An article posted yesterday on IndyStar.com reported on the work being done to improve the quality of life of stray dogs and cats in the Indianapolis area. The article also discusses how the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control shelter has made changes to help reduce the euthanasia rate in their care over the last few years.

According to the article, the rate of animals released alive by the shelter went up from 39% in 2008 to almost 49% in 2011, and has risen even higher over the last few months.

The article takes a look at the history of the shelter and the issues it has faced over the years, including the fact that 8,147 animals had to be euthanized last year because of space limitations or other reasons, including sickness or age.

The article also details the efforts being taken to lower that number by Mayor Ballard, the Indianapolis/Marion County City-County Council, and the Humane Society of Indianapolis, which focus on three primary areas:

1. Raising money to help promote spay and neuter programs by charging residents of other counties a $40.00 drop-off fee for unwanted animals.
    
2. The Humane Society of Indianapolis plans to open a low-cost vaccinations clinic inside the new Westside Animal Welfare Center in July, expanding access to basic shots needed to keep pets healthy.
    
3. A $750,000 fundraising campaign to add low-cost spay and neutering services at the Animal Welfare Center, with a goal of 10,000 sterilization surgeries a year within the first three years if they are successful in raising the needed start-up costs.

We encourage everyone to help reduce euthanasia rate, and do what you can to help in this effort to improve the lives of all Indianapolis-area dogs and cats.