IACS Reminds Indianapolis Residents to Protect Pets DuringWinter Weather

INDIANAPOLIS – With the heavy snowfall and forecasted frigid temperatures, Indianapolis Animal
Care Services (IACS) is reminding Indianapolis residents to bring animals inside during cold
weather.

Cold and icy weather puts stray animals and outdoor pets at risk of exposure, illness, and hunger.
As a reminder, it is against City-County Ordinance (Sec. 531-401) to leave animals outside during
frigid conditions. When the outside temperature is at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or if a wind
chill warning has been issued by the local, state or national authority, dogs must be brought into a
temperature-controlled facility (a building maintained between 40 and 80 degrees). Owners could
face fines or criminal charges if they fail to properly care for their pets during winter weather, but
there are resources available for those who need help caring for an outdoor dog.

Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO)works in partnership with IACS during extreme
weather to provide properly outfitted doghouses for outside and training crates so people can bring
dogs inside when temperatures fall to 20 degrees or below. These resources help people comply
with the cold weather ordinance.

The shelter is currently housing 214 dogs. With only 203 kennels, it faces challenges in
accommodating the influx of animals expected due to the frigid temperatures.

Reporting Animals

Residents should not call about dogs outside for short periods, as animals may be briefly outside for
exercise or other needs. If a resident is concerned about the safety of an animal, they can contact
the Mayor’s Action Center by calling 317-327-4622 during normal business hours, using the
Request Indy mobile app, or visiting indy.gov/RequestIndy.

Since calls for animal control officers tend to increase during the winter, the shelter asks the
community to remain patient. Requests for assistance may take longer than usual, as animal control
officers manage a growing workload.

Resources for outdoor cats

Indy Neighborhood Cats offers a Winter Survival Guide for Community Cats, which includes tips on
how to care for outdoor felines during cold weather. More information can be found on their
website. https://www.indyneighborhoodcats.org/

How to support IACS

There are several things the public can do to help overcrowding at the shelter and help prevent the
euthanasia of animals due to space constraints.

• Foster an animal: Temporarily opening your home to a dog or cat can provide much needed relief for the shelter. Every kennel cleared creates space for a winter rescue.
• Adopt a pet: Consider adopting a dog or cat from IACS if you’re able to commit to having a
  pet. Currently, there are 175 dogs and 26 cats looking for a warm and loving home.
• Help reunite pets with owners: Before bringing a stray to the shelter, try to locate its
  owner. Most lost and stray pets tend to stick close to home, so post a photo and information
  about where the pet was found on Indy Lost Pet Alert (https:/indylostpetalert.com/),
  NextDoor, your neighborhood's Facebook page, and your social media accounts. Another
  option is to take the animal to a vet clinic to be scanned for a microchip. If there's a
  microchip, contact the owner and reunite the pet with its family. You can also walk the
  neighborhood to see if anyone is actively looking for the pet or if there are any lost pet
  flyers. If no microchip is found, try to hold onto the animal (if possible) and continue
  searching for the owner. The shelter offers resources to help residents keep stray or lost
  animals safe until the owner is found.

For more information on IACS, visit indy.org/acs

FIDO - FIDO (Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside) is an animal welfare non-profit organization
based in Indianapolis, Indiana that works to improve the lives of outside dogs, especially those
living continuously chained or penned. FIDO’s programs and services provide education, resources,
and direct assistance to pet owners and dogs in need. fidoindy.org/

Indy Neighborhood Cats (INC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality
of life for unowned neighborhood cats and the community they live in by reducing overpopulation
through trap-neuter-return (TNR). indyneighborhoodcats.org/

Media Contacts
Colleen Walker
Public Information Officer
Indianapolis Animal Care Services
Colleen.Walker@Indy.Gov