Time to ACT on proposed budget cut for IACC

As the city’s largest open-door animal shelter, Indianapolis Animal Care and Control takes in approximately 17,000 animals in need each year. I hope that you, as a member of the committee charged with setting IACC’s budget, will take these facts into account as you consider that budget:

• IACC’s antiquated building desperately needs an isolation area for sick animals and airflow re- engineering to prevent the spread of airborne disease

• A full-time veterinarian is needed onsite

• The facility is chronically understaffed, and is again without an administrator for the 11th time in 12 years

• There is not even a line item in the current budget for food for the animals

Would you want to run a business or nonprofit agency without money for the barest essentials? Surely a world-class city can adequately fund this facility.

Many of your constituents are involved with animal welfare. We spend our own time and money to save animals’ lives. Local rescue organizations report that more than 90% of the animals they pull from IACC have treatable, preventable illnesses.

Please visit IACC before you make a decision on its budget. See for yourself the conditions, the hard-working staff, and the homeless animals who are there through no fault of their own.

Then, I urge you, please respect the needs identified by previous IACC directors and allot this agency a budget adequate for the crucial services it provides.

Thank you.