Indy offers pet care for animal lovers in need
Of the 15,000 abandoned animals that wind up at the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control shelter each year, about 30 percent come from what police have identified as the half-dozen most challenged areas in the city.
Once a month, and continuing through October, Animal Care and Control is teaming up with a number of local animal welfare groups to host Community Pet Days to target the Department of Public Safety's six focus areas. Each event offers neighborhood pet owners free and discounted services, including pet food, collars, leashes, harnesses, spay and neuter surgeries, microchipping, flea medications and vaccinations.
Each of the first two events, on May 23 and June 27, attracted a few hundred people.
James White Jr. was among those who attended the most recent event at Barnes United Methodist Church. White, who lives alone with his 3½-year-old German shepherd, Fred, was impressed.
"Fred's my best buddy. So many people have pets, and not enough know what their pet needs to stay healthy," White said. "The savings were substantial. I'm happy that he's now protected from diseases, and the neuter surgery will reduce his chances of getting testicular cancer. It will also keep him a lot calmer.
"Even if the event was held twice a year, that would be really positive. Events like this bring the community together. Everyone was so cordial and happy, and the dogs could all socialize with each other."
So far, 11 large-breed dogs, 17 small-breed dogs and nine cats have been scheduled for free spay or neuter surgeries, and 70 pets have been microchipped.
Dawn Contos, Animal Care and Control's community outreach coordinator, said she expects a reduction in intake at the shelter next year as a direct result of the initiative.
"It is so important to spay or neuter your pets, and they need to be microchipped. Most of the animals that people brought to our first two events were not," Contos said. "It gives owners a peace of mind in knowing that they will get their pet back if anything was to happen.
"Seventy pets microchipped means 70 less animals that we'll receive at the shelter. Flea medication is also really crucial, especially as the weather gets warmer. So many cats have fleas, and they can become anemic. It's a serious medical concern. I've seen incidents where animals can get overrun with fleas and have died."
Supporting Animal Care and Control in this initiative are Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside, IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center, FACE Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic and Indy Pit Crew. Volunteers from these groups also will assist residents in transporting their pets to and from their scheduled surgery appointments. Contos has high hopes for the initiative continuing into next year.
The next event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25, focusing on the community near New York Street and Sherman Drive. The specific location is yet to be determined, but residents will receive an invitation in the mailbox.
Follow Star reporter Alana Mitchelson on Twitter: @AlanaMitchelson.
FOCUS AREAS:
• West 16th Street and North Tibbs Avenue.
• West 29th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street.
• West 34th Street and North Illinois Street.
• East 38th Street and North Sherman Drive.
• East New York Street and North Sherman Drive.
• East 42nd Street and North Post Road.
HOW TO DONATE:
Indianapolis Animal Care and Control encourages people to donate pet food, gently used collars and leads, and other pet supplies by dropping them off at the shelter, 2600 S. Harding St. Dawn Contos, Animal Care and Control's community outreach coordinator, said the greatest need is for cat food.
To donate cash toward spay and neuter appointments, visit indypitcrew.org