Indianapolis Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Use this Indianapolis animal-help dashboard to adopt from Indianapolis Animal Care Services, check adoption hours, report lost/found pets, understand the $60 ordinance fee rule, use RequestIndy for animal concerns, and find the new shelter location on Raymond Street.
2026 move update: Indianapolis Animal Care Services opened its new shelter to the public at 5001 E. Raymond St. in May 2026. Old Harding Street details may still appear online, so use the Raymond Street address for current IACS planning.
Official/pro source checked
Last verified: August 12, 2026. This page uses Indy.gov, Indianapolis-Marion County ordinance, Adopt-a-Pet, Petfinder, Chewy shelter listing and 2026 local reporting for the new shelter move.
New shelter address
The current shelter planning address is 5001 E Raymond St. Avoid old online references to 2600 S Harding St unless an official page specifically tells you otherwise.
No fake data added
No fake ratings, fake reviews, fake staff names, unverified reclaim fee, or BreadcrumbList schema are included in this WordPress Custom HTML.
Choose What You Need
2026 New Shelter Update
This is the Indianapolis-specific detail many old directory pages miss.
New Raymond Street facility
Indianapolis Animal Care Services opened the new shelter to the public at 5001 E. Raymond St. in May 2026.
Old address warning
If another website sends you to the former Harding Street shelter, verify directly with IACS before driving.
Adoption and control together
IACS functions as both an adoption shelter and the enforcement agency for animal-related laws in Indianapolis/Marion County.
Clickable Indianapolis Animal Help Cards
Tap the matching action. Each card gives the safest official or professional next step.
Adoption Shelter vs Animal Control
Indianapolis is simpler than many cities because IACS handles both sheltering and animal-control functions.
| Need | Best route | Phone / link | Use for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet | IACS adoption route | Adopt a Pet | Available animals, adoption application and shelter visit planning. |
| Check live pet listings | Adopt-a-Pet / Petfinder | Adopt-a-Pet | Current posted pets, photos and basic profiles. |
| Lost or found animal | IACS / lost-pet tools | 317-327-1397 | Lost/found resource, shelter checks and owner-reunion steps. |
| Animal law, neglect, nuisance, stray or aggressive animal | RequestIndy / IACS enforcement | RequestIndy | Non-emergency animal ordinance issues and field officer routing. |
| Immediate emergency | Emergency services | 911 | Immediate danger to people, serious injury or urgent public-safety threat. |
Who to Call First
Use this before driving, applying, holding a found animal, or reporting a problem.
| Situation | Call / click | What to say | Next micro-step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adopt a pet today | 317-327-1397 | “Is [pet name/ID] still available and should I complete the pre-adoption application first?” | Check Adopt-a-Pet/Petfinder, then go during current public adoption hours. |
| Questions about an application | adoptions@indy.gov | “I submitted/want to submit an application for [pet name/ID]. What is the next step?” | Keep pet ID, your contact info and visit time ready. |
| Lost pet | IACS | “My pet is missing near [cross streets]. Has a matching animal been brought in?” | Search 24PetConnect/PawBoost and post clear photos locally. |
| Found animal | IACS or RequestIndy | “I found an animal at [exact location]. I can/cannot safely hold it.” | Try owner-reunion steps first if safe; ask IACS for intake/report instructions. |
| Animal neglect, cruelty, nuisance or stray complaint | RequestIndy | “This is a non-emergency animal concern at [address/location].” | Include photos, exact address, time observed and repeat-issue details. |
| Aggressive animal or immediate danger | 911 | “There is an immediate animal-related danger at [location].” | Stay away from the animal and wait for instructions. |
| Foster help | Foster form | “I can foster [dog/cat/other] and have [space/time/experience].” | Submit the official form and watch for shelter follow-up. |
Indianapolis Animal Shelter Adoption Hours
Professional shelter listings show walk-up adoptions daily from 12pm to 7pm. Because special events, capacity and staffing can change, verify before driving.
| Day | Adoption hours listed | Best action | Why verify? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12pm-7pm | Check live pet listings, then visit. | Pet availability can change quickly. |
| Tuesday | 12pm-7pm | Complete pre-adoption application first if possible. | Application may speed the process. |
| Wednesday | 12pm-7pm | Good mid-week adoption check. | Confirm any special event or closure. |
| Thursday | 12pm-7pm | Call or check listings before leaving. | Shelter capacity and animal status may change. |
| Friday | 12pm-7pm | Arrive earlier for popular pets. | Weekend demand can start early. |
| Saturday | 12pm-7pm | Expect more visitors; bring pet ID/name. | Special fee-waiver events may affect traffic. |
| Sunday | 12pm-7pm | Check listings and call if unsure. | Events and capacity can affect availability. |
Adoption Fee Rule and What to Confirm
Indianapolis-Marion County ordinance gives the base fee rule, but special events may lower or waive fees.
$60 ordinance fee
The ordinance says a person adopting an animal from the animal care services shelter shall pay a $60 adoption fee.
Special events may lower fees
The ordinance allows lower fees for approved special events, specific circumstances and limited periods. Always check the current adoption event before assuming the final amount.
Spay/neuter + microchip
The ordinance says a dog or cat available for adoption must be spayed/neutered and microchipped before being released to an adopter.
Adoption Micro-Steps
Follow this order to reduce wait time and avoid wrong-address or old-listing mistakes.
Open live listings
Check the IACS Adopt-a-Pet and Petfinder listings. Screenshot the pet name, ID, photo and profile notes.
Submit pre-adoption application
Use the Indy.gov pre-adoption application if available. Professional listing notes say this can help speed the process at the shelter.
