BSL

I think it is easy to overlook that we are fortunate here in Indianapolis to not have breed specific legislation (BSL). If you don't know what BSL is or want to learn more about it's impact in your community check these resources made available by our friends at Animal Farm Foundation in NY.

Even though we don't have BSL in our community, when CDT adopters try to move out of the state they are confronted with hard decisions that no one wants to make. In 2017 we had two dogs returned to the rescue because when their families moved out of state they could not afford to keep them.


Bodhi, white dog in front

Bodhi, white dog in front

Bodhi, Class of 2016, was returned when her owners moved to California for work. Bodhi's owner had to decide between a house where they could keep their dog, but fear for their child's safety when going to Elementary school OR surrender their dog back to CDT and pick a house in a neighborhood where pit bulls are banned, but there is a in a good school district for their child.

No one should have to make this decision not to mention compounding the move across the country with separating a child from their dog.

The good news is that there was a family friend that were looking for a dog and and Bodhi was the perfect fit. So Bodhi wasn't in the rescue long and her current owners are still in contact with her original owner.


Gidget aka Gidgy-goo-goo

Gidget aka Gidgy-goo-goo

Then on Christmas day Gidget, Class of 2015, came back to the rescue. Gidget's adopter took a job promotion which relocated the family to the company headquarters in Memphis, TN where BSL exists. So they bough a house in a BSL-free county in Mississippi. Throughout the closing process Gidget's adopters were struggling with obtaining home owners insurance that would cover a pit bull. Finally, they found a company that would underwrite their insurance policy at an 80% mark-up! Instead of paying $40/month on top of their mortgage payment they would have to pay $200/month because they own a pit bull. Gidget's adopters could do that, they had the funds and were ready to move forward.

Then 7 days before Gidget's adopters are scheduled to move their family (which includes an 18 mo old baby) 450 miles they get a call telling them the mortgage lender will not underwrite their loan to include the cost of pit bull friendly insurance. For example, if their rent was estimated at $1,500/mo the lender would underwrite a mortgage for $1,540/mo (which includes basic insurance), but refused to underwrite a loan for $1,700/mo (the monthly cost of rent plus the cost of pit bull friendly insurance). So after everything they've tried to do, Gidget's adopters had to choose to keep Gidget and have no place to live in a week or surrender their dog back to CDT.

No one should have to make the decision of giving up their dog just because of it's looks. Bodhi and Gidget are both good dogs. They deserve good homes. Gidget's settling into her foster home and has spent the last week getting completely spoiled! She's currently looking for a forever home where she can be the only diva and soak up all the love.

BSL doesn't work. It's expensive (estimated to cost over $1.1M if launched in Indianapolis, IN) and doesn't improve public safety. Learn more:

Winding down

Fall is definitely here and winter is right around the corner. The rescue usually winds down in November and December. There is a two-fold reason for doing this.

Alumnus AJ doesn't like the rain.

Alumnus AJ doesn't like the rain.

First, it's just the natural rhythm of life here in the Midwest. Day light savings time 'falls back' and darkness begins to crawl forward earlier in the evening. This throws us off as much as the dogs and usually everyone sleeps more. The weather turns wet and cold, eventually add snow into the mix, and people stay indoors. No one thinks - hey let's get another dog, when they're wiping snow and muck off of the bottom of their current dog's feet every time they come inside from a freezing cold bathroom break. Having two dogs means twice the amount of work, and living in the Midwest, that's a lot of work in the winter. Two doggy coats to put on, eight feet to wipe, extra snow shoveling to do to clear favorite (and necessary) poop spots, two dogs to towel dry and then the obligatory house zoomies (times two) because it's just so much fun to go run around in the snow.

Current 2017 Adoptabull Libby at the shelter.

Current 2017 Adoptabull Libby at the shelter.

