MOU between IACC & HSI
On March 9, 2008, IACC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Humane Society of Indianapolis to expand the cooperative relationship between the two agencies and allow them to serve the homeless pets in the city as one population. As a part of the follow-up to that MOU, we are tracking our intake numbers and doing everything we can to keep the public informed about any successes or failures we have on this journey.
Timeline of MOU progress
ü March 9, 2008: Indianapolis Animal Care & Control and the Humane Society of Indianapolis sign a Memorandum of Understanding to expand the cooperative relationship between the two agencies and better serve the people and animals in Indianapolis.
ü March 10, 2008: Work began to streamline intake and transfer procedures. We established a mutually acceptable procedure for the selection and transfer of animals from IACC to the Humane Society. We also began work on a puppy isolation area that would allow more puppies to be transferred from IACC to HSI.
ü March & April: Meetings to address issues and find efficiencies occur weekly between the two agencies.
ü April 2008: Improved the procedure for the intake of stray animals at HSI by IACC.
ü April 2008: Work begins on task force.
Numerical Comparison for March 2007 to March 2008, weekly
Ø Week One **
o Intake up by 46 animals
o Owner Surrenders down by 1 animal
o Stray intake down by 46 animals
Ø Week Two
o Intake down by 7 animals
o Owner Surrenders down by 10 animals
o Stray intake up by 28 animals
Ø Week Three
o Intake down by 60 animals
o Owner Surrenders down by 17 animals
o Stray intake down by 22 animals
Ø Week Four
o Intake down by 53 animals
o Owner Surrenders down by 11 animals
o Stray intake down by 18 animals
**THE MOU WAS NOT SIGNED UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF WEEK TWO**
Memorandum of understanding
WHEREAS the Humane Society of Indianapolis ("HSI") is a not-for-profit, Indiana corporation dedicated to providing shelter and comfort to animals in need of loving, lifetime homes, and;
WHEREAS, Indianapolis Animal Care and Control ("IACC") is a Department of the consolidated City of Indianapolis /County of Marion, State of Indiana, committed to many goals and objectives similar to those of HSI, and in addition to the health and safety of the citizens of Indianapolis/Marion County and the humane care, treatment and placement of animals that come within its control; and
WHEREAS both parties hereto have recognized their mutual goals of preserving the lives of animals by promoting and/or preserving healthy relationships between people and animals; and
WHEREAS these mutual goals are best served by working in a coordinated fashion to reduce barriers and inefficiencies that impair the ability of both organizations to increase adoptions, and/or the restoration of animals to their guardians; and
WHEREAS an analysis of the patterns of animal movement at both facilities demonstrated the value of treating the animal population from a combined intake process community-wide, making better use of available resources to maximize every homeless animal's potential for survival and placement in a forever home;
NOW, THEREFORE the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. To the extent practicable, beginning with the animal intake function, the parties, their agents, and their respective staff members will coordinate and conform their standards, practices and working relationships to maximize the placement of animals in caring and responsible homes;
2. This collaboration will also include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. The development and implementation of a convenient procedure for citizens who find stray animals to bring them to the Humane Society of Indianapolis for intake and transfer to Indianapolis Animal Care & Control;
b. Creation of a communications plan to render any pet owner considering surrendering his or her pet to either facility aware of the counseling resources available through the Humane Society of Indianapolis;
c. The immediate formation of a joint Working Group to identify and implement methods for increasing the rate at which stray animals are reunited with their owners;
d. As the initial phases of the above-described plan are being executed, plan and schedule an outside review of kennel operations at ACC, by acknowledged animal experts qualified by formal education or experience to review such matters;
e. Increased emphasis on housing homeless animals at the location best suited to meet each animal's needs:
i. Establishment of additional programs which will reduce the overlap of functions between the parties and/or enhance their capabilities;
ii. Continued analysis of the community's animal welfare needs, addressing the effective engagement of ancillary animal welfare organizations capable of assisting both parties in achieving their goals as stated above;
3. The process of reducing barriers and inefficiencies is evolutionary and will require an on-going commitment of the leadership and rank-and-file employees of both organizations to ensure the maximum number of animal lives are preserved and the greatest number of citizens are provided service.
Signed this 9th day of March, in the year 2008.
_________________________________ _________________________
Steve Talley, Administrator Martha Boden, Chief Executive Officer
Indianapolis Animal Care & Control Humane Society of Indianapolis