03/14/2025
On 3/10/25, Nala, Flubber, and Buffy three sweet dogs, were spayed and neutered at the Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic in Brownsburg amongst 22 others. That same evening, they were euthanized by IACS due to the excuse of "space" and "kennel stress." There were no issues with these dogs while they were in our care, and from what we’ve heard from multiple sources, they were only at IACS for a short time.
These dogs were easy to love and with wonderful personalities. Yet, IACS made no effort to post any deadlines or give these dogs a chance. They were never given the opportunity they deserved. When our transport driver, Ashley, brought them back to the shelter after surgery, an IACS staff member told her that Quintin, who had just undergone double entropion surgery, was going to be euthanized. This is absolutely heartbreaking. Ashley left the shelter in tears and was physically shaken knowing what his fate would be after caring for him through his time with us. This may be an everyday occurrence for the individual at IACS that told Ashley this, but our staff member had to witness this after taking the time to load the dogs on the van, to bring them to the clinic for surgery, to check them in with a doctor, to evaluate if they are healthy enough for surgery, to walk outside them multiple times, to lovingly monitor them during the surgery, and to sit with them on the floor as they recover. Just looking into their eyes it was easy to fall in love.
We’re doing everything we can to help these animals by performing as many spays and neuters as possible, only for them to be put down the same day. The lack of communication and transparency from IACS is unacceptable. These animals deserved so much more.
This is a tragic reminder of how broken the animal welfare and shelter system is in Indianapolis. We pour countless resources into saving these animals, only for them to die due to "space" and "kennel stress." The system is failing these dogs, and it's heartbreaking to watch innocent lives lost in this way. No animal should be killed in this situation. It's time for real change in how shelters operate, and how animals are treated. We must demand more accountability and a compassionate system that gives every animal a real chance at life.
Our hearts are also breaking for the staff and volunteers at IACS that feel helpless. The management at the shelter has to be held responsible for these animals’ lives. The method of managed intake is making our job as a lost cost high volume spay neuter clinic even more difficult. There dogs are being turned away daily to go back to living on the streets with the risk of starving, being hurt, or even worse, killed, all while reproducing attributing to the unwanted pet overpopulation.
Tammy Sollenberger
Executive Director
The Low Cost Spay Neuter Clinic is not for profit organization located in Noblesville & Brownsburg
