On October 29, Mayor Greg Ballard appeared in a photo shoot with Humane Society of Indianapolis (HSI) Director John Aleshire with a document proclaiming November 1-7 as "Animal Shelter Appreciation Week" in Indianapolis.

As a result of mtA’s efforts in the last several years bringing public attention to HSI’s pre existing practices, HSI now accepts strays, is making an effort to save cats exposed to disease rather than "depopulating" them, has a food pantry, an enthusiastic and passionate staff with IT and management skills of Tristan Schmid and Christine Jeschke, and is exploring opening a wellness clinic in the Fountain Square area.

As the Mayor stands before the camera with the HSI director to acknowledge this Animal Shelter Appreciation Week ceremony, animals at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC) suffer in crowded, dirty conditions with a HVAC system that invites disease and fails federal safety standards.

"Animal Shelter Appreciation Week in Indianapolis recognizes the importance of shelters working to promote the invaluable role they play in our communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues, shelter services, and public safety."

Here is a proclamation announced only weeks after eliminating a management team at IACC that had, for the first time, made the welfare of the animals in the city shelter a priority and was just gaining momentum.

Anyone who has been even peripherally involved with the rescue of animals from IACC would be stunned by this statement: "Whereas, animal shelters act as safe havens for homeless and abused animals, providing them with comfort and care; ..."

Animals who manage to come through the doors at HSI fortunately are going to be beneficiaries of a safe haven and medical care. Citizens and volunteers involved with helping the animals at IACC know that the Indianapolis municipal shelter is anything BUT a safe haven. Healthy animals run near-certain risk of becoming ill, abused (as in "…jacking the shit out of them") or killed. Read this observation from an IACC visitor here

Has Indianapolis’ Mayor even bothered to visit and tour the city facility on South Harding St; a facility that receives 18,000 animals a year? One would think that before firing the shelter administrator upon the advice of those who lobbied for his removal, the Mayor could at least have visited the agency to see first-hand what goes on there.

The previous administrator, Doug Rae, refused to tolerate animal abuse. He had researched the cost and installation of surveillance cameras to protect both the staff and animals, had a quote and a donor to fund the project.

Because of a small number of self-interested animal groups and certain city-county councilors who gathered at HSI on July 25 to influence city officials in getting Rae fired, there will be no camera surveillance to protect the staff and animals at IACC. Will animals continue to be at the mercy of city employed individuals as described by Ms Lobdell at the tax payers (and especially the animals’) expense? The new interim administrator will have her hands full and we hope will deal swiftly with any abuse.

There is at least one city in the country that seems concerned about how the animals in its care are treated and will use technology to monitor.

Also in the proclamation: "Whereas, the City of Indianapolis appreciates the work of animal shelters and the important services they provide to the community and encourages citizens to support the Humane Society of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Animal Care and Control and other shelters throughout the city;..."

"If you can’t adopt a dog or cat, there are plenty of other things you can do to show shelter animals you care" states HSI’s website.

What is the recommendation to show the animals you care? Give money to the Humane Society or volunteer.

Are there alternative recommendations to show the animals you care?

Donate to or volunteer with a local rescue group that is pulling animals out of IACC. Most small rescues have neither a brand name nor grant writers from which to benefit, but depend on garage sales, candle and bake sales, silent auctions and similar events for funding their humble treasury and life-saving missions.

The ANIMALS IN GREATEST NEED AND AT GREATEST RISK IN THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS are those who land at the doors of IACC.

Also consider making a tax deductible donation to the Friends of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Foundation, Inc (FIACCFI). Learn more about the Friends Foundation Primary Funds here.

• Honest, ethical and accountability that embraces genuine customer service sensitive to the needs of animals the agencies claim to serve
• Accurate information to the public and donors, as opposed to misinformation about their organizations and numbers that misrepresent the status of animal care in our city
• Action that addresses the care and treatment of 11,000 animals who will be destroyed at IACC this year and dumped as trash in the landfill