January 26, 2021 - Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control expanded its life-saving efforts in 2020 addressing barriers to pet ownership that often lead to the surrendering of pets.
Launched in September, the donor-funded Pet Behavior Help program has already connected nearly 200 pet owners with a certified dog trainer to work through behavioral issues in the home.
In November the shelter hosted its first ever drive-thru Rabies vaccine clinic, providing basic veterinary care to more than 120 dogs and cats in our community.
As the largest open access animal shelter in Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control has made great strides to break down barriers to pet ownership and save the lives of thousands of animals in our community over the past decade. Community-focused programming has contributed to 5,700 fewer animals coming to the shelter last year compared to 2010. Ultimately, the live release rate of animals that have come to the shelter has increased by more than 53 percent (2010 live release rate: 29.67% / 2020 live release rate: 83%) thanks to the public’s endless support and devotion to helping the animals in our community. To see more 10-year comparisons visit fwacc.org.
In 2021, FWACC will continue to address community needs and expand life-saving efforts to help keep pets in their homes and out of the shelter.
Animal Care 2020 Statistics:
- 8,008 animals came to the shelter in 2020
- 1,768 animals returned to their owners
- 1,501 animals surrendered to the shelter by their owners
- 1,104 animals transferred to rescues/ other shelters
- 861 Community Cats returned to colonies
- 2,493 animals adopted
- 1,236 animals sent to foster homes
- 217 active foster families
- 7,918 volunteer hours
- 308 active volunteers
- 1,708 animals euthanized at owner’s request and for medical or behavioral reasons
- 0 animals euthanized for lack of space at the shelter
- $15,000 grant from Best Friends Animal Society to purchase supplies to send with foster animals
- $3,444 grant from Oxbow Enterprises to improve the small animal adoption program
- FWACC received a $50,000 grant from Petco Foundation to purchase an x-ray machine to address medical needs in-house
Community Outreach Data and Highlights from 2020:
- Animal Control Officers responded to 17,885 calls of service
- Animal Control Officers responded to 871 calls of suspected animal cruelty and neglect
- 124 animals received Rabies vaccines at our first drive-thru clinic
- 193 pet owners participated in the Pet Behavior Help program
27% of pet owners who made appointments to surrender their pet decided to keep their pet or rehome outside of the shelter after receiving services through FWACC’s pet retention program.