Six-month-old Sully was ready. The yellow bandana wrapped around the red-furred puppy’s neck declared “adopt me” inside a heart. But the dog treat connecting two red ribbons set the stage. As Sully chewed through the treat, the pup “cut” the ribbon, ceremoniously opening the city’s new animal shelter.
Sully was accompanied by several city leaders and animal care workers.
The new facility at 5001 East Raymond St. on the city’s southeast side is 61,000 square feet, double the size of the previous Harding Street shelter.
“This is going to revolutionize animal welfare in our city,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said at the event. “More than double the size of the previous facility. And filled with modern amenities. This building was designed with the explicit intention of getting animals out of the shelter and into their forever home.”
Hogsett, who doesn’t own any pets, said that he’s a cat person, but also likes dogs like Sully.
The 234 dog kennels in the new shelter include 182 of those that allow the dogs to be both indoor and outdoor, with a doggie door between. There are 12 outdoor dog kennels, and the site has a dog walking path. A public dog park will soon be open and operated by IndyParks at the property.
There’s also a large barn and 2 acres of pasture for larger animals like horses.
Cats have 80 condos with extra playrooms for the felines to free roam. There are also two outdoor “catio” enclosures. Both the cat and dog spaces have natural light, and some rooms are just for puppies, kittens and smaller animals like rabbits.
The facility offers destress rooms where staff can help certain animals learn how to socialize.
The new shelter also has a larger 3,000-square-foot medical suite for staff to provide full veterinary services, and features a lab, radiology room, hospital-grade surgery room, and spaces for rest and recovery.
It’s perfect for situations like the one that happened on May 12, when a dog was injured in a stabbing on the city’s southwest side. Indianapolis Animal Control Services (IACS) took the dog from the scene for treatment.
“These features and amenities will make a world of difference in improving the outcomes for animals as they wait to find their forever home,” IACS Director Amanda Dehoney-Hinkle said.
IACS staff and volunteers also have spray machines to help clean the kennels more efficiently, break rooms, laundry rooms to take care of the animals’ towels, blankets and bedding, and an HVAC system to improve air quality.
“Caring for animals starts with caring about people,” Friends of Indy Animals executive director Kristin Hancock said.
The project cost $37.25 million and was partially funded by a capital campaign Friends of Indy Animals spearheaded, which included the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust giving $3 million, the Indianapolis Colts and Lilly Endowment giving $1 million each.
The new shelter will be open from noon to 7 p.m. seven days per week.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: New Indianapolis animal shelter opens up on city’s southeast side
Reporting by Jade Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
