IACC response: dog & kitten

Absolutely appalling. I had a friend with me at the last IACC meeting and she totally mirrored my thoughts before I could ever mention them to her. Mr Tally seems like a man just trying to put his time in before retirement. He does not seem willing to stand up and make any decisions on his own nor take any responsiblity for anything. I think he needs to retire and let someone run it that will get things done and not tolerate the actions/attitudes of some of their staff. I know that shelter staff works hard and they love animals but they also need to be compassionate and show that to be a good worker. Let's just hope those two animals didn't die in vain and that things can change.

I agree with you. He seems to defer everything to Scott Newman. I think he cares about the animals, but he doesn't seem to be very open-minded about new policies (like adopting out pit bulls). You can't continue to do things the same old way and expect change. I think Scott Newman has a bunch of good ideas and knows how to organize things. I hope he is able to get the things done he is talking about because it would make a huge difference.
I think the workers are just overwhelmed and underpaid. That doesn't excuse certain behaviors, but people do all kind of things under stress that they wouldn't normally do. I wish I had enough money so I could quit working and volunteer all my time. I'd be down there helping them out. The lottery didn't come through again this week. :(

I thought about going to the orientation meeting next month to be a volunteer. I'm supposed to go to the one at the Hamilton County Shelter but I thought the animals at IACC really need the help but after reading some of the accounts from volunteers at IACC on Connie's blog I don't know if I could do it. The one and only time I've been there I got in trouble with a staff member.

Isn't it hard to decide where to volunteer?! I have been through the orientation at IACC and do help them with some events. It takes me over 1/2 an hour to get to the shelter, so I hardly go there anymore. I do try to help with offsite events when I can. I decided to volunteer at the Hamilton County shelter because it is closer and I really love all the people who work there. They need help just like IACC, so wherever you decide to volunteer you're helping animals! I know IACC is worse off, but if Hamilton County had no one to help they couldn't do as well as they do. I agree more closely with the philosophy at Hamilton County, and that is really important to me when I'm working somewhere. I REALLY like their director. She did our orientation and helped at the fairgrounds with offsite adoption. She's not afraid to jump in and do the work!

Speaking of jumping in and doing work, IACC is lucky to have Adam, the volunteer coordinator. He busts his butt! If it were not for him, I don't think they would have as many volunteers as they do. I don't put in many hours with them, but he is always so cool and appreciative. He stays so cheerful too. He rocks!!

I have such nightmares after going there. Seeing how they handle some of those poor animals take so much out of me.
I know they are understaffed, but maybe they could utilize front desk staff to help out in the back, Instead of them sitting and doing little of nothing, they seem so interrupted when you arrive, because they are busy playing games on the puter or planning a get together, while the unanswered phone rings off the hook & you stand waiting.
I hate that place.
I have to admit since HSI stopped excepting lost pups, I turn them in to another shelter/rescue so they don't go to that rude nasty place of death. Why not give court ordered community service people a option to help as well. People don't want to volunteer where death is always the first option.

I like your idea of community service if they could be screened for any animal cruelty/domestic violence in their past. I am SO disheartened to hear about the results of the "investigation."

After reading this, I have lost faith again with the care of animals in shelters.

The timing for me to read this was not good. I just buried a squirrel that was hit and killed in front of my house. Now I'm thinking about the poor little kitten and puppy. I understand the death of the squirrel but the death of the kitten and this puppy is unacceptable.

I need to go give my Daisy a hug....

I think people can do community service there. You can do that at the FACE clinic too.

I called IACC yesterday and was transferred to the Mayor's action line. Makes me wonder what the front office staff does all day if they aren't assisting the citizans that are paying them. why transfer someone to another department and pay that wage when that money could go to help in so many other ways. Like paying our ACO's more money or even hiring more help. Also how about some workshops on the benefits of altering pets.

Was it a concern you were trying to address? Maybe we should start a letter with signatures for the Mayor so that more can be done?

How does this make me feel? What's the emotional step lower than despair?

Surely someone is answerable to all of this .. the mayor??? It is very frustrating :

The mayor and the city council would be over IACC. Public Safety Director Scott Newman is over the shelter, then the mayor and city council. I have emailed Mr. Newman inviting him to read IndyPaws and letting him know this is a good place to see what animals lovers are saying, but he did not respond.

Have the mayor and city council been approached ,bombarded with letters? ( I hate to be ignorant but I have only been here 4 years and really only know Hamilton County ) Just wondering what it would take to see a real major change.

You are certainly NOT ignorant! :)
I have never gone to the council, although I know some of my friends have discussed it. I think everyone was kind of hoping that with Scott Newman stepping up and being present at the meetings that might make a difference, but if it doesn't then I do think some people will probably try going before the City Council.