Q. At what age can a student join the ACT program?
A. A student can become an ACT when they turn 13 years of age and they can continue in the program through age 17.

Q. Can students who want to stay past age 17 remain in the program?
A. No. A student who turns 18 will be allowed to finish the year, but will be ineligible to join the following year. The age restriction insures that there is no greater than a five year span between the youngest and the oldest students. Additionally, it allows for students who are on our waiting list to move into the program as others graduate out.

Q. Can parents and siblings stay for the meetings?
A. No. The ACT program is just for teens. Parents are welcome to wait in our lobby or in their vehicles, but should not attend the meeting or enter the animal adoption areas with the students. This encourages students to make new friends, while allowing are staff to focus on the needs of student in the program.

Q. What happens if a student must miss several meetings due to school activities?
A. We understand the busy schedules of students, so we encourage them to attend as they are able. A student who knows they will routinely miss meetings should not run for office in the program, as officers do need to attend regularly to conduct activities.

Q. What leadership opportunities are there for ACT students?
A. Each spring, we hold elections for officers who will serve during the following fall-spring term. A student in good standing may run for President, Vice-president of Programming, Vice-president of Administration, Historian or Secretary. Select students who have completed one year in ACTs may serve on the President's Council the following year to assist will special activities and to "try-on" leadership.

Q. How can a student earn a hands-on assignment outside of ACT meetings?
A. Students in the ACT program are not volunteers. They may however earn a hands-on experience working alongside volunteers when they turn 15 and have proven to be a responsible member of the ACT program. Only those who are able to master safe animal handling skills are eligible once a hands-on position is available.

ACT Safety Conduct
ACTs are held to a high standard of conduct for the safety of participants and the safety of the animals in our care. Any student who repeatedly disregards safety rules such as opening animal cages without permission, entering areas that are off limits or going inside the cage of a dog will be excused from the program. ACT fees will not be refunded.

The Animal Care Teens inclement weather policy is as follows:
If the Fort Wayne Community Schools close due to inclement weather or if the Mayor declares a snow emergency on a scheduled ACT meeting night, the Animal Care Teens will also be cancelled. When there is a school delay, Animal Care Teens will meet at the regularly scheduled time.

Adoption Lobby Hours:

12:00 - 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
12:00 - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. First Saturday of each month

Closed Mondays FOR ADOPTIONS
To submit a pet adoption profile, you must do so 15-minutes before closing to allow sufficient time for processing.

Adoptions number:

260-427-5502


Business Office Hours (lost & found pets, citations, or other law enforcement concerns):

11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Mon-Fri
CLOSED Saturday & Sunday


Animal Control Officer Assistance
260-427-1244
9am-8pm Monday - Friday
After 8pm, weekend & holidays,
call 260-449-3000

After Hours / Immediate Officer Assistance:
1:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. Emergencies
260-449-3000


General Contact Information:
Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control
3020 Hillegas Road
Fort Wayne IN 46808
260-427-1244
After 8 p.m. and on weekends and holidays, call 449-3000 for assistance.
Fax: 260-427-5514


It is our mission to serve our community in a humane, public safety capacity while working to keep pets with loving families by providing education opportunities and resources or facilitating re-homing or adoption when necessary.

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