The second reason we dial it back in November and December is because people's lives get busy. Regardless of what holiday you celebrate, people get together and/or travel at the end of the year. This extra change in schedule and foot traffic is not conducive to pulling a dog from the shelter. We prefer a quiet environment for at least the first three days when a new dog comes into the shelter. Why, you may ask? The shelter is a stressful environment and so is the process of us pulling a dog from the shelter. Imaging you had spent the past 1.5 years (in dog time or 90 days in human time) at the shelter. One day someone shows up, bathes you, puts you in a car, drives you away, introduces you to other dogs, and integrates you into their home. That's a lot of change for a dog and will stress them out. The body's natural response to stress is to release cortisol. Cortisol is a naturally occurring steroid hormone in the adrenal gland. Cortisol has positive affects like accellerating the metabolic response rate (opening air paths and blood vessels to allow more oxygen to aid in flight from life threatening situation) or negative affects like increasing the healing times of wounds. Once a body receives a spike of cortisol it takes approximately 72 hours for their body to process the hormone and balance back out.

Not only do our foster families get busy over the holiday's, in the past, we have had adopters decided to return their dogs at this time of year too. I have personally spent a Thanksgiving day driving 3 hours to pick up an adoption return. The following year I spent a Christmas morning picking up a foster return. So I can tell you from personal experience that it is in the benefit of the rescue to slow down in November and December because there is an increased chance of crazy stuff happening.

Usually we pick back up around the end of February and March (when Spring is right around the corner). That is not to say we won't pull dogs for the next four months, it's just that if we do we will be very intentional about which dogs would work the best given the conditions. 

What is leash reactivity?

After publicly announcing our leash reactivity class, we have received a lot of inquiries about the topic.

What is leash reactivity?

This is a umbrella term used in dog training to describe a series of behaviors a dog may exhibit while on lead. This includes but is not limited to: lunging, barking, growling, jumping and vocalizing.

Dogs can be reactive to just about anything that you come across on your walks. Most commonly pet parents struggle with managing dogs that display these behaviors when they see another dog approaching. There are many reasons why a dog may become leash reactive. In our class, we will address the underlying causes for reactivity and give owners a better understanding of how to properly work with their dog to decrease these types of behaviors.

Click the image below for an in-depth article about the causes of leash reactivity written by Tom Mitchell. Tom is a veterinarian, clinical behaviorist and companion and sports dog trainer, providing a unique perspective on all things dog.

2018 Indy Pet Resource Flyer

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Services

Be a responsible pet owner. Pets should be spayed or neutered to improve their health and behavior and prevent overpopulation. 

FACE Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic

1505 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46201

(317) 638-3223

Low-cost spaying and neutering for dogs and cats. Special programs for community cats. No income requirements. 

IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center

456 N. Holmes Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46222

(317) 602-3423

Low-cost spaying and neutering for dogs and cats. No income requirements, but additional discounts for households receiving public assistance. Special programs for community cats. 

Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic - Brownsburg

409 N. Green St., Brownsburg, IN 46112

(317) 852-0537

Low-cost spaying and neutering for dogs and cats. Special programs for community cats. No income requirements. 

Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic – Noblesville

1721A Pleasant St., Noblesville, IN 46060

(317) 706-0537

Low-cost spaying and neutering for dogs and cats. Special programs for community cats. No income requirements. 

Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana (SNSI)

1100 W. 42nd Street, Suite 205, Indianapolis, IN 46208

(317) 767-7771

Low-cost certificates for spaying and neutering at participating veterinary clinics throughout Indiana. Available year-round to pet owners meeting income requirements; in February and October, the program is open to all pet owners in need. 


Community Cat Programs

Contact the clinic for prices, services, and special promotions. Help reduce the stray and feral cat overpopulation. If you are feeding community cats in Indianapolis, you are required by the city’s TNR ordinance to spay/neuter, vaccinate, and ear-tip for identification all cats in your colony. 

FACE Community Cat Program (IndyFeral)

1505 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46201

(317) 638-3223

communitycats@faceanimalclinic.org

Offers Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) assistance for caretakers of community cats. TNR referrals provided for those outside of Indianapolis. 

IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center

456 N. Holmes Avenue., Indianapolis, IN 46222

(317) 602-3423, ext 150

bethany@indyhumane.org

Offers Trap-Neuter-Return assistance for caretakers of community cats. 

Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic – Brownsburg

409 N. Green St., Brownsburg, IN 46112

(317) 852-0537

Offers Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) assistance for caretakers of community cats. 

Low-Cost Spay Neuter Clinic - Noblesville

1721A Pleasant St., Noblesville, IN 46060

(317) 706-0537

Offers Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) assistance for caretakers of community cats. 


Emergency Veterinary Service

Airport Animal Emergi-Center

 5235 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46241

(317) 248-0832

Special night, weekend, and holiday hours 

Indianapolis Veterinary Emergency Center

5425 Victory Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46203

(317) 782-4484

Daily 24 hours 

Noah’s Animal Hospital & 24 Hour Emergency Center

5510 Millersville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46226

(317) 244-7738

Daily 24 hours 

VCA Advanced Care

7712 Cross Point Commons, Fishers, IN 46038

(317) 578-4100

Daily 24 hours 

Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care

4625 E. Stop 11 Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46237

(317) 534-6000

Daily 24 hours 

If you find a sick or injured animal requiring medical help, and you cannot provide help yourself, take the animal to Indianapolis Animal Care Services, 2600 S. Harding St, 46221, Mon-Sat 12pm-6pm. To request pick-up from an officer, call the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4622, Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm. During off-hours, call police dispatch at (317) 327-3811. Or use the IACS officer RequestIndy online portal. The animal must be confined and you must be standing by.

Shelter drop-off hours are Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat from 10 am to 5 pm, Thurs from 10 am to 7 pm. 


Low-Cost Medical Care, Wellness Exams, Vaccinations, and Microchipping

For their long-term health and safety, pets should receive annual wellness checks, vaccinations, heartworm preventative (dogs), and permanent identification. By law, pets must be treated for illness and injury. 

Indy pet resources chartpng

To Report Suspected Animal Neglect/Abuse/Abandonment

Regardless of whether the animal is a pet, stray, or wild animal, Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) is the enforcement authority for animal ordinances in the city. IACS officers are dispatched through the Mayor’s Action Center or police dispatch.

  • For crimes in progress: Call 911.

  • For suspected abuse, neglect, or other animal violations:

    • Call the Mayor’s Action Center (317) 327-4622, Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm

    • Submit the case location and details online through Request Indy.

  • During off-hours: Either call police dispatch for assistance at (317) 327-3811 or report online through Request Indy.

  • For dog fighting information or reporting: Contact Canine Crime Stoppers, (317) 262-TIPS

Pet Lost and Found

If you’ve lost a pet:

  • Visit the Indianapolis Animal Care Services shelter daily.

    • 2600 S. Harding St., Indianapolis, IN 46221, Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat 10 am to 6 pm, Thur from 10 am to 7 pm.

    • Bring a photo ID and proof of pet ownership. Stray animals are held for 4 days until pets are eligible for release to other shelters/rescues or for adoption.

  • Look on-line with Indy Lost Pet Alert. For the most up to date information, visit the Indy Lost Pet Alert Facebook page. You should look through found pet postings for your pet and also make a lost pet posting for your pet.

  • Lost pets housed at Southside Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of Indianapolis are reported to Indy Lost Pet Alert and posted via their Shelter Alerts. Animals are held at both shelters for 4 days until released for adoption.

  • FIDO: If your lost dog is staying in the same area but cannot be captured, contact FIDO Lost Dog Recovery Program at 317-221-1314, for help with generating sightings of your lost pet and ultimately capturing your dog.

If you’ve found a pet:

  • Scan the pet for a microchip. Any shelter or vet clinic will scan found pets at no charge.

  • Report the found pet on-line with Indy Lost Pet Alert. For the most updated information, visit their Facebook page.

  • If you are able to keep the pet in your home, you must adhere to the Indianapolis care and treatment ordinances. After scanning for a microchip and posting on Indy Lost Pet Alert, after a 14 day stray hold, you become the owner of the pet.

