Indianapolis — A dog surrendered to the city shelter by his family on October 11 has found a new home in time for the holidays.
Call 6 Investigates told you about Zena, one of the 14,000 animals that came into the shelter in 2018, as part of our special report on the city’s animal overpopulation problem.
In an emotional moment, Zena’s owner and two children left Zena at the shelter, they but told staff they’d come back to get her if the shelter had to euthanize her.
READ | Indianapolis animal overpopulation problem strains resources, workers
Indianapolis Animal Care Services spokeswoman Kristen Lee said a new family adopted Zena at the end of November.
“We really pushed to get her out into a loving home,” said Lee. “After running your story she got adopted, so that's wonderful and amazing. It was really heartwarming in a home especially since we got to follow her journey."
Zena gets to spend her Christmas out of the city shelter.
Every day, people line up at the back of the city shelter to surrender unwanted dogs and cats and it’s up to the city and your tax dollars to care for them.
Indianapolis Animal Care Services is desperate to find homes in time for Christmas for the more than 800 animals in their care.
“The kennels are cold, and we don’t want the animals spend Christmas in there,” said Lee. “It’s not what they want on Christmas. They want to be in a home with you.
Unfortunately, times are tough financially during the holidays, so many families are surrendering their animals.
“We only have four empty dog kennels right now,” said Lee.
Indianapolis Animal Care Services is running its Home for the Pawlidays campaign for the entire month of December, which includes adoption fees for just $5.
“We also have 12 featured dogs and cats that are waived adoption fees,” said Lee. “That includes their spay, neuter, vaccinations and everything else."
The shelter is open Saturday December 22 and Sunday December 23 from 10 am to 6 pm.
They are located at 2600 S Harding St in Indianapolis.
The shelter is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and is closed Wednesdays, but they are open Thursday December 27 from 10 am to 7 pm.
IACS is also open from 10 am to 6 pm on December 28, 29, 30 and 31.
They’re closed on New Year’s Day.
All of IACS’ adoptable animals can be viewed online here .
If you don’t want to adopt, the shelter is also looking for help in the form of fosters and volunteers to help walk dogs, feed animals and help clean the shelter.
For more information on IACS’s programs and services, please visit www.indy.gov/acs .
If you are considering surrendering your pet, please consider alternative options. Indy CARES is a not-for-profit program run by IACS staff and volunteers. Learn how they can help here.
