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Hamilton Co Humane Society has open cages thanks to successful Black Friday event

County struggles with animal overpopulation
Posted at 12:44 PM, Nov 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-26 14:26:34-05

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ind. — The Humane Society of Hamilton County has some open cages Monday thanks to a successful Black Friday adoption event that aimed to free space in the overcrowded facility.

President Rebecca Stevens said 54 cats and 17 dogs were adopted Friday, as well as another 11 animals that were placed in foster homes.

That’s a significant increase from the 50 animals adopted at the same event in 2017.

Stevens credited coverage from RTV6 for boosting adoption numbers and raising awareness about animal overpopulation.

As Call 6 Investigates reported Friday, Hamilton County is also grappling with too many unwanted pets, much like Marion County.

On Black Friday, the Humane Society of Hamilton County offered an adoption special from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. which included $5 adoptions for adult pets and $20 for kittens under the age of 6 months.

READ | Indianapolis animal overpopulation problem strains resources, workers

Call 6 Investigates told you earlier this month about Indianapolis Animal Care Services—their shelter is so overcapacity, they’re using temporary cages and they’ve euthanized hundreds of adoptable animals for behavioral reasons.

In addition to caring for animals from Hamilton County, the Humane Society also helps Indianapolis by pulling dogs and cats out of the city shelter — often taking the ones no one wants, including the sick and old, like a 10-year-old beagle named Mia than came from IACS with ear infections.

"When you come out and adopt from us, you're opening up cages not just for Hamilton County animals but you're opening up the cages for the ones who are at the greatest risk for euthanasia in Indianapolis and other area shelters," Stevens said.

Thankfully, Mia was placed in a new home as a result of the Black Friday event.

In our investigation, Call 6 Investigates showed pet owners lining up to surrender animals in Marion County—mostly for financial reasons.

Stevens sees the same thing in Hamilton County. 

If you can’t adopt, you can help the animal overpopulation in other ways:  donate money to a shelter, foster an animal, volunteer to walk dogs at a shelter, and spay/neuter your animals.

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