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| The mission of Move to ACT is to heighten community awareness of animal welfare issues and to advocate for improved policies and practices. MtA seeks truth and responsibility and is guided by principles of respect, accountability and integrity. |
#1. Educating the public — How do you choose a charity you can trust? |
When you donate to a charity, you want to know your money is being used responsibly to support the cause. Click here for a list of ways to find out whether the animal service organization that wants your money is really using it for the animals. |
#2. Promoting open disclosure of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control |
Indianapolis Animal Care and Control has been the classic, broken municipal animal care and control system for years, ignored by politicians and using tax-payer money to be killing 60% of the animals who come through it's doors to be hauled off in dump trucks like garbage. Turning a blind eye to unacceptable conditions has been common place until recently when members of the public witnessed and filed a complaint to the IACC Advisory board on August 19, 2008 regarding care and treatment violations within the facility. An investigation by 2 independent investigators substantiated these citizen complaints of care and treatment violations and documented in their report. These findings led to the September 11th resignation announcement of administrator Steve Talley who denied wrongdoing. Safety Director Scott Newman who oversees IACC, appointed the IACC advisory board to act as the search committee to find a replacement for Talley. Said Newman, “We have a strong desire to hire someone recognized for professionalism in the field.” After the Talley resignation there was announcement and agency claims of improved conditions, however reports of a dog dying from being darted and receiving no veterinary attention per protocol and a parvo positive dog being housed in the general kennel population followed. To date the public has seen no action to address these concerns, however, new leadership is on the horizon: Doug Rae to lead city's troubled division. For the first time in its history, Indianapolis Animal Care and Control has hired an experienced professional for its administrative position. Doug Rae comes to Indianapolis with five years of animal sheltering experience and several years of corporate management. Mr. Rae, most recently chief operating officer at a Philadelphia shelter, received a unanimous vote of recommendation from the Animal Care and Control Advisory Board on December 10th. Safety Director Scott Newman acknowledged the board's recommendation and announced to the city Rae's appointment on Monday December 15th, 2008. The city's historically broken system welcomes this new direction for the agency. Rae's goal of reducing the animal death toll to 20% from its current 60% will be made easier with the anticipated cooperation of the multiple organizations that have been frustrated with the agency's prior practice of working with rescues and volunteers on a prejudicial basis. Reference: Letter of Grievance, Investigative Report |
| #3. Promoting new leadership at HSI |
As you are probably now aware the Humane Society of Indianapolis has a new executive director, John Aleshire. We are very hopeful that the path Mr. Aleshire is taking HSI will lead to a greater animal shelter than the north west side and our city as a whole has ever experienced. In his few months at the shelter he has made some policy changes that we would like to share with the community. Just last spring under the direction of the previous leadership the shelter closed it’s doors to stray animals being accepted and owner surrenders being turned away without having scheduled an appointment. These are not the kind of policies that help the animals nor serve the community. Mr. Aleshire has changed those policies as noted below along with a few others. We are hopeful that the shelter will continue to raise the bar on it’s own performance and service to the community.
INDIANAPOLIS (November 25, 2008) - John Aleshire, executive director of the Humane Society of Indianapolis (HSI), announced this morning the appointment of Christine Jeschke as director of operations. Reference: History |
| #4. Making spay-neuter services affordable and providing information about available services |
Where is the nearest affordable vet? Do the costs for spaying or neutering your pet vary from one vet to another? Are there additional charges? Click here for information about spay/neuter services and a comparison of charges from vets throughout Marion County. |




