Habitat for Dogmanity provides opportunities to help the homeless and/ or outdoor living animals in Indianapolis and the surrounding community. We work with local animal welfare organizations to supplement their efforts to improve the life of these animals. Groups we work with include:
FIDO www.indyfido.org works within Marion County, especially in low income, high crime areas. FIDO’s mission is to help owners find alternatives to continuous chaining as a method of dog containment. FIDO volunteers offer guidance and temporary assistance to owners who are willing to work alongside them to improve their dogs’ quality of life.
Habitat for Dogmanity was initially created to organize “build days” to construct sturdy wooden dog houses for dogs that live outside 24 hours a day. The template for the houses was meticulously designed by FIDO member Marie Koenig who also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. These houses provide protection for the outdoor dog from the various harsh elements of the Indiana climate. In 2010, we hope to build 100-120 houses.
Indianapolis Animal Care and Control (IACC) is the city-run animal shelter. IACC has served as host to our building sessions. IACC is responsible for collecting and housing the homeless, neglected and abused animals of our city. They also are the arm of the Dept. of Public Safety charged with protecting the public from animal related issues. IACC houses 400-500 animals at any given time. In 2009, IACC recieved over 16,500 animals but had to euthanize almost 10,000 of those animals. They work with a “shoestring” staff and made almost 32,000 service calls. IACC also has many wonderful adoptable dogs and cats–a secret too well kept!
Habitat for Dogmanity has helped with basic landscaping needs around the outdoor kennel areas. In 2010, our wish is to create a fitness and walking path (for Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound) around the perimeter of IACC to provide additional options for the activity and exercise needs for the animals. In addition to IACC, we hope to extend a similar program to the grounds of the Humane Society of Indianapolis (www.indyhumane.org) , the second largest animal shelter of Indianapolis.
Habitat for Catmanity is the latest initiative in our effort to help outdoor animals. In November of 2009, we turned out our first load of feeding stations for Indyferal www.indyferal.org. Indyferal offers Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and colony management assistance for stray and feral cats in central Indiana. Indyferal has been extremely successful in reducing the number of roaming unaltered cats and their volunteer caretakers manage over 2500 cat colonies,
The feeding stations will be used by Indyferal caretakers to provide food for the feral cats while protecting the food and the cats from the elements of the weather. Many, many stations are needed to provide safe feeding areas for the cats.
In addition to the feeding stations, we have started on cat shelters (designed by Alley Cat Allies) to provide safe living areas for the cats as well. Initially we will provide shelters as part of a new project to assist Indyferal in managing and caring for the free-roaming cats on the grounds of IACC.