INDIANAPOLIS–Nearly 60 animals have new homes thanks to the Clear the Shelter event put on by Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) over the weekend.
“59 animals found their new homes yesterday during our Clear the Shelter event… but there are still more looking for theirs today!” IACS said on Facebook.
27 dogs and 32 cats were adopted. Adoptions are free until the end of the month. Around 500 animals were dropped off at the shelter recently.
IACS also wanted to clear up some misconceptions going around on social media, claiming that the shelter is euthanizing pets surrenders at the intake door because of space issues.
They issued the following statement:
We would like to clear up some misconceptions about how Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) is handling our space crisis. There are some posts running rampant on social media that IACS is euthanizing all owner surrenders at the intake door due to our space issues. That is NOT TRUE.
Very difficult decisions are being made on a daily basis, but we are NOT euthanizing healthy adoptable animals at intake due to our space issues. When a healthy, adoptable animal comes into the shelter, staff members are continuing to work tirelessly to give that animal every opportunity to give it the second chance it deserves at a loving home.
The reality is we take in more animals than we adopt, send to rescue, or return to owners nearly every day. When an animal is surrendered to the shelter we have to consider that animal’s placement options, if that animal has severe medical or behavioral issues that makes adoption or rescue placement unlikely our staff is forced to make the difficult decision to euthanize so that our limited resources (space, staff and volunteer time, etc.) can be maximized to help the animals we CAN save. It would be inhumane and irresponsible to house animals indefinitely without a positive outcome in sight for them.
There is a sign at our intake door that informs people surrendering an animal that the animal has a higher risk of being euthanized at this time. It would be negligent for us to continue taking in animals, knowing our resources our limited, and not communicate that to owners. The staff and volunteers are empowered to offer resources to help owners keep animals in their home until we are able to open up space.
While we appreciate and understand the concern, anger, frustration, disappointment, and all of the other feelings people are expressing after hearing that we are euthanizing animals, please understand it’s something shelter staff struggles with every day when they have to make those tough decisions.
(PHOTO: Indianapolis Animal Care Services)
