INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Animal Care Services is one step closer to moving into their new shelter.
The city broke ground June 10 on the new location at Raymond Street on the southeast side.
“I am thrilled to be with you all to celebrate this big step we take toward improving animal welfare in our community,” Mayor Joe Hogsett said. “It required much collaborative, creative problem-solving alongside our community to make this new space a reality.”
The new shelter is three times the size of the existing 24,000-square-foot shelter on Harding Street. It will include an improved medical clinic, lab space, and a modern lobby and reception area.
It will also prioritize natural light, outdoor space, larger kennels and noise reduction.
“Our current shelter does not meet the needs of the animals we serve or the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to provide care,” said Abbey Brands, director of the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, which oversees IACS. “This new building isn’t just larger — its design will allow for more efficient operations, a better approach to medical care and more humane treatment of the animals in our care.”
13News has done several reports on the overcrowding at the shelter, creating a crisis for the animals and the staff.
That's why this new shelter is purposefully placed in the 46203 ZIP code, which historically has had some of the highest stray pickups and animal control-related runs in Marion County.
Friends of Indy Animals say this new shelter is critical to ensuring more animals find forever homes.
“This is why they are here, to be part of our families, to be a part of our community, and when they are not able to do that, that’s a determent them,” said Jason Larrison, chair of Friends of Indy Animals Board of Directors.
The shelter is largely funded by Friends of Indy Animals, which is committing $7 million from their “Journey Home” capital campaign, along with a $20 million bond approved by the City-County Council.
Key gifts to the capital campaign include a $3 million grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, a $1 million investment from the Lilly Endowment and a $1 million gift from the Indianapolis Colts.
As IACS waits for the new shelter to be built, the city is working to make operational improvements.
In late 2023, IACS began a partnership with the national organization Best Friends, which is currently working onsite to assess operations and provide recommendations to shelter leadership.
IACS is also collaborating with local and regional animal welfare partners to develop a community-wide animal welfare strategic plan. Earlier this year, IACS kicked off an organizational assessment to better understand long-term needs for growth and improvement.
Some frequent visitors to the current shelter told 13News they couldn't be happier with the new investment.
"I'm overjoyed for them. I think it's a long time coming, and I think it will really help the city of Indianapolis," Brianna Crum said. "They have so many animals coming in at one time. I know that for some dogs, that noise is really traumatizing, especially if it's a senior dog.”
The goal is to create a more comfortable environment for the animals while they wait to get adopted, which one adopter said is just as important for the animal as it is for their future owner.
"It's really important that they have a good environment. It could turn them mean. You don't know what's going to happen to them because they could be reactive," said Sarah Cown, who adopted her dog.
They hope the comfortable environment will also give animals and owners a more enjoyable environment to get to know one another and hopefully lead animals to finding their forever homes quicker.
"I think more people will be able to see more dogs and be able to adopt more easily. Then, they would be able to if it was more overcrowded than it is now," Cown said.
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