New animal welfare facility now open

After three years of planning and fundraising, a new animal welfare facility on the city's west side is officially open.

It’s called the IndyHumane Animal Welfare Center, and it opened Monday morning.

It’s a product of the Indianapolis Humane Society, that teamed up with other animal advocacy groups to put a low-cost dog and cat vaccination clinic in a targeted neighborhood.

That neighborhood is near N. Holmes Ave and Michigan on the city’s west side.

Nearly 75% of the 18,000 animals brought to Indianapolis Animal Care and Control every year come from 10 zip codes. This clinic is in one of those zip codes, and close to a few others.

“We're trying to give basic care, to keep animals in house, and to keep them from animal care and control, or having to surrender them,” said Dr. Kelli Barton, the veterinarian at the center. “The goal… is to cut down the number of animals that are euthanized each year because there are just too many of them.”

Shirley Schell lives in the neighborhood. “I think the new clinic is something that everybody should have around here. We don’t have anything close except for way down the street,” said Schell. Schell says she'll bring her animals there to be neutered once the clinic offers that.

The group is hoping that by March, they’ll be able to open a spay and neuter clinic also within the center. They’ll need to raise the money needed before that. It’s all funded by donations.

Right now, the center offers vaccinations and also education. It partnered with Spay-Neuter Services of Indiana, Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO), Indy Pit Crew, and Casa Del Toro. It’s the first of its kind in the country because all these groups will have a presence in the targeted neighborhood.

The center is open to anyone, living anywhere. You can find out more information about its hours or how to get involved by clicking here.