The following organizations may be able to help:

ARPO (Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership)

(317) 774-8292

May be able to help you foster the animal in your home, by providing medical and adoption assistance, after the 14-day stray hold period.

Humane Society of Indianapolis

7929 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268

(317) 872-5650

Can scan for chips, check reports, and provide resources to house the animal until the owner can be found or an appointment is made.s

Indianapolis Animal Care Services

2600 S. Harding St., Indianapolis, IN 46221

Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat from 10 am to 5 pm, Thurs from 10 am to 7 pm.

Surrendering a stray animal to IACS should be the last option because the shelter is usually full due to the fact that they are an open-admission shelter, turning no animal from Indianapolis away.


Re-homing Your Pet

First steps to take:

  • Usually the best option is to keep your pet. Seek assistance with the many pet resources listed in this flyer.

  • Arrange for a trusted friend or family member to take your pet.

  • Make sure your pet is spayed or neutered prior to re-homing.

  • Do not place your pet through on-line ads such as Craig’s List, garage sale sites, or Facebook groups. Many tragic outcomes have resulted from this approach.

The following organizations may be able to help re-home your pet:

ARPO (Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership)

(317) 774-8292

May be able to help you find a new home if you are willing to keep your pet in your home until another suitable home can be found.

Humane Society of Indianapolis

7929 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

(317) 872-5650

There is usually a waiting period of several weeks to surrender your pet.

Indianapolis Animal Care Services

2600 S. Harding St., Indianapolis, IN 46221

Sun, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat from 10 am to 5 pm, Thurs from 10 am to 7 pm.

Surrendering your pet to IACS should be the last option because the shelter is usually full due to the fact that they are an open-admission shelter, turning no animal from Indianapolis away.


Pet Food Pantries

Recipients must provide photo ID, proof of spay/neuter for their animals, and proof of financial need.

FIDO Pet Food Pantry

1505 N Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46201

Held the first Saturday of each month from 10 am to 4 pm. 


Dog Assistance, Humane Education, and Outreach

These organizations offer dog owners outreach assistance to keep the dog in the home.

FIDO - Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside

(317) 221-1314

Offers outreach, direct assistance, and humane education to improve the lives of chained and penned outside dogs. Spay/Neuter is required for supplies and services to be provided. S/N is available for free or very low cost.

IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center

456 N. Holmes Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46222

(317) 602- 3423 x133

iHelp@indyhumane.org

Offers comprehensive humane education programs for students.

Indy Pit Crew

(317) 592-9614

Offers low-cost or free spay/neuter assistance, microchipping, vaccinations, training advice, and humane education for bully breeds.


Wildlife and Exotic Pet Care and Rescue

 

A Critters Chance

For wildlife rescue call (317) 945-6154

For exotic pet rescue email anosie@gmail.com.

Specialize in wildlife rehabilitation, humane nuisance prevention techniques, and exotic pet rescue.

All Wild Things

6058 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220

(317) 255-9453

Mon, Tues, Thurs 8am-6pm; Wed and Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 8am-12pm.

Complete care for exotic, nontraditional pets, birds, and injured/orphaned wildlife.

Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic

9330 Waldemar Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268

(317) 879-8633

Mon-Thurs 8am-6pm; Fri 8am-4pm; Sat 8am-3pm. Complete care for exotic pets, birds, and injured/orphaned wildlife; 24-hour emergency assistance for injured/orphaned wildlife: (317) 902-3825.

DNR listing

Licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Indiana who have state or federal permits.

Providence Wildlife

(317) 902-3825

Cares for displaced, orphaned, or injured wildlife, 24/7, 365 days a year, provides education programs.


Rescue Resources for Cats Trapped in Trees and Roofs

Indiana Tree Service

(317) 476-3019

Ask for John Jay Stofleth.

DJ’s Tree Service

(317) 791-9790 or (317) 345-9376

Ask for Jose.