Indianapolis Animal Care Services is rolling out three adoption events at its South Harding Street shelter in early May as staff get ready to move animals into a new, larger facility on the city’s east side. The push is meant to ease near-capacity kennels and make the transfer less stressful for both animals and staff. Pets adopted during the events will receive medical care, and many of the usual fees will be waived.
New shelter on Raymond Street
The new shelter at 5001 E. Raymond St. is planned to be more than twice the size of the current 24,000-square-foot Harding Street building and will feature expanded medical, intake and reception areas, according to Friends of Indy Animals. The project is backed by a mix of nonprofit and city funding, and organizers say the additional space should give staff better clinic facilities and more room to manage population pressure and behavioral needs.
Adoption events and what to expect
Indianapolis Animal Care Services will host multiple adoption events at its Harding Street shelter, including sessions on May 2 and May 3 that run from noon to 6:30 p.m., and the agency says adoption fees will be waived. Officials also note that adopted animals will be vaccinated, microchipped and spayed or neutered. IACS reported about 205 dogs and 41 cats in the shelter while dog capacity sat near 98 percent as of April 20. The Harding Street location will temporarily close from May 4 through May 10 for the move, and the new Raymond Street facility is scheduled to open to the public on May 11. The agency is urging the community to adopt or foster before the temporary closure, per WISH-TV.
How to surrender or get help
Residents who need to surrender an animal can request an appointment through Indianapolis Animal Care Services, which lists [email protected] and 317-327-1397 as primary contacts for scheduling and assistance. The agency also runs volunteer and foster programs that help place animals temporarily while the shelter completes the transition. Officials encourage people to check the city’s official page for the latest hours, appointment procedures and available resources. See Indianapolis Animal Care Services for contact information and details.
Why this move matters
The relocation caps a multi-year effort to tackle chronic overcrowding at the Harding Street shelter and to expand on-site medical and behavioral capacity. Local reporting and public radio coverage have highlighted those pressures and the city’s recent steps to provide IACS with additional resources and a more defined operational structure, which officials say should cut down on emergency crowding and improve outcomes for animals. For background, see reporting by WFYI.
