Indianapolis Community Affairs Committee Meeting – March 18, 2026
Indianapolis Community Affairs Committee Meeting – March 18, 2026
The Community Affairs Committee met on March 18, 2026, for a presentation and discussion on Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS). The sole agenda item, a proposal to reappoint Danielle Heinz to the Animal Care Services Board, was withdrawn by consent. The committee heard an extensive update from IACS Director and staff, followed by public testimony from four residents and a union representative.
Consent Calendar
- Proposal 1-2026 (Reappointment of Danielle Heinz to the Animal Care Services Board): Withdrawn by consent after Ms. Heinz removed her name from consideration.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Angela Hobson (SOAR initiative, zip code 46222): Expressed support for IACS progress, praised director and staff judgment on euthanasia, but urged the council to increase salary for the rescue coordinator position to retain talent.
- Lori Collins (Director, Lucius House Bully Rescue, zip code 46227): Acknowledged improvements but criticized a reported four‑week hold time for stray pickups, alleged euthanasia for space and after flawed behavior evaluations, and called for earlier rescue notification and genuine transparency.
- Amy Gong (Marion County resident and IACS volunteer, zip code not given): Raised concern about a new policy in the upcoming shelter where dogs would not be guaranteed daily kennel time (due to double‑sided kennels), contrasting with practices at other municipal shelters.
- Mayanna Ruez (Board member and foster coordinator, Lucius House Bully Rescue, zip code 46208): Questioned transparency regarding a dog named Lucky, alleging incomplete disclosure of bite history and euthanasia decisions. Urged council to scrutinize information provided by administration and ask about the animal transport plan to the new shelter.
- Vince Gardner (President, AFSCME Local 725): Expressed pride in the new shelter, positive working relationship with IACS leadership, and optimism for continued improvement.
Discussion Items
- IACS Performance Update (July 1, 2024–March 15, 2025 vs. July 1, 2025–March 15, 2026): Director reported a 28% increase in live animal intakes, 27% increase in live outcomes, 46% increase in rescue transfers, 17% increase in adoptions, and a live release rate of 88.83%. Response time improved from 3.5 days to 10.51 hours. A St. Patrick’s Day adoption event placed 99 animals, the highest single‑day number since 2023.
- Volunteer and Staffing: 39 volunteers in training; volunteer handbook, liability waiver, roles, and onboarding process updated. A new deputy director (Billy) and enforcement manager (Jason Kendig) hired. Most positions filled; still recruiting for one veterinarian and one IndyCares coordinator. Four to five additional kennel staff anticipated for the new shelter.
- Enrichment and Behavior: Transitioned to continuous behavior observation (ASPCA/Best Friends standards). Peanut butter temporarily restricted in enrichment due to rodent issue.
- OSHA Complaint: Received March 12, 2026, regarding rodent infestation. 150 traps set weekly; deep cleaning escalated. Building originally on a former dump site. Director stated the problem is being addressed pending move to new shelter.
- New Shelter Update: Construction nearly complete; kennel installation underway; cat cages arriving next week. “Punch list” walkthroughs starting. Target occupancy: first week of May 2026.
- Euthanasia and Return Process: Director confirmed euthanasia decisions follow ASPCA guidelines and continuous observation. Adopted animals returned for severe behavioral issues may be euthanized. Rescues rarely return animals; only one known case due to dangerous behavior. Live release rate has not declined despite increased intake.
- Holding Period: A four‑week hold is used for stray intakes when space is limited; the public is asked to hold animals if possible. Managed intake fluctuates; animals are brought in immediately if aggressive or if the finder cannot keep them.
- Animal Transport to New Shelter: Existing vehicles (including a horse trailer) will be used; staff will drive for insurance reasons.
Key Outcomes
- No votes were taken on policy or budget matters. The committee received the IACS update and public testimony for informational purposes.
- The director committed to reconsidering the peanut butter policy once in the new shelter and to re‑evaluate staffing needs after moving in May.
- Multiple council members expressed support for the director and staff, while acknowledging continuing community concerns about euthanasia, transparency, and volunteer hours.
- No formal directives or referrals were issued.
Meeting Transcript
I'm gonna call this meeting of the community affairs committee to order. Um we're gonna start with introductions of those on the committee and those in attendance. I am Ellie Brown, uh Counselor District 10. Uh councillor Allen. Councillor Renee Allen, District 15, the Fari Sat. Uh good evening, also good afternoon, Ron Gibson, District 8. Uh thanks, Madam Chair, and good evening, everyone. Keith Graves, District 9 on the Indian Embassy side. Thank you, Madam Chair Vosley, District 12. And our guests. Thank you, Madam Chair. Counselor Dan Boots, uh, District 3, Washington Lawrence Townships. Thank you, counselors. Um, before we get started, so today we have a proposal uh that we'll talk about, and then we're gonna hear from animal care services. I want to remind those in the audience because I know many people have come in. If you are interested in speaking during the public comment part, please fill it out now. Um, so that way we are able to roll. We will do our rules before public comment when it comes to that time, but during the time while uh the director and her staff are presenting, the council is the only ones asking questions and talking, and then we will have public comment after that. So with proposal one 2026 to reappoint Danielle Heinz to the Animal Care Services Board, she has withdrawn her nomination. Um if or she has withdrawn her uh desire to remain on the committee. So with consent of those in attendance, uh I would like to withdraw proposal number one. Consent. Thank you. Thank you. Is that that'll work for us? Awesome. Okay. So uh director, uh, you are welcome to go ahead and roll, and uh we will uh get with questions afterwards. All right, thank you. Oh my there we go. Uh good evening, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to update. I think I'm gonna turn out your close. So short. Short. Uh good evening, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide an update on Indianapolis Animal Care Services. Uh, the first page you're looking at there is just our department overview. The following metrics will compare a time period from July 1st, 2025 through March 15th, current 2026. Um, and then they'll also compare from July 1st, 2024 through March 15, 2025, just to give us kind of a side by side comparison. Uh during this time, we have expanded our capacity to serve the community, increased life-saving placements, and improved operational efficiency while managing a sustainability higher number of animals entering the system. Our intake and outcome numbers, we have had a 28% increase in live animals coming in for intakes. Our live outcomes increased by 27%. Rescue transfers increased by over 46%. Our adoptions have increased by 17%, and our live release rate has remained strong at 88.83%. Uh, just to go a little bit further into enforcement operations, which, if you follow along with the the graphs that are in there and the charts, they're kind of hard to read if you're out in the audience. I apologize, they are small. Um Billy can scroll through those for you. We'll go over enforcement. Um, our animal care enforcement team has also made significant progress in response times. Our response time was three and a half days. It is now 10.51 hours.
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