Confirm today’s status
Call 317-327-1397 or email adoptions@indy.gov if you need to confirm a specific pet.
Go to the current address
Use 5001 E Raymond St, not older Harding Street listings, unless IACS gives a different instruction.
Bring basics
Bring photo ID, payment method, leash/carrier, household decision-makers if needed, and landlord approval if renting.
Ask the first-week questions
Ask about feeding, medical notes, microchip, spay/neuter status, vaccines, behavior, kids, other pets and decompression plan.
Lost or Found Pet in Indianapolis
Use IACS, online lost/found databases, social posts and microchip checks together.
If your pet is lost
- Call IACS at 317-327-1397.
- Search 24PetConnect for found animals housed at shelters.
- Check PawBoost and local lost/found pet posts.
- Post a clear photo with cross streets, date/time and contact method.
- Update your pet’s microchip contact information immediately.
- Search close: porches, garages, under vehicles, alleys and nearby yards.
- Contact nearby shelters and vet offices because pets can cross city lines.
If you found an animal
- If safe, move the animal away from traffic and keep it separate from your pets.
- Take photos before moving the animal far from the found location.
- Try to locate the owner before bringing the pet to the shelter when it is safe and realistic.
- Call IACS at 317-327-1397 for current intake/report instructions.
- Use RequestIndy for non-emergency animal service requests.
- Have the animal scanned for a microchip by a shelter or veterinary office if safe.
- Do not privately rehome a found pet before the owner has a fair chance to reclaim it.
Report Animal Neglect, Loose Animals or Nuisance Issues
For non-emergency animal concerns, use RequestIndy so the issue has location details and can route to the correct city service.
Exact location
Include the address, cross streets, apartment/lot details, or the nearest landmark. “Near me” is not enough for field response.
Photo evidence
Use photos or video when safe. Do not trespass or put yourself at risk to collect evidence.
Emergency exception
Use 911 for immediate danger, active attack, serious injury or urgent public-safety situations.
Surrender, Foster, Volunteer and Owner Help
Because IACS takes in stray and rescued animals and capacity can change, do not treat surrender as an instant drop-off. Use official contact routes first.
Owner surrender question
Call 317-327-1397 or use the current Indy.gov/IACS contact route before bringing an owned pet.
Foster
Use the official Apply to Foster an Animal form if you can temporarily house a shelter pet.
Volunteer / support
IACS has volunteer and community support routes. Ask about dog walking, enrichment, transport, events, supplies and urgent shelter needs.
Before You Leave Home
Pet screenshot, pre-application, ID, payment method, carrier/leash, landlord approval.
Recent photo, microchip number, collar/tag details, exact cross streets and search radius.
Photos, found location/time, safe containment, microchip scan plan and IACS guidance.
Address, photos, time observed, repeat pattern, safety risk and RequestIndy report details.
Copy/Paste Call Scripts
Adoption
Hi, I am interested in [pet name/ID]. Is this animal still available, and should I complete the pre-adoption application before coming in?Lost pet
Hi, my [dog/cat] is missing near [cross streets]. Description: [color/size/collar/microchip]. Has a matching animal been brought to IACS?Found animal
Hi, I found a [dog/cat/other] near [exact location]. The animal is [safe/injured/aggressive]. I can/cannot safely hold it. What should I do next?Animal concern
Hi, I need to report a non-emergency animal concern at [address]. The issue is [neglect/loose animal/noise/stray/aggressive behavior]. I have photos and dates.Map: Indianapolis Animal Care Services
Use this map for the new IACS shelter location. Call first if you are handling a found animal, an owned-pet surrender question, or a specific adoptable pet.
Official and Professional Links
The key details are summarized above. Use these links for live pets, official forms, reports and final verification.
Indianapolis Animal Shelter FAQ
What is the main animal shelter in Indianapolis?
The main municipal animal shelter is Indianapolis Animal Care Services, commonly called IACS.
Where is Indianapolis Animal Care Services located in 2026?
Current professional listings and 2026 reporting place Indianapolis Animal Care Services at 5001 E Raymond St, Indianapolis, IN 46203.
What is the Indianapolis Animal Care Services phone number?
The listed phone number for Indianapolis Animal Care Services is 317-327-1397.
What are Indianapolis Animal Shelter adoption hours?
Professional shelter listings show walk-up adoptions daily from 12pm to 7pm. Always check the official adoption page or call before driving because events, staffing and animal availability can change.
How much does it cost to adopt from Indianapolis Animal Care Services?
Indianapolis-Marion County ordinance lists a $60 adoption fee for animals adopted from the animal care services shelter, while approved special events or limited periods may lower or waive fees.
Are IACS dogs and cats spayed or neutered before adoption?
The ordinance says dogs and cats available for adoption must be spayed or neutered and microchipped before being released to an adopter.
How can I speed up an Indianapolis animal adoption?
Check the live pet listings, screenshot the pet name or ID, complete the IACS pre-adoption application, then verify the pet’s status before visiting the shelter.
What should I do if I lost a pet in Indianapolis?
Call IACS, search 24PetConnect and PawBoost, post clear photos with cross streets, update microchip contact details and contact nearby shelters or vet offices.
What should I do if I found a pet in Indianapolis?
If safe, keep the animal away from traffic, take photos, try to locate the owner, call IACS for current guidance and use RequestIndy for non-emergency animal service requests.
Who enforces animal-control laws in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis Animal Care Services is the animal-control and enforcement agency for animal-related laws in Indianapolis and Marion County. Use RequestIndy for non-emergency concerns and call 911 for immediate danger.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.