc.
Encouraging neighbors to report instances of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
Identifying resources for pet owners.
Diminishing the approval of animal fighting and aggressive pets.
SAFETY: Indianapolis Animal Care and Control has a reputation for effectively balancing safety in the neighborhoods with humane care of the animals it shelters:
Improve efficiency and effectiveness of the ACC by re-assessing the facility and internal operating policies and procedures, including performance indicators and the current operational model.
Identify gaps in the law and work with the City County Council to strengthen existing ordinances and consequences.
Ensure that Animal Control Officers serve as the first line of defense for both people and animals and enforce all existing ordinances.
Elevate the perception of Animal Care and Control Officers (“Animal Cops”).
Work with shelters, outreach and rescue groups and resolve and fix specific situations.
